Many stellar hardcore acts that haven’t had crossover success into the mainstream market find that they have difficulty getting their music out to a larger audience. Kevin Lyman, founder of The Warped Tour, knows just how many bands out there are trying to break through- he gets more that 1200 applications for his traveling emo, metal, and punk rock festival every year. That was the inspiration behind the creation of the Taste Of Chaos winter tour, which focuses more on screamo and post-hardcore than it’s older sibling.

Response to the tour was amazing, from the industry, media, and the audience, with first year acts like The Used and My Chemical Romance going on to become household names.

Now the double-album Taste Of Chaos 2 presents the bands of 2006 – and much more. Tour participants such as Taking Back Sunday, Anti-Flag, Underoath, Senses Fail and Saosin each chip in a track of their finest. Typical for the Taste Of Chaos format, the compilation contains many up and comers, yet to be discovered by the masses.

There are also some artists who serve as excellent role models for both younger fans and bands alike. Established names such as Helmet, Bif Naked, Gwar and Strapping Young Lad represent the spirit of Taste Of Chaos, even if they are more familiar to some as acts featured on The Warped Tour. Taste Of Chaos has become a complex sampler, an overview of underground music, and it’s champion.