• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Wow! Now this is the stuff that benchmarks what a metal DVD should be like! One can only expect such a killer DVD from huge bands like Blind Guardian and Iron Maiden. Everything on these DVDs is done to perfection and with a lot of thought put into it. The packaging itself, the cover, the booklet, the way it carries the whole medieval theme throughout. There is a lot of emphasis on theme here, with excellent and very elaborate art work that is really fun to look closely at and you will discover some cool stuff in there (Legolas, Gimli, a wizard with a digital camera!)

Anyway, the fist DVD is the essence of this release. It is a continuous live show from Cobourg that Blind Guardian did back in 2003. And what a show this was! A North American fan such as myself can only look at this on DVD and envy you spoiled European brats who can witness these kinds of shows live. We here can only dream of a show and audience of that size. The best thing about it is that BG did not interrupt the 'feel' of the live setting by cutting and crafting scenes and inserting commentaries, or backstage nonsense during the show. The DVD starts before the band enters the stage and does not interrupt until they are done. The setlist too is awesome, showcasing some of their very best songs, coupled with the very enthusiastic and participating audience there. Great lighting, and perfect camera work makes this DVD the closest thing you will ever get, next to actually being there, although sometimes you do end up feeling you are part of the crowd. I started singing along with the crowd on "Bright Eyes"…sorry, couldn't resist ;)

Disc two features all the extra stuff, with an interview, backstage footage and for something like an encore performance, they threw in 4 bonus songs from another show in there at the end. My only little complaint about the second DVD footage is that it is completely in German, and although the subtitle feature solves the issue for the most part, there are still instances where there is no translation, so I have no clue what is going on.

Overall, a spectacular release, and one that every fan out there must own. I will even go as far as saying that so far, there is no metal DVD out there that tops this one. It delivers everything you could possibly think of and ask for, and then a little more! Highly, highly recommended!