Описание
Genre: Thrash Metal
Label: Crash Music Inc
Playing time: 55 min.
Band homepage: Flotsam & Jetsam
Tracklist:
1. Me
2. No Place For Disgrace
3. The Master Sleeps
4. Nothing To Say
5. Hard On You
6. Escape From Within
7. Hammerhead
8. Doomsday For The Deceiver
9. Straight To Hell (Music Video)
Flotsam & Jetsam — Live In Japan (DVD)
This live DVD brought to us by Crash Music has met more turbulence upon release than Harrison Ford experienced in the sub-par “Air Force One”. Complaints of shoddy audio and visual quality as well as sparse packaging have been the vanguard of the criticism. Thus the question we must pose and consequently answer is whether or not these claims hold water.
First of all, the set-list nearly completely mimics that of the “Live In Phoenix” DVD released in 2004. This is, of course, quite disappointing as the release finds its uncomfortable niche as a completist item, offering nothing altogether new from the previous effort. The single difference in song choice is the addition of “Doomsday For The Deceiver”, which is sorely missed on the previous DVD. This is one of FLOTSAM’s best tracks and certainly deserves its place as a live staple. The song selection is generally solid if one can ignore the fact it has been released before. Every album is represented with integrity and thus any FLOTSAM AND JETSAM fan could find something to wet his palate.
The DVD kicks off from an extremely removed angle a good 30 yards from the stage. This is not terrible as an introduction but the fact that this camera is utilized off and on throughout the show is quite aggravating. This is not a Sergio Leone flick and the extreme distance in contrast to the close-ups is completely unneeded for a majority of the shots. The 2 or 3 additional cameras get the job done, offering closer inspection upon the band’s live performance, but offer nothing completely special or spectacular. The quality of the footage is also definitively mediocre. It’s not completely horrible like the double disc DARKTHRONE bootlegs floating around, but it’s also no “Live In Sao Paulo”. Ultimately, I’m shallowly satisfied as this was put out by a relatively small label and I do not need High Def for a Metal concert.
There have been a number of people testifying to the fact that the left channel is outputting no sound. Craig Nielson made a statement urging anyone who experiences this problem to contact the label, as this is an isolated problem and the DVD is intended to play through both speakers. My copy does not suffer this problem as both channels are functioning properly and I have no problem with the sound at all. The quality, once again, is not stellar but is certainly adequate. The exclusion of 5.1 surround sound is a bit of a mishap when it is quickly becoming standard (even albums are being released with DVD counterparts these days) but the quality of what we have is acceptable.
As for bonus features, all we have is the promo video of “Straight To Hell” off their newest album, “Dreams Of Death”, that’s it. This is a travesty and I must once again point to SEPULTURA’s latest double-disc DVD which sets the bar and must be followed if integrity wishes to be upheld. Labels consistently shoving mediocre DVD’s upon the scene is beginning to aggravate me and an inclusion of worthwhile bonus features is a sure way to band-aid this problem.
A majority of the complaints concerning “Live In Japan” have either been blown out of proportion or are isolated instances. This is pretty damn run of the mill as far as DVD releases go, but the band is certainly into their performance and are still capable of rocking out on such classics as “Hammerhead” and “Doomsday For The Deceiver”. I’d recommend this DVD if you are a die-hard FLOTSAM fan or if you can find it for relatively cheap. Otherwise, throw down your money on one of the band’s early albums.
