Punk Goes Metal is a concept compilation, as it finds 17 of punk rock's quirkiest groups covering many heavy metal classics in their own special way. Occasionally, the songs take on a new life based on the band's interpretation (such as
Link 80's brass section in
Metallica's "Harvester of Sorrow"), while others stick to the integral metal qualities that left the chosen song imbedded on so many sweaty, long-haired headbangers' minds when it first came out (as does
A.F.I.'s version of "My Michelle" or
Dynamite Boy's superb cover of
AC/DC's "TNT"). These groups have done an outstanding job of refreshing old classics, and at times old metal songs that many wish had never been unearthed, and that is the sole reason why Punk Goes Metal succeeds. Enjoyable and often humorous, this is a compilation that fans of '80s metal or '90s punk should own. ~ Jason D. Taylor