Various Artists'Rise Above'

Sanctuary Records

Grade: B

Not too keen on the idea of a benefit record? Have you been too turned off by the numerous philanthropic albums that were dedicated to Princess Diana, or more recently, World Trade Center, thinking that they were either musically incoherent and unsatisfying or socially inconsequential? Think again, because the West Memphis Three need your help.

Most people were unaware of the injustice behind the conviction of Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley and Jason Baldwin until the Paradise Lost documentaries broadcasted on HBO. Here were three young boys - hardcore metal fans - listening to music that is no more violent than what many of us listen to today. Upon the discovery of three mutilated corpses in West Memphis, Ark., the locals and police undoubtingly pinned the atrocity on these anomalous teenagers and it seems that they had little substantial evidence.

And so, Henry Rollins, a rebel who made himself a member of Black Flag after jumping onto a stage during a live performance, uses his impulsiveness to create this album. In explaining his motivation, Rollins says, "I thought what this situation needed was volume and motion . In a situation like the one the WM3 are in, silence is the enemy and apathy is death."

One look at the album cover is enough to understand its content: The blood red background, three dejected faces, ex-Black Flag member Greg Ginn's guitar and a parental advisory seal. This is angry music - more precisely, a blend of metal, alternative and punk. The album opens with the title track, "Rise Above," performed by Chuck D and Rollins. There is a lot of group chanting, which is signature of the punk genre, and this song serves as a good starter.

Unfortunately, this is not a very unique album, and the first 20 songs are much too similar. Some are more punk, others are more metal, but they are all pretty much the same. Some introductions make one hope that the flow of the album will change, but such expectations are betrayed by its faithfulness to screeching vocals and deafening drumming. The Rollins Band takes care of the instrumentals throughout the entire album, which grounds the album but also gives it an element of monotony.

The tide manages to change with "Black Coffee," a song that has a more modern sound, slightly reminiscent of old Offspring songs. The instrumentals in these last few songs become more complex and layered. Ryan Adam's rendition of "Nervous Breakdown," the bonus track, seems to be the oddest one of them all. No screaming, no drums, just Adam's Bono-esque moaning backed by a single guitar. The last few songs save the album from utter repetition and make the CD worthy of a second or third spin.

Though it is hard to decipher them among all the screaming and noise, the lyrics of these Black Flag songs are worth noting. Much of Henry's concerns about the West Memphis Three are reflected in the band's lyrics: "I won't apologize/ For acting outta line/ You see the way I am".

Musically, this album is no great accomplishment. Those who are fans of '80s punk will surely not be disappointed and will be amazed at the lineup of stars. If anything, the album may be worth buying solely for the contributions of notoriously rebellious artists such as Iggy Pop, Chuck D (from Public Enemy), Lemmy (from Motorhead) and Ice-T. The sheer repetition of anger immunizes the listener to the message to a certain extent, yet this album is sure to bring more awareness to the West Memphis Three case.

All proceeds from the album are going to the West Memphis Three Defense Fund. For more information on the West Memphis Three, go to www.wm3.org.