Search - Music of Mass Destruction- Live in Chicago (DVD with bonus CD) on DVD

Finally, live 'thrax on dvd!

D. Tonya | Barber-tucky, Ohio | 04/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After numerous delays and other problems, we finally get a live performance of Anthrax on DVD. The dvd design (menus) is reasonably original and well executed. While the show is filmed with 8 camera's, not all of them are useful angles (one is high up on the side of the stage behind a support column). The video itself is a mixture of matted widescreen and normal full screen sources and the colors could be stronger and the blacks be a little blacker. But, perhaps I'm being a bit critical because I use Motorhead's "Boneshaker" dvd as the benchmark standard for heavy metal concert videos. Anthrax doesn't have the budget or facilities that Motorhead had.Now while the video quality is less than stellar, it is more than made up for in the sound and the performance. The stereo sound track on the video is very similar to the included CD version, but it's the 5.1 mix that really stands out. It is one of the cleanest multichannel live mixes I've heard to date (I've produced a few myself). When played at near concert levels on a reference quality theater system, it really feels like you're at the show. The performance is also top notch as Chicago is one of the bands favorite towns to play (the Chicago crowd may be larger, but the Cleveland crowd was definitely louder). The reason for giving it 5 stars has more to do with the value than anything else. So while the video quality nets 4 stars, the audio quality and the total price easily push it to the 5 star rating. And a special note to all the dorks that say the John Bush era of Anthrax isn't any good, well you're partially right. Anthrax isn't good, they're excellent! Yeah they don't play speed metal like in the mid 80's, but then again no band of consequence does these days. Of all the old school bands from the 80's, Anthrax is still one of the few that is just as relevant now as then. Along with Motorhead, they carry the torch of what is METAL into the new millennium."

Finally,a live Anthrax DVD!

M. Puziss | Frederick, MD United States | 05/09/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Anthrax are my second favorite of the Big Four thrash bands(Metallica,Megadeth,Anthrax,Slayer).They had released 2 live VHS videos before this,but no DVDs.Finally now we have a DVD.This was shot at the Metro in Chicago on the Taking The Music Back tour.It is a very high energy show.It has a sixteen song set that spans there career from Among The Living to We've Come For You All.I have a few complaints with the setlist.It doesn't have ANYTHING from Spreading The Disease,which is one of the best thrash albums EVER.It also doesn't have the title track to Among The Living.They played it on their PPV concert from 2000,why couldn't they play it here? The only other thing wrong with this DVD is that the guitar solos are so low in the mix.However,Rob Caggiano does an EXCELLENT job with the Dan Spitz and Paul Crook solos.Some highlights include "What Doesn't Die","Only","Nobody Knows Anything","Caught In A Mosh",and "Antisocial".However,the BEST song on the DVD is "Bring The Noise." This is MUCH better than the one with Public Enemy.Plus,they play the first verse and chorus of Metallica's "Whiplash" at the end.So if you are an Anthrax fan,I highly recommend this DVD."

Music of Mass Destruction - in a small venue.

Drewboy | Urbana, IL USA | 04/23/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was just at the Metro this past Tuesday seeing Iced Earth. I was a little irritated that in the DVD they don't show the crowd much, but having been in the Metro, now I know that there really isn't much of a place to show. I saw Anthrax in Indianapolis the Tuesday before this show in Chicago was taped, and I think that John sang better there than in this DVD. The energy, however, is undeniable. I think that the picture quality is ok for a concert DVD, but there are better. Low light conditions suck for recording video. The sound quality of the DVD is awesome though, just about as close to being in a live situation as is possible. If I had friends with me while watching the DVD, I would have done as said in the beginning and started a mosh pit in my own living room. The DVD/Cd combo is a great value for $17, so I highly recommend it!"

For the most part awesome

exodus | 08/17/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm only a casual Anthrax fan with the essentials Among the living, Spreading the Disease, and stuff like that but I thought I'd check this out. Since I dont know enough of the discography to vouge my opinion of the setlist I was satisfied with there choices. The tracks that really stood out was What doesnt Die, Caught in the Mosh, and Antisocial but they were all good for the most part. The bands energy was great, John Bush did a awesome job, Scott and Frank seemed really pumped for this show. Like everyone else has noted the solos are kinda low but Rob still does a good job. Charlie is awesome at drums and does some incredible doublebass work but that leads me to what really bugged me about this. Somethin that nobody has mentioned is what sounds like a triggered click to the bass drums. Some people may not have noticed or like it that way but it really got to me half way through. The extra crap is pretty cool Robs section is really funny Scotts is pretty interesting. Theres also a big interview with there albumn cover artist.

Overall its a great concert with a few minor setbacks, so anthrax fans definitly check it out."