The overall production quality of this DVD is a slight disappointment. Theworst offender is the lack of any 5.1 surround audio track, which is unacceptable for a 2004 concert DVD. Fortunately the Dolby stereo track is quite good, providing excellent instrument separation and clarity, and powerful bass response. The video was usually sharp and clear, with only the occasional blurryshot. The camera work was fairly simple and relied on a few different angles,which primarily focused on close-ups of Schendel and Babb, with the occasionalpan to Moore, Mendians, and the backup singers. I would have liked to have seen more medium shots of the entire band performing. Some of the shots tended to get very repetitive and boring, especially the one showing the same angle of the drummer. The video would often switch between amateur camcorder shots of the show, which I found annoying and distracting. The light show was minimal, so the colors looked natural, and the lighting did not create any significant problems for the cameras.

The bonus material was extensive and quite good. My favorite segment is of the band rehearsing for the NEARfest show in one of their hotel rooms. They are all performing acoustically, or with minimal amplification, but they still soundedhuge. Their talent as musicians, and chemistry as a band, really shines throughhere. Also included was a tour of their recording studio, video of their DVDrelease party, and the video for "Tales Of The Great Wars".

Although some of the production is flawed, Lex Live is still one ofthe most enjoyable concert DVDs I have seen this year. The music and performances are powerful and inspired, and perfectly capture the brilliance of Glass Hammer, and especially the Lex Rex album. It is a curious, but inspiring, state of affairs in the world of music when your favoritealbum and concert DVD of the last few years is by an independent, Christian-flavored, progressive-rock band from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Amen to that brother.

Set List
Chronotheme
Tales of the Great Wars
One King
Further Up, Further In
Cup of Trembling
Chronos Deliverer
When We Were Young
Heaven

Performance - 9/10
Production - 6/10

Read all of my DVD concert reviews atRoy's Reviews