The TRUE Masters of Rock!
benzinpsv | New England | 05/29/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Finally! a concert DVD from Canada's Annihilator. This is good time in the life of the band to release a live DVD for 2 reasons(1) it was long overdue and (2) stability in the line-up provided by Dave Padden; something the "band" (read Jeff Waters) hasn't seen in a long time. That being said, on to the review.
The Good: This is the first concert DVD by Annihilator and well worth the wait. Joined on stage by Dave Sheldon and Ryan Ahoff on bass and drums, respectively, the band sounds great. I never really thought that Dave Padden was a good fit for Annihilator but now I don't seem to mind him so much. He is also a great compliment to Jeff as the rhythmn guitarist.
Not so Good: The set-list is only 14 songs (13 not counting the intro). Most of the obvious older stuff is there like Allison Hell, Phantasmogoria, WTYD and Never Neverland. But 9 out of the 13 songs are pre-2000. I was hoping more a more post-2000-heavy set-list; maybe on the next DVD (coming soon?). I was glad to see King Of the Kill come roaring out of the gates to begin the set with Jeff on lead vocals. Joe Comeau-era gems Blackest Day and Shallow Grave also make an apperance. Nothing off of Refresh the Demon, Remains (bummer) and Schizo.
Ugly: Another gripe with the DVD is that it is 4:3 aspect ratio and not HD, given that 99% of new concerts are shot and released in HD (Extreme's Take Us Alive, Exodus - Shovel Headed Tour Machine). Also, no bonus features or videos or anything else.
All in all, could have been a lot more, but for a starved fan of Annihiltor - this is a must own. Buy it and support the band!!"
