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Track Listing: Killswitch Engage - My Obsession Trivium - Shattering The Skies Above Dream Theater - Raw Dog Taking Dawn - This Is Madness Opeth - The Throat Of Winter Mutiny Within - The End

The God Of War 3 soundtrack is a digital only EP that can be downloaded from the normal digital music retailers and is free (download code provided) with the ultimate edition of the game. This soundtrack is a showcase of Roadrunner's big names along with a few newer bands trying to make a name for themselves. The EP has its highs and lows. The EP artwork is absolutely mind-blowing and I really can't wait to get my hands on the game and kick some ass. I've been a fan of the series ever since I played the second installment (god of war 2). The EP mainly has heavy songs with one exception. Here's a track by track review of the album.

1. Killswitch Engage - My Obsession: This song starts off with a riff reminiscent of Oroborus by Gojira before going into the familiar KSE song style. Howard Jones' vocals are top notch for the most part of the song. The mix is a little poor on this one with the bass not very audible. The song has a typical KSE sing-along chorus. The real gem in this song is the bridge. 7/10

2. Trivium - Shattering the skies above: This is the weakest song on the album. The music is excellent. I wish I could say the same for the vocals. Heafy's vocals do not fit the song and feel too forced. The guitar solos are nothing out of the ordinary. The lyrics are really good here but they are not sung well at all in my opinion. Again the bridge in this song is the highpoint. The chorus is repeated too many times and gets a little annoying. 6/10

3. Dream Theater - Raw Dog: The song most people have downloaded this EP for hath arrived. DT's riff monster starts off with a riff that will crush your skull. Petrucci is making full use of his 7 string on this one. It's an instrumental and the first Dream theatre song that was specifically written for something other than a Dream Theatre album. The riff goes in and is complemented by Jordan's keys that take me back to their Train Of Thought (Warner, 2003) album. This goes into the main riff of the song which is one of the crunchiest and best riffs I've heard in a long time. Mike Portnoy's double bass goes along very well with this riff. This is the longest song on the EP clocking in at seven and a half minutes. This is definitely my favourite on this EP. The song will appeal to fans who like the heavy side of Dream Theater (Train Of Thought, Systematic Chaos). Jordan has a keyboard solo that is a typical keyboard solo with guitar tone on keyboard. As with many Dream Theatre songs, the song goes back into the intro riff and does not fade out. It ends abruptly just like their other song Pull Me Under, which they did back in 1992. A nice nugget for the hardcore Dream Theater fans. 10/10

4. Taking Dawn - This Is Madness : The first song by the unknown Taking Dawn. The music is like a combination of Trivium and KSE and fits very well on the EP. The lyrics are about the movie, '300' (Spartans) and features a few lines from the movie as lyrics. Again the chorus repeats too many times for its own good. There is a break in the middle of the song that is a nice refreshing change from the rest of the song. The song also features some killer guitar work. Solos are abundant here which makes it all the more enjoyable. 8/10

5. Opeth - Throat Of Winter: Opeth's Throat of Winter follows with a complete phase change from the rest of the EP. This acoustic masterpiece would have fit well on Damnation and definitely proves that Opeth still has it (who doubted them?). Mikael's vocals are in full form here. This song features a few folk riffs that add to the effect that the song builds with. The only complaint I have on this song is the fret sliding squeaky sound. It may be intentional but it is a little irritating in some sections. The remainder of the song is brilliant and it is definitely one of the best songs I have heard in a while. The keys complement the acoustic guitars perfectly in many parts of the song. The song ends with a very nice acoustic riff harmony with a solo followed by church bells. 10/10

6. Mutiny Within- The End: Everyone has had very high expectations from this band. Mike Portnoy and John Petrucci of Dream Theater reviewed their album saying it was awesome. I really like this song. It sounds like old school Killswitch Engage. The song has a break in the middle where there are storm effects thrown in before the vocals come crashing down on the silence. The guitar harmonies seem perfect here. This song should have been a bit longer in my opinion with a better chorus. A nice way to end this heavy soundtrack to a game that ends one of the greatest game series ever. 8/10

Overall this album wasn't as good as I thought it would be. I blame the first 2 songs on the EP. The saving grace on this album is Dream theatre and Opeth's contribution. Those 2 songs make it worth it. I applaud Roadrunner Records' initiative to spread heavy metal to a larger audience with this EP.

I look forward to playing God Of War 3 when it releases next week.