Well, this is the third GAMMA RAY DVD release that comes 14 years after the Lust For Live one. Actually, this DVD with the longest title ever took some time to reach the stores. After spending a decent amount of time I can understand the reason for this delay. The three DVD release is literally packed with GAMMA RAY material that will satisfy the most demanding RAY-fan. So, lift your sleeves up and let me at least try to guide you through the 300 minutes of music and fruitful happenings.
The first disc contains the concert filmed in Montreal, Canada in the 6th of May, 2006. The hosting venue was filled with GAMMA RAY fans who were in the mood for the always up-tempo live performance by the German Power Metal band. The filming was done through several cameras that were utilized in the maximum and thus, the result is very dynamic. In fact, the direction adds greatly to the final result using multiple angles simultaneously on the screen covering everything that happened on stage. The visual effects used in the digital process boost even more the visual experience since they 'follow' the music and lyrics. You will get close-ups during the guitar solos along with fast camera angle changes (following the music's tempo) introducing a part of the energy fueled show by by the Hansen company. The only complaint I can make here, is for the classic pixels (possible from the digital process) that affect the sharpness of the picture. But this is a minor glitch and cannot spoil the feeling you get from the band's high mood that is there to lift you up just like it does in all the GAMMA RAY concerts. As you can see, all the classics are in the setlist plus the very good acoustic version that strangely sounds better than the original. I must say here that from my point of view (or hearing) Kai Hansen has truly evolved as a singer and has left way in the past the ultra high pitched screaming (ok old school) vocals found in the first HELLOWEEN albums.
The second disc is what I found most interesting; I mean the 'history' part is most of the time hilarious even though the English subtitles are missing. I should mention the karaoke version of Black Hole where a female fan joins the band on stage and sings along with Kai or the part from the insane Greek concert with HAMMERFALL in 1997 when Kai stagedived from a higher than the stage level. But this is not all; the unplugged show in Japan (yes unplugged), the road movie -with subtitles- are some of the material where you can sink your teeth in and some older concerts as well.
The third and 'bonus' disc is not a filler; it features another roadmovie from the recent GAMMA RAY / HELLOWEEN Spanish tour part and five live recorded songs from the Barcelona concert. This footage is filmed with same quality as the Montreal show with multiple camera angles, dynamic direction and additional visual effects.
All in all the new GAMMA RAY DVD is has set a powerful nomination for the 'best DVD' list that leaves no question whether to get it. This is exactly the way DVDs should be with plenty of bonus material and behind the scenes footage that help you to get an inside view of your favorite band.