Is this ever cool. This set bills itself as the
World's Greatest Metal Tribute to Led Zeppelin. Can you think of another one? It might be the only metal tribute record to
Led Zeppelin given its stature. What it contains are all the
Zep classics done by singers -- and others -- from '80s and '90s metal groups: Kevin Martin from
Candlebox;
Paul Di'Anno of
Iron Maiden;
Joe Leste from
Bang Tango;
Jizzy Pearl from
Ratt;
Kevin DuBrow from
Quiet Riot; a pair from
Kix; Marq Torien from
Bulletboys; and others, including
Mark Slaughter from Slaughter (of course) and
Fred Coury from
Cinderella, together doing a ripping read of "Rock and Roll." Musically, it's a gas. These folks are serious and even those who don't succeed entirely -- and who shall remain nameless because of their valiant efforts -- give listeners something to hear. This
Zep tribute is the catalyst that brings the great '80s and '90s metallers to the fore once again and makes listeners miss those bands more than ever. Even with its flaws, this is lots of fun. ~ Thom Jurek