I had the chance to get in touch with DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER's (which stands for the four horsemen of the apocalypse in German) music some years ago, when the band was not as known as it is now. While being an editor for Metal Temple, I had the chance to review the band's latest full-length offering Riders On The Storm (2006), which was surely really good and amusing release. This is the first time I get to listen to a live release by these guys and I am sure that I they will be equally good to what they do in the studio.

The German metallers were formed back in 1995, when the kind of music they play was not so popular to the Metal scene. The fact is that after their All You Need Is Love (2000) album, which is probably one of their best releases so far, Nuclear Blast saw that this band has talent and added them to its roster. Since then, DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER have been a part of one of the biggest - if not the biggest- Metal labels. The band has shown that it improves more and more as time goes by and this is the second time after their Friede Sei Mit Dir DVD fans have the chance to witness the acts on stage presence.

The fact is that I got a bit disappointed, since I got to review the CD edition of Tobsucht. There is also one edition that contains these two CD's, but its main attraction is the DVD that contains those two performances. To be more precise, the first CD of this release contains the band's performance at Wacken Open Air festival on August 4th 2007 and the second CD the live performance at Party.San Open Air on August 10th 2007. The band took part in these two festivals proving that they can deliver a hell of a nice show on stage. I unfortunately haven't had the chance to see the DVD, but I have watched some live clips of the band performing at the specific festivals. While listening to this release, I realized that the band is a great live act and the incredible sound quality you get with Tobsucht is exactly what their music deserves.

The fact is that as a humble Metal fan and most of all BUYER I believe that this release, or to be more precise this edition of Tobsucht has no meaning of existence. Since there is a DVD out that catches the band's live energy there is no need for a CD to hit the stores. Do you remember RAMMSTEIN's Volkerball release? I am sorry to say something like that, but why should I be interested in a RAMMSTEIN live CD? My main interest in such a band's live performance is to be able to see it, not listen to it. I believe that you will find much more interesting watching Fuchs dancing on stage and running all around than just listening to his voice while he does all that stuff he does on stage.

If it was only a live CD, I would say that fans would love it, but to tell you the truth, I just can't wait to get my hands on the DVD. Anyway, if you want to buy it you probably are a dedicated fan of this band and you want to have anything these guys have released. Otherwise, just get the DVD. Sorry, but no rating from me...

Note: The DVD also contains a backstage report, a roadmovie from Russia and Ukraine, a slideshow and a fan video contest. Did I hear you asking for more?