Artist: Black Label Society
Title: “European Invasion – Doom Troopin’” [Blu-ray]
Label: Eagle Vision
Release Date: 8/24/2010
Genre: Hard Rock
Rating: 4/5

The advances of technology and upgrades in the way that we are able to enjoy music videos and audio releases now finds the once over being given to Black Label Society’s DVD “European Invasion – Doom Troopin’” DVD which now comes to us in Blu-ray format. As with all Blu-rays, these versions are much better visually and in terms of the audio that they offer and in the case of this particular one finds two DVD’s being delivered on a single disc. That being said the rest of the release is exactly the same as the previous version which we found being delivered to the assorted BLS chapters back in 2006. Having noted the immediate differences, the rest of our thoughts on this release remain the same as when it first came out. Check out what we had to say about it once again.

“Doom Troopin’ Live: The European Invasion” finds Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society in Rock solid form once again. The second DVD from the guitarist is a lot better than the “Boozed, Bruised and Broken Boned” release from a couple of years ago in terms of both camera work and overall production. “BBBB” seemed to be a little too thrown together and lost my interest at a number of turns while this new release had me from start to finish. Clearly they were paying a little more attention to details and quality this time around. This video finds BLS in support of their Artemis Records album “Mafia” and shortly after the album tour completed the band would leave the label to join Roadrunner Records. Fortunately for all Chapter members the good folks at Eagle Vision captured a killer set of tunes on film when the group hit Europe and give it to them in vibrant color. The first DVD of the two disk set features a long performance from Paris (with the Paris Chapter as they call it) along with just under a handful of songs from the London Astoria (noted with an “*” below). As the casual BLS fan I was happy to find the songs I enjoyed most present here such as “Stillborn” along with newer, quality numbers like “Suicide Messiah” and “In This River”. Wylde dedicates this particular song to his fallen Brother Dimebag Darrell Abbott and truly rips the strings like never before with this number. Clearly, Dime is not someone who will easily be forgotten especially when it comes to Zakk and their Friendship.

The set list is also a great mix and the band is very energetic throughout. I caught one of the shows when it hit New York, and don’t remember enjoying it as much as I enjoyed catching it on this DVD. Perhaps the band was not having a good night or maybe it was me as I recalled mixed opinion on that show and none of that is found on this film. That difference alone made it a worthy viewing session for me and I am sure his fans will feel the exact same way. Since that show the band has added James Lomenzo (formerly of White Lion and Pride & Glory) on the bass as he joins Craig Nunenmacher (drums) and Nick Catanese (guitar and vocals) to make sure that Zakk has a powerful group along with him. It’s perhaps the tightest I have seen BLS in some time. The release continues with “Backstage Pass” (a 50 minute documentary on the band) and then several of their videos: “Suicide Messiah”, “In This River”, “Fire It Up”, making of “Suicide Messiah”. I love documentaries like this and this particular one is a bunch of tied together segments with interview footage and commentary while live footage is shown. There are also some treats to enjoy as the band tours some other countries and takes some time off. Of the videos, I would have to say that “In This River” is the most powerful as it’s loaded with imagery and references to Dimebag Darrell who was one of Zakk’s very best friends in the wild world of music.

This is the DVD that all of Zakk’s Chapter Members have been waiting for as its loaded with music and interesting features that will all serve as a nice herald for the new album from the band. Be sure to check this one out if you are one of the people who “Bleeds Black Label”. I don’t doubt that all of the BLS fans with some tenure secured a copy when this first came out in 2006 but now that it’s on a Blu-ray disc the newer fans and perhaps those PS3 gamers can sink their teeth into it as well. If your one of those types that just loves an upgrade then be sure to get this one, and make a stocking stuffer or gift of the older one if you can part with it.

Song Listing:
1. Intro Jam
2. Stoned And Drunk
3. Destruction Overdrive
4. Been A Long Time
5. Ironman Interlude
6. Funeral Bell
7. Suffering Overdue
8. In This River
9. Suicide Messiah
10. Demise Of Sanity
11. Spread Your Wings
12. Solo Acoustic Jam
13. Spoke In The Wheel
14. Fire It Up
15. Stillborn
16. Genocide Junkies
17. Been A Long Time *
18. Suicide Messiah *
19. Stillborn Jam *
20. Genocide Junkies *

Official Web site: http://www.blacklabelsociety.com