The answer to this pivotal question, as any fan of the hit “Saw” film series would guess, are the dangerous, dramatic strains of hard rock, metal and industrial music. These sounds are represented on Saw IV Original Soundtrack by giants of those genres – Nitzer Ebb, who unveil highly anticipated new material with the hard-hitting “Payroll (JohnO Mix),” Ministry (“Life Is Good”), Skinny Puppy (“Spasmolytic [Deftones Remix (Habitual Mix)]),” “Saw” composer/Nine Inch Nails alum Charlie Clouser (“Just Begun”) and Sixx: A.M., fronted by Mötley Crüe bassist/songwriter Nikki Sixx (“Tomorrow”) – as well as established bands who’ve been influenced by them, including Drowning Pool (“Shame”) and Avenged Sevenfold (“Eternal Rest”), and up-and-comers forging a similarly creative path like From Autumn to Ashes (“On the Offensive”) and Submersed (“Better Think Again”).

Aside from occupying a certain punishing position on the sonic spectrum, many of these acts also have in common an abiding love for all things “Saw.” Attests Miller: “A lot of these artists are huge fans of the franchise, and their music really relates to it.” He points out that Solidium (“Trapped”) are also devotees of modern horror films in general and that Oxygen is so enamored of the “Saw” series that their contribution to Saw IV Original Soundtrack, “Do You Want to Play a Game,” takes its title and thematic thrust directly from the films. Moreover, Saw IV Original Soundtrack is itself an “inspired by” collection. Aside from “Just Begun,” an excerpt form Charlie Clouser’s score, the songs comprising this companion piece are not heard in the film; instead, their selection was inspired by the film.