Where is Volume 2?

August 24, 2011

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ROTTENBUCHER

Movies are notorious for making sequels, as are novelists.  But in the music world, sequels are rather rare.  Sure, Insane Clown Posse had their “Dark Carnival” tale that spanned 6 CDs (7 if you were really counting).   They eventually wrapped up the story, but have continued to release albums as the second circus or some such nonsense when no one wanted to buy their non-Dark Carnival albums.

But has the world of Metal had its share of sequels? Absolutely!  Rhapsody of Fire has released 10 albums in a never ending story.  Actually, it ended with their most recent album and now the band is going by two names in another round of never ending drama. Silly Italian Power Metal aside, both King Diamond and Queensryche released sequels.  King Diamond did it first with 1989’s Conspiracy, which continued the story from 1988’s Them.  The King would again make another sequel with 2002’s Abigail II: The Revenge.  In 2006, Queensryche would release the sequel to their mega-smash Operation: Mindcrime.   Even though at the time Operation: Mindcrime II seemed like a declining band trying to recapture past glories, that second album was the best thing the once-platinum sellers had released in nearly a decade (and since). 

So while it has been proven that even Metal knows sequels, what about those bands that set up albums for sequels but never delivered?   After all, King Diamond and Queensryche did not have to release sequels because they were smart enough not to a.) promise a sequel during promotions for the original album or b.) randomly number  releases.  There have been several artists that have promised to continue the sound, style or story on future releases and have delivered to varying degrees of success.  Worst yet are those that released an album with “Volume 1” in the title, but have yet to deliver Volume 2.   Let’s examine the worst offenders.

Honorable Mentions:

2. Alice Cooper - Along Came a Spider
The legendary Alice Cooper releases the killer Along Came a Spider to much fan fare.  After years of a career that had peaks and valleys, it seemed like the Lord of Shock-Rock was back in full swing.  Starting with 2000’s Brutal Planet, Alice would release a string of commercially and critically successful albums.  Along Came a Spider had the distinction of being the best of Alice’s new millennium career.  So much so, that Alice claimed he would continue the story of the twisted serial killer named Spider on his next release.

Will there be a sequel? 
As of 2011, Alice dropped the sequel to Along Came a Spider in favor of a sequel to his stunning 1975 album, Welcome To My Nightmare.   Hitting shelves this September, delightfully before Halloween, Welcome 2 My Nightmare not only continues Steven’s story, but features the Alice Cooper band’s original members and musicians that appeared on the first Nightmare album.  Those faint of heart will be thrilled to learn pop starlet Ke$ha is also appearing. While the sequel to Along Came a Spider has yet to be released, there is a distinct possibility the concept will be revisited in the future.  It only took Alice 35 years to revisit Welcome To My Nightmare.

1. Dimmu Borgir - In Sorte Diaboli
2007’s In Sorte Diaboli was supposed to be the first of a 6-album concept about priests and antichrists.  The fact remains, no one really cared about the album’s story.  Instead, they were more interested in hearing the most aggressive Dimmu Borgir album in recent years.  After all, they promised a return to Black Metal with its release.

Will there be sequels?
2010’s Abrahadabra had much more to do with bombastic orchestrations than bombastic stories.  It appears the In Sorte Diaboli concept has been dropped in favor of songs influenced by the writings of Aleister Crowley, not the Antichrist.  Dimmu Borgir can still revisit the property as they seem to show no signs of throwing in the towel.  However, it appears most Dimmu Borgir fans either weren’t aware of the concept or didn’t care.  It’s doubtful we’ll ever see a sequel.

The Offenders:

5.  Scorpions - Humanity - Hour 1
Not willing to be left out, Scorpions opted to release their first concept album in 2007.  Each song was about universal themes and as long as it didn’t sound like Eye II Eye, there was sure to be no complaints.   Humanity - Hour 1 did rock, even with help from super-songwriter Desmond Child and the modern production and extensive use of keyboards.  Scorpions were truly refreshed after several missteps and promised to expand upon the lose concept on future releases.

Where is Hour 2?
Looks like Hour 2 passed long ago.  There won’t be an 11th Hour either.  The Scorpions wanted to get back to the anthems and Sting in the Tail had much more accessible songs and no concept.  To top it off, after the touring support for Sting in the Tail is over, Scorpions plan on retiring.  But as of late, the band has promised a new 3D concert DVD and a disc of re-recordings of their classics.  Even if they decide that retirement sucks, Scorpions won’t be turning back the clock and giving another Hour or two.

4. Warrant - Belly to Belly: Volume 1
Like so many Glam and Hair bands, the platinum -selling Warrant couldn’t weather the shift from Rock to Grunge.  Warrant disbanded after 1992’s more rock and less pop, gold-selling Dog Eat Dog.  In 1995 Warrant returned and updated their sound on the even heavier Ultraphobic.  While it was still Warrant at heart, Ultraphobic showed Seattle influences on several tracks.  Then there was 1996’s concept album, Belly to Belly: Volume 1.  The album was about a rags-to-riches youth dealing with life after the spotlight faded.  While not as strong as previous releases, the band was able to make an impact on the Rock Never Stops tour in 1998, playing the album’s material live.

Where is Belly to Belly: Volume 2?
Warrant’s follow-ups to Belly to Belly: Volume 1 were live albums, re-recordings and even a covers album.  Vocalist Jani Lane would quit the band in 2001, return a few times and eventually quit for good in 2008.  Warrant continues on and has yet to revisit Belly to Belly.  Instead the band has released several albums more akin to their debut than their heavier, mid-90s discs. Struggling years with addiction, Lane passed away in August 2011. 

3. Necrophagia - Harvest Ritual Volume I
Horror-themed Death Metal pioneers planted some successful seeds on 2003’s Divine Art of Torture.  The underground band sprawled to near Super Group status when members of Immortal and Sigh joined the ranks.  2005’s Harvest Ritual Volume I expanded on the previous album’s sound with even more creepy keyboards and chunky riffs.   Impressed with the critical and commercial response, leader/vocalist Killjoy promised a quick follow up to their most successful album to date.

Where is Harvest Ritual Volume II?
Harvest Ritual Volume I proved not to be the best growing season.  Immediately after the album’s release, Killjoy spread himself thin with several side projects and the new members were also connected to their other bands. It seemed there was little time for Necrophagia and one-by-one, the band’s members quit or were replaced. Sometimes even the replacements were replaced or old members would be announced to have returned.  6-years later and with everyone who appeared on Harvest Ritual Volume I no longer in the ranks, Necrophagia returned with Deathtrip 69.   Killjoy promised the album for nearly 4 years before its release and it appears there never was going to be a second harvest.  It was just a misleading album title.

2. White Zombie - La Sexcoristo: Devil Music Vol. 1
Blowing in from Massachusetts, White Zombie hit the big leagues in a major way back in 1992.  La Sexcoristo: Devil Music Vol. 1 was exactly what the fans of Bevis and Butthead wanted;  Alice Cooper on steroids.  White Zombie was heavier, uglier and just as cartoonish.   But La Sexcoristo: Devil Music Vol. 1 was not White Zombie’s first album.  It was actually their third. But their major label debut had enough goods to push them into the mainstream.  White Zombie would follow up La Sexcoristo: Devil Music Vol. 1 with even more success.

Where is La Sexcoristo: Devil Music Vol. 2?
White Zombie’s follow up was titled Astro Creep: 2000. It sold twice as much and made the band a headliner in the touring circuit.  However, that was the last album of originals from the band. White Zombie disbanded in 1998 after vocalist Rob Zombie’s first solo album, Hellbilly Deluxe.  The funny thing is, Rob Zombie is not opposed to sequels.  As a film director, he has made sequels to two of his films.   In 2010, Zombie even released Hellbilly Deluxe 2: Nobel Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls, and the Systematic Dehumanization of Cool.  Former members of White Zombie have not been too complimentary of the now bankable Hollywood director and have stated there will never be a reunion. 

1. W.A.S.P. - The Best of the Best: 1984 - 1999, Vol 1
Perhaps this is where I will blame the record label, not the artist for the missing future volumes.  The Best of the Best: 1984 - 1999, Vol 1 had a track listing more akin to a set list than hits.  W.A.S.P. had been long removed from the charts and radio hits by 1999 and the collection was heavily weighted to the bands first three albums.  The 1999 aspect only pertained to the new track, a cover of Elton John’s “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.”

Where is The Best of the Best: 1984 - 1999, Vol 2.?
It was actually released as The Best of the Best.  In 2007, Demolition Records expanded The Best of the Best: 1984 - 1999, Vol. 1 collection into a 2-CD set and dropped the years and volume number from the title.  The released contained all the material from 2000 release and added a lot more.  Except now you have to pay more for more songs from 1984 to 1999.  Sure, a Volume 2 would have prevented a double dip, but at least the new version of The Best of the Best can actually live up to its title.

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