Well after the cheesy listening and mellower material of the last few columns, this week we have a whole myriad of serious freaking heaviness. Ranging from the socio-political angst of Body Count to the old school metal of Torture; its heavy as hell. My neck muscles got a work-out that is for damn sure.
DVD Reviews:
Body Count — Live in LA
Body Count, the Ice-T's all-black from South Central, metal-core outfit has finally gotten together to record a new album. The original band have lost three of its original members: two to cancer and one to a drive-by. This is a bare-bones DVD release with a fairly crude filmed performance from 2004 as its main feature. The sound isn't anything special and neither is filming. It is a possible that this was deliberate; however the fawning interview (the reviewer comes across as scared shitless) that is a bonus DVD feature was probably not meant to be as rubbish as it turned out. There is not much in terms of extras when it comes to this DVD (well retail will have a 2 track CD included with the new album) but the music is there all the same. The infamous song "Cop Killer" is included, naturally with Ice T declaring it LA's anthem. If you like the band Body Count a lot this might just be for you. If you just like em' a bit then I would wait for the new CD.
Trouble — Live in Stockholm
Another live DVD filmed in Stockholm; this one from 2003 and features the legendary stoner/doom/prog metal band Trouble. A group that has influenced much of the modern stoner and doom prog scene. Four of the band's original members are featured in this the line-up, and the band is in top form. And no that isn't Howard Stern as lead singer; it's Eric Wagner. It is patently obvious why these guys are so well respected. The music is heavy yet clever and atmospheric. It's as if Pink Floyd had followed Black Sabbath in their post psychedelic/Syd Barret life. Unlike the above DVD; this is a crackingly well recorded DVD truly exemplifying the talent of this band. Needless to say this is a must-have for fans of the band and those who love stoner metal. But all metal fans would not do badly picking this DVD up. It just oozes quality and talent.
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