KISSology Volume 1

MANOWAR ‘THE DAY THE EARTH SHOOK – THE ABSOLUTE POWER‘ (Magic Circle) – The mandatory yearly ManOwaR DVD takes a detour from the Hell On Earth series to present a monumental occasion which combines their headlining performance at the 1 st Earthshaker festival (in Germany 7-23-05) & a 2 nd DVD covering 3 or 4 hours of events from their first ever fan convention, which includes guitar clinics from Ross The Boss, David Shankle & Karl Logan & events such as a Viking sword show set to Manowar music, a Q&A with all 8 members, fan testimonials & much more.

The concert itself is a monumental event, including not only a set by the Kings Of Metal on a gigantic stage. It also features 2 songs each with their 2 past line-ups. Bringing David Shankle & Rhino out for 2 songs from Triumph Of Steel & re-uniting Ross The Boss & original drummer Donnie Hemzik for “Metal Daze” & “Dark Avenger.” The current line-up closes the set with “Outlaw”, “Hail & Kill ” & “Blackwind Fire & Steel” & then all 8 members, past & present, close the show with an extended version of “Battle Hymns” with 3 guitar solos. Quite simply the ultimate Manowar concert event.

CREAM "THE FULLY AUTHORIZED STORY" (Image) - A very insightful documentary of this supergroup. In depth interviews reveal obscure details, like how Eric Clapton got nick-named 'slow hand', (hint-not for his playing) to how they were formed from the ashes of 3 blues & jazz bands, to their lasting influence on the rock world at large. Clapton explains it was his most demanding band ever. Ginger Baker gives very blunt answers & speaks his mind quite frankly. Bonus features include 3 songs taped from their 1967 hey-day ("Spoonful", "Tales Of Brave Ulysses", "Sunshine Of Your Love"), 3 promo clips ("Strange Brew" among them).

A bonus audio CD ('Swedish Rock Sessions 1967') unveils 5 live songs, including the Ginger Baker centerpiece "Toad", including a drum solo (with impressive double bass playing), which sounds like it could've been the prototype for 'Moby Dick' (with drum parts being similar to what Bonzo later played). The trio's immense talents always shine brightest on their live work. As a whole this is a no-bullshit look at a truly legendary band who always relied on talent instead of hype.

PRIMUS " BLAME IT ON THE FISH" (Frizzle Fry) – A self -explanatory ‘ Abstract look at the 2003 Primus Tour De Fromage.' documenting their 2003 tour without literally documenting them playing a full set.

Notable for the return of original drummer Tim Alexander after a 7 year absence. A hodge-podge of scattered images with Primus as the soundtrack, with excerpts of songs from different shows popping up between oddball clips of animals, dancing around an inflated rubber duck, crowd shots, sound-checks & interview clips. A hallucinogenic journey of Primus meets the Dead & Zappa. One segment has Les from the year 2065 talking about the old days.

Bonus footage includes more in depth interviews, un-cut live & sound check footage & the full interview with Les from '2065'.

MEGADETH ‘THAT ONE NIGHT-Live In Buenos Aries’

The new MEGADETH live DVD captures their current line-up early on the tour for THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED, in front of a huge outdoor crowd in Argentina, who have become notorious for adding a loud enthusiasm that’s like a 5th member for any given band.

Capturing a magic moment of the line-up firing on all cylinders, the 4-piece pummel through an 18 song set spanning Peace Sells to more recent songs like the opener: “Blackmail The Universe”, (a guitar riffing motherfucker that’s up there with the Rust In Peace shit). Unfortunately the stage production is stripped down without the flames & backdrops (from later in the tour).

Following with 2 of their past openers: “Set The World Afire”, proves itself a timeless riff monster that seems more relevant than ever, & Peace Sells opener: “Wake Up Dead”, ages well & gets a kick in the ass from the enthusiastic & dynamically capable current line-up, (with Shawn & Glen Drover on drums & guitar, & James Lomenzo on bass).

“Coming Home” is an acoustic ballad where Glen plays acoustic, while Dave does his best American Idol impression. Let’s just say I can understand why this song didn’t stay in the set, since it’s more suited to the likes of Christina Aguilera than a metal band.

Luckily there are many highlights in the set, excluding the inclusion of the ballad “I’ll Be There”, (which could’ve been replaced by any number of thrash classics). My main complaint is a somewhat inconsistent filing quality, with some shots being downright shaky & the lighting being below the standard of most official DVD’s. Seems more of an afterthought type of DVD than an intended release, which would be fine if not for the lack of filming quality.

Highlights are “Tornado Of Souls”, the medley/double-shot of the biggest shred fest of them all; “Hangar 18” & “Return To Hangar.” “She Wolf” has a killer harmony solo (far superior to the version on Rude Awakening).

The standards (mostly) remain: “In My Darkest Hour”, “Reckoning Day” “A Tout Le Monde”, “Trust”, “Symphony Of Destruction”, “Peace Sells” & a shredding “Holy Wars” to close it off. (There’s no “Sweating Bullets”, or killers from last summer like: “Skin O My Teeth” & “Take No Prisoners”).

All in all, a nearly essential show that captures Megadeth re-conquering the throne.  Rarely have they sounded more focused & the importance of documenting this return to form is incentive enough to check this out.