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PiercingMetal’s “Best Of” 2008: The Videos and Concerts

Hello again, we are back with the rest of the years “Best Of” for 2008. In an earlier installment I posted all of the albums that blew me away and now its time to showcase the videos and concerts along with a few other quick items. Please take a look down below and get ready to share your own favorites with us.

Logo - The Best Of

The Best DVD’s of 2008:

Various Artists “Roadrunner United” (Roadrunner Records): Filmed concert with Heavy Metal’s finest celebrating the record labels 25th anniversary. Lots of fun stuff here.

Opeth “The Roundhouse Tapes” (Peaceville Records): Filmed during the “Ghost Reveries” tour and a follow up to the CD released last year.

Twisted Sister “Live At The Astoria” (Demolition Records): The SMF’s from NYC remind London and the world about why they are a Metal super power to this very day.

Within Temptation “Black Symphony” (Roadrunner Records): A stunning live concert performance that pairs the Dutch sensations with a full orchestra. This is an amazing show. Audio CD included.

Iron Maiden “Live After Death” (Universal Music): Never before on DVD this classic Iron Maiden show from the “Powerslave” tour, this release was loaded with extras and is listed as required Metal.

Lamb Of God “Walk With Me In Hell” (Epic Records): This documentary took the viewer on a three year trek with the band and was insightful, entertaining and sometimes jarring in its honesty. Great job guys.

Dimmu Borgir “The Invaluable Darkness Tour” (Nuclear Blast Records): The giants of Norwegian Black Metal have their tour captured on DVD for more to enjoy. A great set with a ton of features.

Blackmore’s Night “Paris Moon” (SPV Records): A great concert from the Renaissance Rockers. Bonus CD included.
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“Paris Moon” by Blackmore’s Night

Artist: Blackmore’s Night
Title: “Paris Moon”
Label: SPV Records
Release Date: 11/6/2007
Genre: Renaissance Rock
Rating: 4/5

For just about a decade now Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night have taken their group Blackmore’s Night around the world to play wonderful shows at Concert Halls and Renaissance Fairs much to the delight of their ever growing fan base. The live DVD “Paris Moon” presents them in concert at the famed Olympia Theatre in Paris France during their 2006 appearance where the band was celebrating the latest album in their catalog, the SPV Records release “The Village Lanterne”. This DVD is actually the second such issue in a row from the group but there are some significant differences between the two that make each one something that the viewer can enjoy without finding too much in the way of repetition. The first one was called “Castles And Dreams” and on this we found them appearing at a Renaissance Festival in Germany. The band was performing under the stars in front of an audience that was largely decked out in traditional Ren-Faire garb while “Paris Moon” gives you the chance to see them do their thing in a beautiful theatre indoors. Having viewed both of the DVD’s I was happy to see a theatrical presentation of the band because I had not yet been able to attend a concert myself and felt that this was the next best thing until I can get around to doing so. While one can agree that a live DVD is not as good as actually being at the show you cannot argue about their effectiveness in reaching a larger audience than any one gig affords them to. Like the previous DVD this one does its job commendably and brings the viewer straight to the front row and center stage as the wonders of Blackmore’s Night unfold before their very eyes.
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“The Village Lanterne” by Blackmore’s Night

Artist: Blackmore’s Night
Title: “The Village Lanterne”
Label: SPV Records
Release Date: 4/4/2006
Genre: Classical/Medieval
Rating: 8/10

Following their excellent live recording “Castles & Dreams”, Blackmore’s Night would once again return to bring your musical mind to a different place and apparently a different time as well. I looked forward to this new studio recording because the live CD/DVD was just incredible and a refreshing change for me as a fan of interesting musical adventures. The accomplishments of Richie Blackmore are well documented and now along with his Partner, the lovely Candice Night he continues to write in this book by bringing Medieval and Renaissance styled themes to a totally modern world. One does need to separate themselves from his work in Deep Purple and Rainbow as while he might surprise you with a rendition or two of a classic, there is a different feel to them under the Blackmore’s Night treatment. Showcasing his skill level as a guitar player and musician; Blackmore finds himself not only handling the traditional guitar, but acoustic instruments and lutes as well as a hurdy gurdy. Candice sings lead and backing vocals, but also plays various tambourines and the recorder and flutes. Together they form the core of this unique troupe of minstrels and the more you listen to the record the more you wish you were outside at a Festival among friends drinking good wines and enjoying stories of life and fun times.
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“Castles And Dreams” by Blackmore’s Night

Artist: Blackmore’s Night
Title: “Castles And Dreams”
Label: SPV Records
Release Date: 10/11/2005
Genre: Classical/Medieval
Rating: 8/10

Every so often you find yourself watching a video performance that is an absolute surprise and more interesting than you thought it could have possibly been. This was the case that I would find when watching the new live concert release by Blackmore’s Night. To many the music fan, the name of Ritchie Blackmore is not a secret based upon his contributions and musical innovations with Deep Purple and Rainbow. After almost 30 years of performance as a legend in Rock, he switched gears entirely and began working with his partner Candace Night on a series of Classical and Medieval based songs. The result was the Renaissance Fair styling of Blackmore’s Night and to appreciate it fully you need to approach it with an open mind. This is not hard rock or even blues but a wonderful array of traditional instruments mixed with ones from the past along with flutes, pipes and violins. The end result is truly something that merits watching. This concert film is interesting enough and filled with a number of great songs throughout the performance. Recorded at a Renaissance Fair in Veldenstein Castle the setting of the stage resembles a Medieval marketplace and the musicians (or minstrels) are all dressed in period clothing. Joining Candace Night (who performs the lead vocals) and Ritchie Blackmore are the following players: Bard David Of Larchmont, Lady Madeline and Lady Nancy (The Sisters Of The Moon), Squire Malcolm Of Lumley, Sir Robert Of Normandie, and Tudor Rose. As you can see everyone keeps in the character and the spirit of the music they are performing. It works better for the effect they are bringing across and as the camera pans over the audience you can see that they are also largely dressed in period clothing.
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