From the days when metal was happy to be heavy and not nu comes a collection which would certainly keep Tommy Vance happy. Nigel Bell Kids of today eh, wandering around with their Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park T-shirts. Where do they get all this rebelliousness from? Probably their parents or maybe even their grandparents. Scary thought. But the old stagers of this compilation – Free, Sabbath, Purple – were plying their trade some 30 years ago. Their original fans are pushing mid to late 50s. Fast forward 10 years and hidden in a cupboard somewhere there’ll be a crusty denim jacket with Quo and Rainbow patches lovingly sown on. If these images revive memories, or if you just want to show the grandkiddies where Fred Durst learnt his trade, then treat them to Rock Monsters. Pretty much every hardy rock band is here, although a quick scan reveals the mighty omission of Led Zeppelin and even Sheffield’s finest, Def Leppard (and AC/DC and Saxon...). That aside Queen duel with Hawkwind who spar with Rush who clash with Ram Jam. It’s nice to see hard workers Uriah Heep and Magnum get an outing (but no Little Angels). Question’s must be asked about the inclusion of Goth favourites The Cult and veteran punk Iggy Pop. But overall this is a fine collection, albeit with few surprises. Rock Monsters is released on Universal Music TV 583 414-2. 
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