Various artists May 17 2006

With more than half of its 18 tracks previously unreleased, the Invaders compilation delivers on its claim that “whether it’s hard rock, metal or psych — it’s all heavy.” That said, you want to gravitate toward the harder tracks.

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The speedy but boozy blues-tinged opener from Saviours, “Circle of Servants Bodies,” isn’t nearly as macabre as the title implies, offering a heavy dose of back-alley hard rock. The psychedelic melee of Black Mountain’s “Behind the Fall” does the genre justice but is a bit of a lullaby compared to hardcore head trips from Danava (“By the Mark”), Big Business (“As the Day Was Dawning”) and High on Fire’s flaming guitar work and dark depth.

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Electronic and Latin elements show up for Dungen’s danceable “Christopher,” and Wolfmother’s “Love Train” is worth a spin at a rock ‘n’ roll dance party, as is Parchman Farm’s wrap-up “Curtis Franklin.”

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All in all, a solid sample of rare material that’s suitable for hardcore preferences, but not so much that it’s completely inaccessible. 4 stars