I’ve seen Arch Enemy perform
nearly every time they have come to LA since their first West Coast show at the
Troubadour in Hollywood on 3-5-2002. This DVD, Live Apocalypse
is EVERYTHING that an Arch Enemy fan could hope for, and then some!
Finally, there now exists for posterity (and for kicking your Metal posterior),
a DVD collection that provides as true as possible, a taste of just what a good
Arch Enemy performance is all about. I don’t always say this when it
comes to concert DVD’s (which often come with a host of issues), but in this
case it really is the next best thing to being at a live Arch Enemy
show.
The first disc contains the main
show (18 songs), filmed at the London Forum on December
17th, 2004. This is the jewel. It’s a very professional show, with a
lot of thought put into it the camera work, editing, etc. A great venue, with
great sound and atmosphere; Arch Enemy’s performance is spectacular. I
actually got glassy eyed on one occasion. They manage to take you to a level
that is Pure Fucking Metal. This is the fine cuisine of Swedish melodic
death metal. The second show on the disc is a few extra songs taken from a show
at a smaller venue (Manchester Academy 2, December 13th,
2005).
The available audio on Disc 1 is
Dolby Stereo, Dolby 5.1 Surround, & DTS 5.1 Surround (which makes the London show fantastic blows your brain out
into the street and hits the house across the way). Last note, I remember
talking to the band after one of their shows a ways back, and one of them (I
forget who) had mentioned the possibility of an Arch Enemy DVD of a show
in Japan. I don’t know, and cannot remember if this was something that was ever
filmed, but if so it would be great to see it come out as well some day. Arch
Enemy has always had a good connection with their Japanese fans. Either
way, if you’re an already existing Arch Enemy fan, or if you’re merely
curious about them, go out and buy the Live Apocalypse DVD. Support the
band, and maybe some day they will crank out more of these high quality live
gems!
Disc 1: Track list: LONDON FORUM
DEC. 17, 2004: Tear Down The Walls/Intro / Enemy Within / Silent Wars / Burning
Angel / Dead Eyes See No Future / Dead Bury Their Dead / Bury Me An Angel /
Drum Solo / Instinct / Savage Messiah / The First Deadly Sin / The Immortal /
Bridge Of Destiny / We Will Rise / Heart Of Darkness / Snow Bound / Ravenous /
Fields Of Desolation/Outro /
Also, MANCHESTER ACADEMY 2, DEC. 13,
2005:
Nemesis / My Apocalypse / Skeleton Dance /
Disc 2: UK Tour 2005 Mini Movie / “Tour! Tour! Tour!” (on the road movie) /
Interviews & Behind The Scenes At The “My Apocalypse” Video Shoot / “Gear
Talk” (equipment special) / Slideshow / Interactive Menus /
Full Promo Videos: Ravenous / We
Will Rise / Nemesis / My Apocalypse /
Multi Angle Songs, Selections From The Forum Show.
-Lorn
