Quite how we came by this album is a mystery but after listening to it, it’s clearly aimed at our readers so I can see the logic in sending us a copy. However, it is a compilation of tracks which (supposedly, as I have not seen the film) feature in the movie. Now compilations from films are commonplace, this is slightly different as it is genre specific, ie. Rock n Metal (Arguably more than one genre, but allow me the sweeping statement, this is difficult enough as it is!!) 

The film is a sword and sorcery affair which I guess lends itself a little easier to the chunky guitar than a RomCom with Sandra Bullock! 

Anyways, it features tracks from such rock luminaries as Hammerfall (The Fire Burns Forever), After Forever (Energize Me) and Nightwish (Amaranth), all original material but culled from previous releases. In fact all on show here are available elsewhere. It’s almost like a who’s who of melodic metal back catalogue. I suppose that to someone seeking a way in it’s not a bad idea to have a cross section of various bands on one CD. It must be an interesting film if the variety of rock is anything to go by. Disturbed (with a Genesis cover!), The Darkness, Pantera (Cemetary Gates, brill!) and Mastodon make an appearance, quite what Dimebag would make of it I would love to know.  The lovely HIM have also thrown Butterfly into the mix, and some reasonably hummable Threshold and Sonic Syndicate appear also.

Completed by tracks from Amorphis, Avantasia,  Soilwork, Epica and the rather excellent Dream Theater and couple from the “hey nonny nonny” Blind Guardian there is plenty to get your teeth into, whatever your leanings but I can’t help thinking that this is very much aimed at people who will maybe buy this for one or two tracks rather than the whole sweeping range of metaltastic meatiness on offer. The whole thing is dovetailed by score from the movie itself, a seemingly pointless exercise but one they do to remind you what the album is spawned from no doubt! 

So dunno who would buy this, but fair play, it’s not the worst compilation ever but rather an eclectic mix of bands who happen to have similar sounding tracks all on here. Delve deeper and the differences are plain to see, but here they do all dovetail fairly well.

Let us know your views on In The Name Of The King

Track Listing

Farmer´s Son / The Big Battle (film score)
Blind Guardian – Carry The Blessed Home
Hammerfall – The Fire Burns Forever
Nightwish – Amaranth
Him – Wings Of A Butterfly
Soninb Syndicate – Enclave
Amorphis – The White Swan
Avantasia – Lost In Space
The Darkness – Dinner Lady Arms
Disturbed – Land Of Confusion
After Forever – Energize Me
Dream Theater – I Walk Beside You
Threshold – Pilot In The Sky Of Dreams
Pantera – Cemetery Gates
Epica – Chasing The Dragon
Soilwork – Exile
Mastodon – The Wolf Is Loose
Muriella dining / Forrest (film score)