Sequels are usually a disappointment, but don't tell that to the creative team that rolled out The Matrix Reloaded -- or the legions of fans. The movie is stellar, with edge of your seat action and all the mind-twisting plot of the first. For the soundtrack, the creators have stuck with the successful blend of techno and

industrial hard rock. Whether it's better or not is a matter of taste (the soundtrack alone has plenty to think about in that regard), but it's definitely not a letdown like most sequels.

Linkin Park opens the album with an instrumental titled simply, "Session." The beats are slick, the music is foreboding, and the song sets the stage for the rest of the album in an unusually (for them) understated manner. Understated is not a word associated with Marilyn Manson and probably never will be. On "This is the New S***," his vocals are at their most emetic. It's also a surprisingly great song -- by far the best thing he's ever done. Just when his career seemed to be flagging (only so far anyone take the grotesque and still get paid), he's changed musical direction and hit a home run.

Rob Zombie returns with "Reload." Perhaps not as original as the last ("Dragula" was brilliant), he still has his foot down on the throttle. "Reload" is high octane, heavy horsepower fun. Still the best reason to watch the credits roll, the late, great Rage Against the Machine makes an appearance with "Calm Like a Bomb." Rage was always unmatched in sheer intensity, thanks to the best rhythm unit in rock and roll. This is still one of their best songs. The Paul Oakenfold remix of "When the World Ends" is excellent. Whether it actually does the Dave Matthews Band justice is up to the listener. Musically, it's delicious but DMB has always taken pride in being a great live band, so this remix cuts against the grain a little bit.

Like the movie, the soundtrack is on par with the original. The disc itself, however, is out of this world. The production and mastering exhibit a spaciousness that is nothing short of extraordinary -- particularly on the synthesized orchestral pieces on disc 2, like "Trinity Dream." The result is a sound that's surprisingly big from a boombox, and positively huge on a home stereo. Disc 2 includes the movie trailer to view on computer (where most of us saw it for the first time), as well as inside information about the new Inside the Matrix video game and the new animated series. It's a nice bonus to what is already first class entertainment value.

By Rob Boss