Get the 2DVD/2CD box set edition!!!! - This is a review of the double DVD/CD version which is the only way to go. If you can t get it here look elsewhere! So here we go...Ground rules stipulate that one cannot grant more than five stars to any release. But if you could, this would be my pick for a sixth star. A release of such quality and attention to detail that it s inspiring and truly sets the bar for any other band of this genre. Musically spot on, a real nirvana for Kamelot fans, the real oommmpphh in this release is due to its expansive nature, the bonus features and the obvious care that s gone into making the gig enclosed a showcase event.Starting with the CD s first. They are a straight rendition of the show. With the band spot on target and nailing every song and Khan - who as a vocalist has grown in stature in terms of his ability to emote over the years - the audio component here would be a valid enough release on its own. Nicely produced with everyone getting their allotted time in the sun, if your a Kamelot acolyte then you d probably find this quite a worthy addition to your collection. However on it s own it wouldn t be five stars as lets face it, live albums are an acquired taste and not everyone sees their reason to exist.Onto the DVD, we have the show itself which is well paced and quite melodramatic as you d expect. Your either on board or your not in regards to this brand of hard rock shenanigans but for me I find it quite a pleasantly played and well captured gig. One complaint I have is the fact that the stage area itself is so dark and the band have insisted on all wearing black, which means that you don t see them as clearly as you may like and it s frustrating when you want a more in your face experience. The addition of a range of guest stars adds to the fun. Sascha Paeth turns up, much as he did on Shamans RituAlive release, as do a range of others - Mari Youngblood, Elisabeth Kjaernes, Snowy Shaw (standing in for Shagrath in the role of Mephisto), Christian Kjaernes and Marianne Follestad. However perhaps the most notable special guest is Simone Simons of Epica who seems to have fun during The Haunting. The audio angle of things is good as per the CD part of the release.The extras to the DVD however really give this release an edge. Everything from interviews that drift between the usual silly questions through to more serious aspects of touring are covered. Interviews with Simone Simons and `at home segments also introduce you to aspects of the bands mind set and Casey Grillo takes the viewer on a brief journey to ddrum and there is a range of background information in a special feature hosted by Khan. Moreover there are a number of videos on here, the video clips to The Haunting, March of Mephisto (standard and uncensored) and the couple of video clips put together to support this release as well as another version of March of Mephisto shot at Sweden Rock 2006 AND a behind the scenes look at the making of The Haunting clip. Phew!One top of all that the booklet is well laid out, you get a bunch of photos and comprehensive credits to all the parts of the release and a small (A4 size) poster as well.Now if that s not enough for any Kamelot fan to splash out with his hard earned cash I don t know what is. A veritable feast of stuff and any band who puts this much attention into a product deserves to be rewarded with some decent sales figures. Dig in.
One of my favorite concert DVDs - Extremely well done all around with great sounds and visuals, showcasing the showmanship of the band members and capturing the excitement of the Norwegian audience! Great features on the second disc, too! Once you hear/watch Karma or Center Of The Universe, you ll get hooked and become an instant Kamelot fan, guaranteed!
Power Metal As It Should Be - This is power metal as it should be. Watching Kamelot rocking on stage is a much superior experience to listening to the CD. The filming was beautifully done, capturing the mood perfectly. There is a story line to the show and the band moves from song to song effortlessly, keeping the excitement up even in the slower numbers like Abandoned . Kahn s duet with Simone Simons of Epica on The Haunting is flawless. Simone has such a charismatic stage presence at times it seems she might very well upstage Kahn! Not since Queen s Live at Wembley had I enjoyed and rocked so much to a live concert. Kamelot prove that they are the masters of their trade and this concert might very well go down as one of the defining moments of their history.Get it and rock your way to a great time.
A Brilliant Live DVD - Performing songs from The Fourth Legacy, Karma, Epica and The Black Halo, this is a the best way to see Kamelot on a screen to date.
Wow! - First off Kamelot is one of the very few truly talented metal bands. Having been around for almost 20 years now.This DVD is spectacular. Completely raises the bar for music in the metal genre. The picture and sound of this DVD are nearly flawless. I consider myself a very picky videophile and audiophile and I found it hard to find really any true annoyance in picture or sound. I m sure insane audio and videophiles would have no problem finding a couple minors things here and there. But if your not an audio or videophile you ll never notice. My only complaint about this DVD is that I wish the second disc contained more extra features about the band. I would have given this a 4 star rating for that if the actual concert itself hadn t completly blown me away.