A glimpse of the masterful music behind the mascaraed mugs and visionary videos of Long Island lunatics Twisted Sister, Twisted Forever recalls what a smokin' sect TS was and also sheds light on 15 other under-utilized talents, each serving up piping-hot interpretations of nasty TS cuts. Flavor-of-the-day Lit lights the fuse with a faithful run-through of the brilliantly simple TS calling card "I Wanna Rock." The humbly immortal Motörhead owns "Shoot 'Em Down." Nashville Poontang (lacking breast-fest Corey Parks) does nice work with "The Kids Are Back." The aptly christened Overkill goes "Under the Blade." Anthrax takes on the thundering "Destroyer." Nine Days and Chuck D mix things up, adding variety to a very listenable compilation. British blasphemers Cradle of Filth garnish "The Fire Still Burns" into a standout. Only the Step Kings don't step up to the plate and lose the spirit of one of TS's best, "Burn in Hell," but it's hardly a weak link on this chain gang-bang. Elsewhere, Joan Jett works "We're Not Gonna Take It" (handled by fellow class chick Bif Naked on Ready to Rumble). Master of kick, Fu Manchu opens up the hell-bent "Ride to Live" like the sad wings of prime Priest. Hammerfall deserves mention for taking "We're Gonna Make It" to old-school metal heights. Meanwhile, Sebastian Bach, VOD, and Sevendust pay their respects until the Twisted ones themselves close their cover album with (natch) a cover, AC/DC's vintage Vegas homage "Sin City." Twisted Forever is easily the sickest and most twisted tribute around. Indeed, you can't stop rock & roll. ~ Doug Stone, All Music Guide