New Release Focus

Roadrunner United

This year was the 25th anniversary of the legendary metal and rock label, Roadrunner, and as part of their celebrations for this auspicious occasion they unleashed the Roadrunner United All-Stars project.

Boasting four supergroups - led by Team Captains: Joey Jordison (Slipknot); Dino Cazares (ex-Fear Factory); Robert Flynn (Machine Head); and Matt Heafy (Trivium) - and over 50 separate musicians, they created an album of original material designed to celebrate their collective achievements. And, of course, to hail the next quarter century of Roadrunner mayhem...

Mike Gitter of Roadrunner Records, New York, kindly took the time to answer a few gentle MILC questions...





MILC: "Roadrunner United, the 25th Anniversary 'All Stars' project, sounds like a fantastic idea - how did it come about?"

RR: "About a year ago, a group of us sat in a conference room to brainstorm a project to commemorate Roadrunner's 25th Anniversary as a label. There were a few interesting and not so interesting suggestions. A box set? EVERYBODY does that. A film about the label? Mmmmmm.... it'd probably take years to put together and it seemed really self-serving. I think the multi-artist notion originally came up as a concert and then mutated into the album as we have it now, helmed by A&R overlord Monte Conner (Sepultura, Slipknot, etc) whose personal vision is a cornerstone of the Roadrunner legacy."

MILC: "There were some 50 musicians were involved - I imagine this was fantastically rewarding but also a bit of a logistic nightmare?"

RR: "Hell yes! NOTHING like this has ever been attempted. Sure, there have been tribute albums. There was also the Tony Iommi record of a few years back with multiple singers and there was the Dave Grohl Probot, project which was Grohl's love letter to mid-late 80's metal. However, those records took 2-3 years to put together. Roadrunner United came together in a matter of months. For Monte, it was nearly a year-long project. We all chipped in... I handled a lot of the artists I've personally signed...people like Howard from Killswitch Engage, Dani Filth... Monte contacted all of his dudes from years past and present. Huge kudos to Lora Richardson (ex-Music For Nations A&R) who did a fantastic job as a project coordinator, arranging flights and basically making the nightmare that this record could have been work out pretty smoothly. Oh yeah, the Team Captains: Joey from Slipknot, Dino Cazares, Robert Flynn and young Mathew Heafy all outdid themselves writing the tracks, picking their guys and generally pumping out some fantastic music."

MILC: "Were there any particular problems and/or pleasant surprises with the coming together of so many personalities/egos?"

RR: "Not really. Keep in mind, everyone who worked on the record was there because they were a Roadrunner fan. Roadrunner has been an important part in plenty of people's lives and that was the attitude with which everyone approached the record. Even people who may have had acrimonious splits with the label like Keith from Life of Agony or Darryl from Glassjaw were glad to be a part of it. It was that 25 years of history and a lot of great records that really was the motivating factor for everyone involved."

MILC: "How do you think it sounds - do you think Colin Richardson managed to create/achieve a cohesive sound despite the fact that there are so many different contributors?"

RR: "At his best, that's what Colin does. Sure, all of us metal die-hards are still in love with him for records he made with Carcass or Machine Head back in the day - the crunching guitars, slamming drums. Everything huge and in your face. The guy is a world-class mixer. Roadrunner United is a great sounding record. There's a track-to-track dynamic of sound. Plus, you gotta remember that Colin himself has been part of the Roadrunner history: producing and mixing bands that defined the label like Machine Head and Fear Factory all the way up to work he's done with Slipknot."

MILC: "What brought you to Miloco?"

RR: Colin likes to mix there! And he probably likes the food around there better than at The Chapel!

MILC: "What other events/products are planned to mark the 25th Anniversary?"

RR: "December 15th in NYC, baby! We're planning to basically put RR United up there onstage. There will be some very familiar faces onstage that night bashing out 25 years of classic metal! Expect all manner of greatness and foolishness! It's gonna be sick!"

MILC: "What do think makes the Roadrunner label stand out from the crowd?"

RR: "We're better. Cees Wessels, the owner of Roadrunner always has shot high in his vision for what Roadrunner is and what Roadrunner can become. His intention was to never be just a metal label...and that mentality has allowed the company to flourish on many levels. How many "metal labels" can boast bands that sell the sheer volume of records that Nickelback or Slipknot do? And in turn, the success of a non-metal band like Nickelback helps every band on the label; metal, hard rock or even a straight out alternative act like The Dresden Dolls. The key to Roadrunner has always been about being a great rock label - encompassing a range of all different kinds of bands. And of course, we take a lot of pride in our metal roster: bands ranging from Mercyful Fate to Sepultura to Slipknot to Glassjaw to Killswitch all being historically great bands. All being leaders rather than followers. Clearly, Roadrunner's set a pace that is frequently imitated and never duplicated."

MILC: "What do the next 25 years of Roadrunner promise?"

RR: "A bunch of great, hugely successful and artistically innovative bands and records! DUH! We're opening offices on the moon. We're gonna get into cloning...We could have Slipknot on tour on four continents at once!"

MILC: "What new acts should we have on our quality radar over the next year?"

RR: "Ooooo... lemme see... keep your eyes open for the likes of Khoma, a Swedish band that blows my mind every time I hear them. Keep watching for the US' Still Remains. If you haven't got the Opeth record yet, go do so immediately... incredible. The New York Dolls are putting out their first record in many years through Roadrunner next year. There's Medina Lake, a band from Chicago that sounds like a poppier version of TheUsed. Expect new stuff from 36 Crazyfists, Killswitch Engage, Stone Sour, Trivium.... RR: 26 is going to be a big one!"

MILC: "Is there anything else you'd like to add/let us know about?"

RR: "It's awesome to know that Roadrunner as a label has fans. It's a huge compliment to everyone from the staff to (most importantly) the artists. We've all had a part in a long legacy of great music. Now go buy the record!"



Mike Gitter of Roadrunner Records was talking to MILC in the autumn of 2005.

© Milc@Miloco 2005

Roadrunner United is out now on Roadrunner Records, and is obviously available via all good record stores.

For more info on all things Roadrunner and specifically the Roadrunner United project, follow this link: www.roadrun.com/rrunited/