Manowar - The Day the Earth Shook: The Absolute Power (DVD)

The Day the Earth Shook: The Absolute Power is a spectacular monstrosity and probably the mother of all metal DVD’s. The main title on this double DVD set is Manowar headlining Earthshaker Fest on July 23rd, 2005. It’s not just Manowar headlining mind you; this is a historical metal event. You see, Manowar are joined on stage by former members of the band for the encore, and the legions of fans in the audience go absolutely ape shit as a result. It’s special, and they all appear to be having a genuine kick ass time. If the inclusion of past members wasn’t enough, Manowar also squeeze in another epic event that includes a 200 piece orchestra and choir. This is unheard of in metal and something that is used for royalty. And the whole event was filmed in complete HD quality using 27 cameras and topping it off with a 5.1 mix. I wasn’t part of the 25,000 fanatics there that night, but I too felt the same overwhelming feeling of excitement and elation seen on the faces of the fans. The accompanying DVD features the making-of and on-the-scene footage of The Manowar Mega Fan Convention which took place in Geiselwind, Germany over a period of three days and had fans from all over the world. This makes a KISS convention pale in comparison. All this is packaged in a digipak that fits into a handsome slip cover and features a deluxe booklet. Manowar have pulled out all the stops on The Day the Earth Shook: The Absolute Power which is why they have a loyal following and also why they are the reigning “Kings of Metal.”

Guns n’ Roses - Collector’s DVD Box set (DVD)

This DVD set is a compilation of interviews from people inside the GnR camp and journalists that were covering the band at the time of their beginnings through their success. The two DVD’s are comprised of previously available releases The Prettiest Rock Star which is based on Axl’s upbringing in Indiana to his arrival in L.A. and Sex n’ Drugs n’ Rock n’ Roll which covers the humble beginning of Guns n’ Roses to rock icons. The cast of characters includes; Vicky Hamilton who was Hollywood Rose’s first manager, Chris Weber Hollywood Rose guitarist, Robert John who was Guns’ official photographer for several years and adding some credibility to this collection is journalist Malcolm Dome who you have seen on many documentaries in the past and is a regular on the Classic Albums series from the U.K. While there is some new ground that is uncovered more so on the Axl DVD The Prettiest Rock Star the bulk of the material is common knowledge for longtime fans and possibly for anyone who has viewed the VH-1's Behind the Music special. I found it a bit disturbing that Guns n’ Roses get credit for the explosion of the L.A. Glam scene when clearly there were others that came before them that gain attention, namely; Motley Crue, Ratt and W.A.S.P. Also Guns n’ Roses was given credit for making the music video such brilliant promotional tool for selling albums. I think the majority of the people that shared their opinions and views in these DVD’s are just too damn biased to give you a neutral statement when it comes to Guns n’ Roses. I would recommend this collection only to Guns n’ Roses completists.

Poison - Seven Days Live (DVD)

First of all Seven Days Live is a live performance from 1993 that has not been sanctioned by the band. This is from the Native Tongue Tour which featured guitar wizard Ritchie Kotzen, who replaced long-time guitarists C.C. Deville. Native Tongue is one of my favorite 90’s rock albums, that album was a departure from the 80’s glam rock that Poison was known for. Ritchie Kotzen gave them credibility among the musician’s circles, the songs had more substance, and they were grittier and had a southern rock and soul element to them. For those like myself that didn’t get a chance to see this incarnation of the band this is a real delight. Unfortunately Kotzen and Poison had a falling out and he subsequently was asked to leave the band. This show was shot at the world renowned Hammersmith Apollo on April 23rd, 1993. And while the fans welcomed Kotzen with open arms, it appears that there is some tension within the band at the time of this taping. Bobby Dall and Bret Michaels have great chemistry with one another, while Kotzen shreds away on his side of the stage. Still the band delivers a stellar performance. Notable examples are; “Stand,” “Until You Suffer Some (Fire and Ice),” “Talk Dirty to Me,” “Nothin’ But A Good Time,” “Every Rose has It’s Thorn” and “Something To Believe In.” At the end a good time was had by all and it documents an era of the band that some might have forgotten about in 2006.

Europe - Live from the Dark (DVD)

Wait a minute here, two Europe DVDs in one year? Well, unlike The Final Countdown Live 1986 this is a recent recording. Live from the Dark was taped on the last night of the tour for the album Start from the Dark. The gig took place at Hammersmith Apollo in London in November of 2004. After viewing the performance from 1986 I wasn’t too keen on what would be inside of this double DVD set. What I found was surprising. I am familiar with the tracks from Start from the Dark, but I’m not found of the back catalog. What Joey Tempest and John Norum have done is brilliantly updated the previous material it’s got a punch and a bite that it lacked before. Joey Tempest can still moisten the ladies’ britches and work an audience into a frenzy. John might stand in place the entire night, but with the intense energy he puts into his performance and fretwork all is forgiven. Europe does a fantastic job of incorporating current material in between the classics. At times there is dead silence as Joey introduces a new track, but about mid-way the fans get into it. The standouts performances on this DVD are; “Superstitious,” which has stood the test of time as has “Carrie” here performed acoustically by Tempest, reminds me of Sammy Hagar doing “Where Eagles Fly,” in the Van Halen set to give the rest of the band a breather. Tempest enlists the participation of the audience on the chorus, they oblige and their voices are deafening. Also worth mentioning are “Rock the Night” and “Let the Good Times Rock” both drive the audience insane. Live from the Dark ends with a song that gets under my skin “The Final Countdown,” but it would be ridiculous of me not to expect the trademark song not to make the set. Complementing the live show, are; interview footage, tour diaries and music videos from the album Start from the Dark. I applaud Europe for putting together a quality DVD that’s sure to be embraced by casual and die-hard fans alike.