Holy Diver Live Review

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(More customer reviews)This fall performance of the 2005 (that's right...2005!) Holy Diver tour was captured live at London's Astoria. Holy Diver Live features the Holy Diver album in its entirety, from start to finish, recorded live with other Dio, Rainbow and Black Sabbath classics.
Even better....this show will be released on DVD May 30, 2006 in the US according to the band's website. So why buy this CD? Well, one could argue that the performance is a refreshing, revitalized collection of some of the best Dio material making it worthy of having in your car or wherever it is you listen to your music.
I, on the other hand, love Dio's studio work and would much prefer it to the versions on this Live collection. Most of the songs that you want in a Dio collection are here on this CD, and they are all performed superbly (for a guy that's been pumping out screaming Heavy Metal for more than 30 years). But in my opinion the release of the DVD performance of this show replaces entirely the need for ANOTHER Dio live CD.
HOWEVER, the upcoming DVD release is some of the best, most exciting Metal news to come out this year so far.
As I said in my Amazon review of Dio's "We Rock" DVD (a 2005 release of a couple of shows circa 1983), I was hoping that the boys would reunite and record a show with high quality audio/video...Wish granted!!!....Almost.
Missing are Jimmy Bain, Vinnie Appice and Viv Cambell. In are a group of guys with some impressive resumes: Rudy Sarzo on Bass, Simon Wright on Drums, Doug Aldrich on guitar (Craig Goldy was out on injured reserve) and Scott Warren on keyboards.
Regardless, based on how well the songs sound on this CD, the ability to watch Dio do the classics recorded with today's technology (versus the 1983 junk audio/video on We Rock) will be nothing short of a front row seat to the actual performance.
So I'd say if you're a die-hard Dio fan and must have everything he releases then go ahead and hit the buy button for this CD...it's very good. But if you can wait for the true live performance experience of actually seeing what you're hearing and you don't need (more) live versions to listen to on the go, then wait for the DVD on May 30....I have my calendar marked!

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Captured live in front of a sold-out London crowd, Ronnie James Dio delivers a truly memorable performance on this truly memorable night. Dio has been hailed as one of the finest voices in Heavy Metal for over 30 years now and for good reason. Due to his stints in Rainbow, Black Sabbath and as a solo artist, Dio is one of the few people in the history of music that can honestly say they have played on three classic albums, each under a different moniker. "Holy Diver Live" features the classic "Holy Diver" album in its entirety, from start to finish, recorded live for the very first time. It also features, among others, Heaven & Hell, Sign of the Southern Cross and Mob Rules from his Black Sabbath days, Tarot Woman, Man on the Silver Mountain and Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll from the Rainbow days and We Rock from his solo career.

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Cannibal Killers Live (CD/DVD) Review

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(More customer reviews)Static-X's first live album & official DVD. The band sounds great & there's some tunes from every album. If you like Static-X, you will like this CD/DVD package. If you don't like them, this isn't going to change your mind.
The only complaints I have are: 1. The video for 'Permanance' is not included & 2. the 4:3 aspect ratio is inexcusable in 2008. Widescreen is a must.

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Static-X's musical blunt-force-trauma explodes onto the stage on Cannibal Killers Live, the platinum-selling band's first CD/DVD package and first full-length concert release. Essentially a 'greatest hits and more' concert compilation, Cannibal Killers Live features a complete show from the Cannibal Killers Tour shot at The Big Easy in Spokane, Washington. The 17-song set spans the group's entire career, from the classics 'Push It' and 'Bled For Days' to songs from 2007's Cannibal. The DVD also boasts all 12 videos issued by Static-X and a make-your-own-ringtone application. Cannibal Killers Live is ready to eat!

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Jesus Christ Superstar (1996 London Cast) Review

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(More customer reviews)Before you consider purchasing this, consider that there have been quite a few recordings of this piece of work. Naturally, one wonders, which of these is the best all around recording? That for one depends on your personal music tastes.
If you like late 60's/early 70's rock operas/concept albums (such as Tommy, Hair etc.) then I strongly suggest The original 1970 concept album. The concept album features Ian Gillan of Deep Purple as Jesus, Murray Head (One Night in Bangkok) as Judas and Yvonne Elliman (Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack) as Mary Magdalene. The musicians are primarily composed of Joe Cocker's Grease Band and Juicy Lucy. This version is true rock - no Broadway "Showtune" atmosphere on it. This version also is by far the most successful, being a number one album on the Billboard charts (in early 1971), and selling over three million copies.
If you're a fan of Motown recording artist Ben Vereen, I highly recommend The Original 1971 Broadway Cast Highlights Album (Available upon import from footlight music). While it features a rather average Jesus, Ben Vereen adds true soul and original interpretation to the role of Judas, such that is unmatched to this day.
The movie soundtrack, which I rank third in JCS recordings, features tremendous voices (a texan drummer with incredible passion and range as Jesus) but sounds as if it was recorded in a tin can (this refers even to the remastered version). Also, Jesus and Judas are played by the Broadway understudies in this version.
In Fourth place, comes this particular recording. A 1996 British studio album with Steve Balsamo, Zubin Varla, and Alice Cooper, it falls short of the aforementioned recordings. Of course, it is still an excellent recording in and of itself. The performances are passionate, deeply felt portrayals... However, I do get the feeling I'm listening to musical theatre actors pretending to be rock singers (Alice Cooper even sounds more showtunesy then you would think). There's also the fact that these particular singers/actors have borrowed a great deal of interpretation from the JCS albums of the past. I do appreciate the fact that they didn't try to "modernize" the music too much, but the slap bass in the Overture seems a little tacky (again, trying too hard to say "See, we showtunes people can do rock music too!") Sonically, this doesn't hold together as well as the above three.

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2005 Digitally Remastered (At Abbey Road Studios) Deluxe Edition of the Critically Acclaimed London 1996 Cast.--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Cyberpunk Review

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(More customer reviews)Those of you who won't touch (even with a 10' pole) anything Techno-like, are truly missing out here. Yes, this album has a major Techno element, but the strong guitar gives it the hard edge that we've come to expect and want from Billy. People who criticize this album, are forgetting one of the things that Billy Idol is known for: He combines elements of Rock, Pop, Punk, and Dance. That's right, folks, Dance has been there right from the start. The difference with Cyperpunk, is that it was released in 1993, when the Dance music of choice was Techno. But this is much more than a Techno album. It's a concept album containing brilliant soundscapes, and Billy's vocals are no less than top notch. Also on this album, you will find some of his best lyrics.
So what are these multiple uses that I refer to in the heading? First of all, this CD would be a great choice to play at a club where people dance. However, ironicly, it's also a great album to relax or fall asleep to. Or perhaps you just feel like jumping in the car and going for some night driving, because that works, too! And last, but not least (probably not even last), this is a fantastic album to have sex to. Billy Idol's vocals are very sensual, and many of the rythms are erotic.
Unless you hate all Techno music with a passion, you'll want to have this gem in your collection. So don't leave Billy dancing with himself! Give it a try!

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Rockabilly Riot 1: A Tribute to Sun Records Review

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(More customer reviews)I really hope he puts out one of these per year. Brian has managed to take the authentic sound and energy of mid 50s rockabilly and record it with totally modern sound quality. Unlike his offerings with Stray Cats and 68 CBS, this cd has no modern rock or punk edge to it. This really does sound like it could have been recorded in 1954. But the one thing that has always bothered me about music recorded back then is the tinny, flat sound that even the best remasters tend to have. But here we have the best of both worlds; Authentic, heartfelt rockabilly in big booming 3-D sound. Take this home, crank it to '11' and try try not to smile and tap your foot. I dare you.

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This is the first of a multi-volume series where Brian will pay tribute to the music that influenced him, and in turn, made him one of the most influential musical figures of the last 25 years. Here are 23 amazing rockabilly songs (some hits, some obscure gems) that helped define an era. Setzer is determined to do whatever it takes to reach as many people as possible so they too can discover the music that has gone underappreciated for too long.

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And All That Could Have Been Review

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(More customer reviews)THE SOUND QUALITY...
is incredible. It sounds as good as a studio recording. And the audience is there in the mix, but ever so subtley... the cheering doesn't overpower the music. And the volume is so wonderful... i usually keep my headphones on level #9... with this CD, i have to keep it down on 6 or 7 as to not deafen myself. I've never heard such a good live recording... even other licensed ones put out by the artists themselves.
THE VARIATIONS ON THE MUSIC...
is wonderful. His inflections, his emotions, are clearly visible. It doesn't sound like a live version of the studio albums, but rather has an improvised feel - it sounds raw... but perfect.
THE ENERGY...
is out of this world. The crowd, the music, the vocals... everything is just so powerful. That's really the only way to describe this.
This is so far my favorite CD of 2002... and i don't see another one surpassing it for a while. Any NIN fan must have this... or it would be an awesome way to discover the band.

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Megadeth - Rude Awakening (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)How do I love this DVD? Let me count the ways:
-Dave. Any discussion of Megadeth's DVD should start with him.
In addition to his prodigious musical abilities, he also proves himself to be quite a stage presence. Sure, he doesn't say too much onstage, but he doesn't have to. His voice here is in fine form, as menacing as ever, and he and Al Pitrelli tear it up on guitar.
-The song selection is pretty damn good. Sure, there was no "Five Magics" or "Addicted to Chaos," but as the saying goes, you can't please all the people all the time. Every album gets represented except for "Risk," which I doubt most fans will miss anyway. Megadeth classics like "Reckoning Day," "Peace Sells," "Hangar 18," "Trust," and "Sweating Bullets" get treated here, and I severely doubt anyone will feel cheated.
-The performance of "In My Darkest Hour" is a tear-jerker. Even the guitar riffs are brooding and evocative, and Dave's tortured vocals and lyrics make the song one of the few in thrash-metal history that can accurately be described as moving. It sounds even better here than on CD, and is in my opinion definitely the highlight of the show.
-You get to see Jimmy Degrasso annihilate his drum kit. The drum solo at the end of "She-Wolf" is completely gratuitous, and man is it great.
-The sound quality is uniformly cystal clear. The guitar solos, especially, come out extraordinarily well.
-It's Megadeth, for crying out loud. I shouldn't have to tell why you should want to see such a comprehensive concert from one of metal's defining bands.

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LIFE BURNS TOUR (PAL/REGION 2) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a band that formed in Helsinki back in 1996 as a side project for four Music students, and now has blossomed into a full time job, and millions of records sold worldwide. I started following these guys when Metallica on Four Cellos was released, and it was very amusing in it's own part, but when their second release Inquisition Symphony came out, it was lightyears ahead in quality and depth. It was their first album featuring original material, and was well worth the wait. Now 3 albums after that, 2 live dvd's, 2 greatest hits releases, and a live CD, this is and awsome showcase of what the band has accomplished, where they came from, and a taste of the new. Repressed is a new song for US consumers featuring Max Cavalera of Soulfly/Sepultura, and Matt Tuck of Bullet For My Valentine. Hopefully their full catolog will be picked up by a us distributor, and their last few releases (apocalyptica, the best of apocalyptica, Amplified-a decade of reinventing the cello, and live (DVD)). Pick this up, trash,industrial, hard rock, metal, death metal, black metal, and Goth fans will love this release
Here is a Track Listing: Enjoy.
[1 ] Intro - Apocalyptica
[2 ] Path
[3 ] Master Of Puppets
[4 ] Somewhere Around Nothing
[5 ] Fight Fire With Fire
[6 ] Quutamo
[7 ] Heat
[8 ] Betrayal
[9 ] Nothing Else Matters
[10 ] Hope
[11 ] Life Burns
[12 ] Fisheye
[13 ] Bittersweet
[14 ] Seek & Destroy
[15 ] Prologue
[16 ] Creeping Death
[17 ] Inquisition Symphony
[18 ] Enter Sandman
[19 ] Refuse /Resist
[20 ] Hall Of The Mountain King
[21 ] US Tourfilm (Bonus Material)
[22 ] EPK - Repressed (Bonus Material)
[23 ] Bittersweet (Video)
[24 ] Life Burns (Video)
[25 ] How Far (Video)
[26 ] Wie Weit (Video)
[27 ] Faraway Vol.2
[28 ] Somewhere Around Nothing
[29 ] Seemann (Video)
[30 ] Repressed (Video)


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German pressing DVD featuringNina Hagen, Ville Vallo (H.I.M.) & Lauri (Rasmus). Verti. 2006.

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Keeper Of The Seven Keys: The Legacy World Tour - Live In Sao Paulo (2CD) Review

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(More customer reviews)This album sounds great,the song "the king for a 1000 years" its amazing live(yeah 13 minutes with 17 seconds) the track list is magnificent and no question why did they choose brazil,brazilian audience has a lot of energy,they make you feel there all through the album...good job helloween!

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Germany's Helloween are undeniably one of the most influentialheavy metal bands to emerge from Europe during the 1980s. By taking theharmonies and structure of classic bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priestand infusing them with the urgency and energy of the growing thrash metalmovement, Helloween created something unique and truly embody the essenceof 'power metal'. The band remains a strong force today, as proven on thisnew double CD, Keeper Of The Seven Keys: The Legacy World Tour 2005-2006Live on 3 Continents. Captured live in Sao Paulo, March 25th, 2006 duringtheir latest global trek, this release is a must for any fan of fantasticHeavy Metal.

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