Band: -
DVD: Metal: A Headbangers Journey (Momentum Pictures)
Year: 2006
Website: http://www.metalhistory.com
Rating: 9/10
If you're going to watch only one Heavy Metal documentary this year, make sure it's this one.
Life long metal fan, Anthropologist and film maker Sam Dunn takes us on a journey around the globe pinpointing the beginnings of Metal and whilst he's on the subject, he touches on the various genres and sub genres of rock and metal in general. On his travels, he gets to speak with some of Metals biggest icons, including Dio, Tony Iommi, Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper to name but a few. He also looks into and answers a few of those questions that never really could be answered, such as where did the familiar metal devil horns came from, what exactly is the "Devils Note" and just why Metal has had a bad reputation over the years. There is just so much on here, but one of the definite highlights of the film is when he stops off in Norway to discuss the goings on in the nations Black Metal scene. In this he talks to the likes of Isahn, Samoth, Fenriz and Gaahl about black metal in general and the controversial Church burnings that have happened there.
There are numerous interviews, discussions interesting facts and opinions and a great soundtrack to go. There is also a bonus DVD with tons of added extra's and extended interviews. Although my only complaint is that I would of liked it to carry on a bit longer, "Metal: A Headbangers Journey" is a complete, interesting and engrossing look into the world of Heavy Metal. Easily one of the best, in-depth and most star-studded Metal Documentaries I've ever seen. A must for all fans of metal!
Band: Dark Tranquillity
DVD: Live Damage DVD (Century Media)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.darktranquillity.com
Rating: 8/10
Easily one of the most influential bands to originally hammer out the Gothenburg sound, Dark Tranquility have remained one of the finest bands to emerge from the Swedish Melodic metal scene. Never content to bind themselves with any pigeonhole sound, the "Live Damage" DVD works as a "best of" concert performance that shows their versatility as well as they’re penchant to rock.
Not only is the "dark rock" aesthetic in full effect, but their death metal origins bleed through as well as their black metal tinge of yesteryear. The Live Damage DVD includes a performance recorded in Essen, Germany 2002, as well as a concert in Athens, Greece 2002.
Bonus features include videos for "Monochromatic Stains" and "Therein", as well as a band interview, bio, member profiles, desktop images, discography, photo gallery and art gallery showcasing the bands use of other mediums for expression. This is a fine piece of work here kids – pick it up at first sight. Review by Ryan Bartek
Band: Diamond Head
DVD: To the Devil his Due (Snapper Music)
Year: 2006
Website: http://www.diamond-head.net
Rating: 8.5/10
Following the "It's Electric" live album released in June, comes "To the Devil His Due", a live DVD recorded at The London Astoria on their headlining tour in November 2005.
I managed to catch Diamond Head on their tour with Megadeth and remembered being just blown away by them. I've been a fan for a while, but seeing them live there is just no comparison. This DVD is just perfect for both fans of old and new, a professionally recorded full set from the Astoria gig which includes old classics as well as new material, and as far as live recordings go, this is visually as good as they come. If you're yet to hear DH with new vocalist Nick Tart, I think you’ll be in for a surprise. To me, he isn't that dissimilar to what Sean Harris was like. They both have a similar sound, so the old songs that they perform, whilst he does put his own mark on them, stay pretty much to the original pattern. As mentioned, they also perform new songs from their latest album, some of which are amongst the best tracks I've heard from them.
The extra DVD features include in the studio footage making new album - "All Will Be Revealed" and a full, very in-depth interview with the band, which makes fascinating viewing. Diamond Head are without doubt one of the most influential and best bands ever to have emerged during the NWOBHM. It's such a shame they were so underrated which ultimately, resulted in them never achieving the success that they truly deserve. It’s great to see them make a comeback though, so really, with "To the Devil his Due", there is no better time to find out what all the hype is about.
Band: Dickinson, Bruce
DVD: Anthology (Sanctuary Records)
Year: 2006
Website: http://www.screamforme.com
Rating: 10/10
A stunning 3 DVD package spanning the complete solo career of one of metals biggest icons. This massive triple DVD package will keep you engrossed for hours, to put it simply; this is a must for fans of Bruce and indeed anyone with even a remote passing interest.
First up, DVD1 contains two complete live performances. The first is taken from the "Tattooed Millionaire" tour. This entire set filmed in Los Angeles back in 1990 spans 18 tracks and 90 minutes and whilst it's not the greatest footage filmed, it's great to see Bruce on his first solo tour. The second performance fast-forwards a few years to "Skunkworks" tour of 1996, which was recorded over 2 days in Spain. DVD2, "Scream for me Brazil", is much better quality and performance wise and features the set from the Sao Paulo date on the Chemical Wedding Tour, which of course went on to become the "Scream for me Brazil" live album.
DVD3 is where things really start to get interesting. You also get a complete collection of every single promo video made during his solo career and if all this wasn't enough, there is also an in-depth interview where he gives a track-by-track breakdown and the concept behind "Tyranny of Souls". Also in the interview is a very in-depth analysis of how he goes about composing songs. The questions are rather generic, but he really goes exhaustively into the answers, which is really fascinating. To round things up is rare footage of Bruce's video debut when fronting Samson in 1980. "Anthology" is an essential investment and a fantastic package that you will be proud to own.
Band: Grave Digger
DVD: 25 to Live DVD (Nuclear Blast)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.grave-digger.de
Rating: 6/10
Grave Digger are a band that aren’t too well known over in the UK and as a result of this, I don’t know much of their stuff however this live outing from Brazil and a celebration of the bands 25th Anniversary is a good place to start.
The first thing that strikes you is the quantity of material on offer, with a monstrous set list of 26 songs you certainly get your moneys worth. The gig is a good one Grave Digger obviously have fanatical fans. The set list draws itself from across the band’s history, so we get a "Best Of" show with cuts from all their albums. The camera work and sound are good nothing fancy but solid enough. On top of this you also get bonus tour footage!
If you’re a fan this is a great DVD for a newcomer like me it’s a good place to start you get a good feel of the band and what they are about, for me the music is good and there’s no doubt that the playing here is first class. But nothing it's that really sets my world alight there are obvious nods to Maiden and European power metal still if you like this kind of thing you’ll certainly like Grave Digger. As DVD it’s a great package and a must for fans and good for the curious. Joe Freeman
Band: Machine Head
DVD: Elegies (Roadrunner Records)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.machinehead1.com
Rating: 7/10
Machine Head, good old Machine Head. No frills, no surprises, you know exactly what you're going to get. One of the long running and always just about to break big but never really 90's bands that have toured relentlessly since their inception.
Elegies has a full concert taped at London's Brixton Academy jam packed with their "best of" material, minus that stupid lingering Burning Red and Supercharger garbage (ok, that "blood, sweat, tears" song is ok). Every cliché staple you can think of the vocalist hollers out "get those fuckin hand in the air - move, jump - 1,2,3 - etc." I was amused watching the live show but far more enamored with the "oh shit our career is over" featurette chronicling their misadventures post-Roadrunner. Forced to begrudgingly write a shitty nu-metal melodic singing radio single, shot down by every major and indie possible. I couldn't help laughing out loud that even Disturbed wouldn't sign them to their label. Man, what a fucking low point? But looking at the names on the list I just have to ask why they didn't just go to Century Media, Candlelight or Metal Blade? You can't tell me those three wouldn't have picked them up in a heart beat/ I mean, do they really need all that management? This band can pack a bar in any major city, what the fuck is the problem? Book your own damn tours.
Well, that's just me, the pissed promoter. But getting back to basics, this is a good Machine Head DVD, easy to please their most ardent supporters. Tour with Vio-Lence damn you!!! Review by Ryan Bartek
Band: Sepultura
DVD: Live in Sao Paolo (SPV)
Year: 2005
Website: http://sepultura.uol.com.br
Rating: 7/10
No matter what context post-Max Sepultura has been brought up while in my presence, I've always instinctively thought "Why out of all the fucking people in the world did they hire Derrick Green?"
No matter what recorded work I heard him on I was always disappointed, and it wasn't until I watched this DVD that I earned some respect for him. Now I just think he's kind of halfass as opposed to really, really shitty. Live In Sao Paulo catches up to one of my all time favorite metal bands years after their peak jamming a ferocious set in Brazil. Coffin Joe of all people does the introduction and there are random South American star cameos whom I have no idea of. Either way, it's entertaining. But here's what really stands out -- the warping of the original songs. So used to listening to Chaos A.D., Arise, etc that hearing these tunes with generally twice as fast a tempo, different strumming, added elements, new drum beats, etc came off strange. It's not always bad, but often those heavy grooves lose their knuckle dragging, "kill 'em all, let God sort 'em out" edge. And what the fuck is up with that stupid hip hop song? I felt like I was watching a WWE live taping as opposed to a Sepultura DVD. The video clip extras are weak. They feel watered down and tampered with, like the Metallica videos for Load on out. No cool mystical desert shots, no Seagrave visions of the apocalypse. Just jamming out in elevator shafts looking old or Derrick riding a bicycle really fast. Green also helmed a video of his adventures joining and touring with the band his first year or so.
Entertaining, but haphazard and gunning for some "Get In The Van" excellence that never really comes together. Oh well, there's always Soulfly... Just shoot me. Review by Ryan Bartek
Band: Testament
DVD: Seen Between the Lines (Escapi)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.testamentlegions.com
Rating: 7.5/10
The VHS classic now for the first time on DVD. Includes bonus material and exclusive super A3 full colour poster.
I probably wouldn't recommend it for new or those unfamiliar with Testament, but this great little package is perfect for fans of the band. Firstly, the main event is live footage of the band in Tokyo performing a few tracks. "Not the best live recording I've seen" is a bit of an understatement, as it's in a home movie/camcorder kind of style. The sound is also not the best, but the rawness of it really captures the live atmosphere of the band. As well as the live recording, you also get the music video's to "Nobody's Fault", "Practice What You Preach", "Souls of Black" and "The Legacy". Also, what's great is, in between the video's and the live recordings, you get a brief history of the band and how they formed.
Moving onto the bonus features, there's the full Bio and Discography of the band, an image gallery and more home footage. There's "Dinner with Testament" where they're at a sushi bar in Tokyo and "Testament in Tokyo" where you can watch the band sightseeing and then get mobbed by avid Japanese fans. Hilarious stuff!
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