Earlier this year the Albert Hall hosted what was surely one of the oddest performances ever, combining as it did, an epic Sci-Fi Metal Musical starring Alien Sock Puppets and giant ballsacks on legs. Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen to the many layered worlds of Devin Townsend.
For a full review of the concert go here.
Finally the concert has been released in all its glory; 15 cameras, directed by Paul M Green (Devin Townsend, Opeth, BB King) and features special guests such as Dominique Lenore Persi as the War Queen, with video narration by Bill Courage, as well as 12 singers and actors as cast and choir. And if the goofy Earth Invasion storyline of ‘Z2‘ isn’t your thing, the second half of the concert is a ‘by request’ set of Devin‘s back catalogue, which captures the breadth of his song writing. It’s this half that connects on a deeper level, given the heartfelt expression of the songs. From the relentless ‘Namaste‘ to the ridiculously uplifting ‘Universal Flame’, it’s an excellent introduction to what is a highly varied well of music.
The cameras spread throughout the Albert Hall really do capture every angle, from the up close looks at the intricate fretwork of Devin and guitarist Dave Young, to the thundering rhythm section of Ryan Van Poederooyen and Brian ‘Beav’ Waddell. All surrounded by a sea of smiling die hard fans, the atmosphere and grandeur of the evening is really well captured.
The concert footage arrives Nov. 13th and comes in a variety of formats, including an artbook of 44 pages including the entire concert as well as extensive behind-the-scenes bonus footage and a full documentary, pressed on three CDs, two DVDs and a Blu-ray disc, as special edition digipak with three CDs and a DVD and as Blu-ray, including the entire show and bonus material.
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Rating 4/5
