Since many Limp Bizkit, Eminem, and Korn fans aren't hip to the original rap influences that informed the late-1990s rap-metal explosion, Take a Bite Outta Rhyme's intentions are honorable--have rock bands cover tunes by rap luminaries such as Public Enemy, LL Cool J, and Ice-T. But things go astray with Dynamite Hack's intentionally sappy reworking of Eazy-E's "Boys-n-the Hood," followed by weak efforts from the overhyped Insane Clown Posse, Bloodhound Gang, and Dope. Then there are unimpressive entries from Driver, Factory 81, and Mindless Self Indulgence. The best renditions are heavy ones: Staind's "Bring the Noise," Sevendust's "Going Back to Cali," and Nonpoint's "The Tribute," which salutes Slick Rick, Busta Rhymes, and the Wu-Tang Clan. Rap-rock has come a long way since Aerosmith and Run-D.M.C. did "Walk This Way" and Anthrax performed a duet with Public Enemy, but as this CD indicates, the genre hasn't necessarily arrived at a better place. --Katherine Turman