HOME   News   Reviews   Adv Search   Features   My DVD   About   Apps   Stats     Search:
  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • Full Frame
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
  • Commentary - English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
  Subtitles
  • None
  Extras
  • Audio commentary
  • Featurette - Review
  • Animated menus
Gamma Ray - Lust for Live
Warner Vision/Warner Vision . R4 . COLOR . 57 mins . M15+ . PAL

  Feature
Contract

Most people, in this country in particular, would never have heard of the German heavy metal band Gamma Ray. A brief breakdown of its history can be found in the review of their other DVD release, Heading For the East.

This release was recorded during the 1993 Melodic Metal Tour at Hamburg’s Dock’s venue on September 25, sharing the bill with fellow German headbangers Rage, whose performance has also been released on DVD and the review can be seen here.

The lineup for this show consisted of Ralf Scheepers on lead vocals, Kai Hansen on guitar, Dirk Schlachter on guitar and keyboards, Jan Rubach on bass and Thomas Nack on drums. The show was to see one of the last performances of Scheepers as he left the band soon after this tour.

Based on a three album recording career including the albums Heading For Tomorrow, Sigh No More and Insanity and Genius the band had an established fan base coming into this tour. The show is a mix of live performances and interviews, giving a great insight into the show but also to some behind the scenes goings on. It also includes footage in the recording studio for the production of the Insanity and Genius album.

Track listing...

Tribute to the Past
No Return
Changes
Insanity and Genius
Last Before the Storm
Heal Me
Medley
Future Madhouse
The Cave Principle

Fans of this band and this genre will love this release. They may not be one of the best known heavy metal bands outside of Germany, but they set very high standards in musical quality. The reason for the tour in the first place was to prove that heavy metal was not dead and this band is great testament to that fact.

  Video
  Audio
  Extras
Contract

This video transfer is of adequate quality overall. It is presented in full frame and therefore not 16:9 enhanced. Colours are generally very good as are sharpness levels. Black levels and shadow detail are also reasonable and aliasing is pretty much non-existent. There is some over-saturation of colours due to stage lighting, but these instances are of acceptable levels and do not interfere with the viewer's enjoyment. For the additional footage supplied such as behind the scenes and in the recording studio, the transfer is of a much lower standard, but considering this was filmed on Handicams, it is also acceptable.

Audio is supplied in English Dolby Digital 5.1 surround and this is also of adequate quality. The soundstage is kept predominantly across the front channels with the rears used to reasonable effect for crowd noise and ambience. The rears could have been utilised a little better though to give a fuller sound, but the mix offered is reasonable. The subwoofer gets a solid workout as expected and audio synch is never a problem.

Only a couple of extras accompany this release. First up is an audio commentary from journalist Malcolm Dome. He gives a brief introduction before songs about that particular song and this doesn’t intrude on the viewer's listening pleasure at all. The only other extra is a review, again from journalist Malcolm Dome. He gives a brief rundown of the band and their history up to this concert performance.

Overall this release is really limited to fans of the band or the heavy metal genre, as nobody else would really find much enjoyment here. Still, fans of the genre that have not heard of this German heavyweight outfit may wish to give them a listen, as they do produce a great sound. Video and audio quality are both adequate, but extras are minimal.


  • LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=2834
  • Send to a friend.
  • Do YOU want to be a DVDnet reviewer? If so, click here

    Cast your vote here: You must enable cookies to vote.
  •   And I quote...
    "Gamma Ray is German for 'heavy metal'. Nah, not really!"
    - Adrian Turvey
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Sony DVP-NS305
    • TV:
          AKAI CT-29S55AT 68cm
    • Receiver:
          Sony STR-DE685
    • Speakers:
          Sony SAVE815ED
    • Centre Speaker:
          Sony SAVE815ED
    • Surrounds:
          Sony SAVE815ED
    • Subwoofer:
          Sony SAVE815ED
      Recent Reviews:
    by Adrian Turvey

    The Rise & Rise of Australian Rugby - The Bledisloe Cup: Deluxe Edition
    "This is a quality package for fans of rugby, as well as fans of Australian sporting history."

    Youssou N'Dour - Live at Union Chapel
    "The talented African singer gives a fine performance in this show."

    The Wailers - Live
    "Keep the pizza delivery phone number handy for this one!"

    Matchbox Twenty - Show: A Night in the Life of
    "Great band, great spectacle, great sound, great show!"

    Manchester United - Beyond the Promised Land
    "Fans of Manchester United should enjoy this release, for others it may induce vomiting! "

      Related Links
      None listed

     

    Search for Title/Actor/Director:
    Google Web dvd.net.au
       Copyright © DVDnet. All rights reserved. Site Design by RED 5   
    rss