V/A

DRACULA 2000

(Columbia)

Wes Craven's new film adaptation of Dracula isn't exactly shattering box-office records, but its soundtrack is just the kind of killer metal mix tape horror movies are meant to inspire. Pretty much the entire Ozzfest/Tattoo the Earth crowd is represented on the disc, which features mostly unreleased tracks from heavy hitters old and new. Paranoid androids Powerman 5000 do the kids proud on the album's lead single, "Ultra Mega," as do System of a Down on their scattershot cover of Berlin's new-wave chestnut "Metro." Representing the old guard, Slayer and Pantera both sound more accessible than they have in years -- which turns out to be a good thing, especially on Pantera's epic power ballad "Avoid the Light." Of the unknowns, Miami's Endo make the biggest impression with "Malice," which lives up to its title billing by slinging a wealth of hateful catch phrases across a heavy blues-based groove. On their first major-label recording, Allston-gone-Hollywood hopefuls Half-Cocked don't fare too badly either, kicking up some roaring AC/DC riffs beneath singer Sarah Reitkopp's tough-chick posturing. With their church organs and reverbed vocals, Monster Magnet are the only band who actually sound scary, but there's no doubt this soundtrack's got fangs.

-- Sean Richardson