This concert was shot on videotape and lacks a lot of the polish that more recent recordings have. But to be honest, I don't think I want it. Slayer is about getting down and dirty, taking to the stage and just ripping it up, polish be damned. The video is full frame, the colors are not the strongest, and it all feels a bit soft. On top of that, the camera work is not the greatest, with a little shakiness here and there, and I could not be happier. This recording does a fine job of capturing the band in their element.
Where the video is not the greatest, the stereo audio presentation is pretty strong. We get every note, every chord, every word, loud and in your face. There is also enough crowd noise to prove it is live, but never enough to be distracting. It is live, raw, and intense. Yes, I realize that I have said raw a lot, but can you think of a better word to describe Slayer live?
In addition to the concert, interspersed throughout are clips of the band backstage, at autograph signings, and just screwing around. It puts a smile on the face of the band that always seems so deadly serious. I would have liked to be able to watch the concert straight through, but these clips are not too bad and at times can be kind of funny. This is in addition to the opening clip of a hardcore fan having "Slayer" carved into his forearm. Yes, a little extreme, but there you go.
The set is a mixture of Divine Intervention tunes and some classics that you don't hear all that often. Highlights of the set include "At Dawn They Sleep," "Captor of Sin," "Angel of Death," and the Venom cover "Witching Hour," with help from Robb Flynn and Chris Kontos of Machine Head.
Love them or loathe them, Live Intrusion is an adrenaline charged representation of what Slayer is, and it is a lot of fun to watch.
Recommended.
Article comments
1 - Triniman
In terms of video and sound quality, what's the best Slayer concert video available?
Do they have anything in HD?
2 - Chris Beaumont
Let me get back to you. I have War at the Warfield and Still Reigning to check out.