Introduction
Manowar and Neil Johnson respectively confirm their status as the Kings of the DVD media and God of DVD editors with this coverage of the Earthshaker Festival 2005 and the Manowar Fan Convention.
I was there and I have waited anxiously for this DVD to arrive ever since, so I could re-live those three unforgettable days.
To put is shortly: Every Manowar fan will want to own this DVD. The concert alone has moments that are pure magic and is worth its price.
When I finally got the DVD I decided to watch it in the right order, so after browsing through the well done booklet, I put on Disc 2 and went straight for the Fan Convention.
The Fan Convention
Manowar held their first International Fan convention at the Earthshaker Festival and fans from all over the world participated. It was three glorious days in Manoworld where someone like myself could walk into the convention hall, have a few beers, start singing "Achilles..." and actually be joined by a total stranger who would then proceed to sing along, headbang and play air guitar with me for the entire 28 minutes, after which we would declare us brothers for life (Hail Benno(war)!). Those certainly were the days.
For those who were not there the Fan Convention documentary gives a small glimpse of what happened. For those who were there it is a treasure chest of memories just waiting to be opened. My only problem with this documentary is: Even at almost 3 hours it is too short! A 20 DVD set covering every part of the convention hall with multiple camera angles would have been fine by me.
Seriously though, I'm sure every fan who attended the convention has different wishes for things that he or she would like to have seen included in the documentary so it is naturally impossible to cram everything into the three hours here.
The reverend host of the Fan Convention, Marjo Verdooren, re-prises her role here, linking the segments together and telling many small anecdotes. The opening ceremony is extensively covered with the whole 30 minute Viking battles being shown. It was a seriously cool thing to witness live and a most non-heinous way to open the convention. The presentation on the DVD has been very well edited, but especially for those who didn't attend the convention I can imagine it dragging a bit towards the end.
The coverage of the fan convention brings back a ton of immortal memories. So many familiar faces make their appearance. My campmates the Swedish Sons of Odin are there, The Norwegian Viking covered in fur, the Russian bear who vanquished me in the arm wrestling competition and Yuki, the Miss Manowar winner, it's all like one big happy family. Australian Brother of Metal, Aston, is probably the guy who clocks up most on-screen time with some well spoken Manowar praises.
A major highlight is Ross The Boss' guitar clinic, which is true gold and I believe it's included in it's entirety. Good decision! There is a really relaxed, happy-to-be-there vibe to the whole clinic and as Ross plays his riffs, the small but extremely enthusiastic audience (notice in particular the incredibly happy headbanging fan during the "Manowar" song) starts singing along, resulting is some both funny and quite magical moments. I would have done anything to have been there among the lucky ones. A big arsenal of Manowar classics get aired with heart and the unique style of Ross The Boss, who comes off as a sympathetic and most excellent dude.
David Shankle also holds a very good clinic and he is given enough time to make a really great impression. The much talked about Miss Manowar contest also makes an appearance, the best part being the speech bubbles and the fact that the RevelationZ-sponsored Yuki won.
Towards the end the pace quickens and we get short but very cool glimpses of Eric's meet and greet, Scott's drum clinic, Karl's guitar clinic but only hear about Joey's meet and greet. All things I missed and had been very excited to see covered extensively.
In between these segments the fans get plenty of screen time. "Voices of the Immortals" has different fans talking to the camera. It shows the spirit and the triumphant power Manowar's music has. I manage to stick my big head into several shots and I am rather proud to end the "Voices of the immortals" section with a far-out prediction of the concert.
Another interesting bit is seeing myself as part of the audience during the Eric Scream contest since I was actually standing at the main festival stage watching Rhapsody play at the time. I guess it explains the absence of the Eric Scream footage. All the cameramen were obviously running around searching for Christopher Lee. (Sorry, couldn't help it...)
Ending the documentary the fan confessionals are both funny and quite touching, all from the heart. My favorite is the Discotheque-guy and the "Hail & Kill! And see you"-guy. Short and to the point, I love it.
In the end the documentary gives you a very good glimpse of what happened there. But don't for one second think that it comes close to the real thing.
This was something unique and I can only say: Manowar, You must do this again!
Extras
The second disc also has a great 30 minute documentary on the Festival performance and DVD recording. It covers a lot of ground, from the initial press conference and stage setup through rehearsal footage of all the band members as well as Joey instructing the choir. Lots of technical bits that are both impressive and on occasion very funny. This being Manowar some of the comparisons are completely over the top. For instance, this is the first time I hear someone comparing the experience of a stage lighting system at full power to a nuclear explosion when seen from space, or what about the bit where Joey tests the monster PA system. Great and serious fun.
All the band members show a clear joy of the music and there is a special feeling in the air as they interact.
A really special gem is the Battle Hymn rehearsal footage where the band met in Germany to rehearse the song. There is a real sense of magic in the air that is indescribable. It is so funny to hear Eric screwing up in the introduction and seeing Neil herding him to run to the band as they all move towards the front of the stage near the climax. It's real and it's fascinating.
And now for the true highlight.
The Concert
Stunning. That would be the one word review of this DVD presentation.
I've watched it several times through now, each time with increased enjoyment. On repeated viewings I really started appreciating the care and attention to detail that has gone into the editing of the whole concert. It has been shot, cut and delivered with style and true attention to detail. The sound is clear and powerful, the image quality is the best I have ever seen of any live DVD, the editing is note perfect and the camera angles are as imaginative as the captured shots are fascinating. In fact I have never seen any DVD look this good on my 24-inch Dell widescreen monitor. The production value is pure gold.
Since I've already reviewed the entire concert in my
festival report I will try to make this short and concentrate on the difference in the experience and the details that only become apparent when watching in this format. I may fail.
The first big change is the sound. Finally I am able to experience the concert with the sound it should have had at the festival. The second thing that becomes apparent is that all the interruptions minus one have been cut out, making the concert flow much better. The speeches and awards have all been gathered in a separate segment called Historical moments, and they all include an interesting commentary track by director Neil Johnson. It was a good decision to split it up like this, although I would have loved to see the introduction with the light rig and the roaring crowd since I remember it so clearly, but I guess there was a reason for this being cut.
The whole concert is one big adrenaline rush. One highlight after another, ending in the ultimate climax. "Manowar", "Brothers of Metal" and "Call to Arms" is a breathless way to open the show. "Kill With Power" takes the crown for the best edited song here. The way the song has been put together is pure perfection.
The focus switches constantly from the band to the audience, which has been captured in the most amazing ways. There is a massive amount of incredible audience shots. Some of my favorites include the girl licking a guy's Manowar tattoo as "Sign of the Hammer" opens, the crying pair as "The Crown and the Ring" is ending, all the shots of Erman in full sheepskin, especially the way he re-enacts part of "Blood of my enemies", chest pounding and all. Blink and you'll miss a moment during "Manowar" where Dawk sticks his head out from behind the speakers, like a father checking on his kids. Also check out "Hail and Kill" to see a sea of Manowar fans going insane. Even the choir is rocking at this point!
"Metal Warriors" and "The Glory of Achilles" with Rhino and David and "Metal Daze" and "Dark Avenger" with Ross and Donnie are natural highlights. "The Glory of Achilles" especially is divine with a superb performance by Eric, a wilder than wild guitar shred-fest by David and manic drumming by Rhino.
Hearing Ross play with the band brings these old songs alive in a new way and it brings a very special feeling to this part of the show.
This was the first time the band played their new song "King of Kings" and it is an awesome performance. Eric's performance is chilling, as his voice rings out loud and clear in the beginning. Another incredible moment is how he holds his scream at the end of the line
"I live and I'll die by the sword". Another example of the editing goodness is how it is perfectly in tune with the guitar riff at the beginning of the song.
"Warriors of the World" has some amazing audience shots. Especially the shots from behind Scott's drumkit are mind blowing. Watching this song in this setting will fill any true Manowar fan with pride.
The ultimate climax comes with Battle Hymn. There are really no words to describe it. Everything about this performance is so fucking beautiful. That moment where the song goes into its last verse and all the guys come to the front of the stage is so intense, so powerful, so emotional that for a small moment, time just stops. ...Magic!
The Conclusion
The Earthshaker Festival show was a once in a lifetime experience and this DVD proves it. I am overjoyed that this moment in time has been captured so perfectly. The only things I miss on the DVD as a whole is a commentary track from one or all of the band members and an Easter Egg (has anyone found one?).
Manowar have again proven that they are as loyal as their fanbase by releasing only the highest quality material on DVD. What's next? Hopefully the band will go into their archives and chronicle their entire history up to Hell on Earth Part I, of course including a show where they play the entire "Achilles..." opus. A far-out dream? No, I have come to the conclusion that nothing is impossible when talking about Manowar. This DVD is a triumph.
Rating: 9/10Written by
Steen Monday, March 5, 2007
