Great Performance, Bad Sound... - As other reviews have noted the performance and video production are near flawless, but the sound is a problem for me. The original release of the DVD in 2000 featured a mono sound mix that was so lo-fi that it was almost non-existent. This 2004 version corrects the volume problem, but the mix is still mono. On a 5.1 system audio only comes out of the center speaker. This is not something I expect from a 21st century release. Is a 5.1 mix or at least a stereo mix too much to ask for in the DVD age? I mean, I know this is black metal, but this was a point in Emperor s career that they actually had financial backing behind them, and even their earliest albums were in stereo. They were touring in support of IX Equilibrium not Wrath of the Tyrant after all. Anyway, still a great DVD to own, but gets 3 stars due to the sound.
Awesome - I thought it was awesome, got a Children of Bodom DVD and a Strapping Young Lad one at the same time and this was the best by far.
Amazing Live Band. - When you have your headphones on and are listening to Anthems, IX Equilibrium, or any Emperor, and you hear that amazing wall of sound, complex riffs and drums that would make Hellhammer drool, you wonder if they can pull it all off live or not? This DVD is proof that they did. This contains a flawless set from some of the best musicians to come out of the Norwegian Black Metal scene. I thought it could have been a double DVD with more tunes, I defintely missed hearing The Warriors of Modern Death, but this is stil mandatory Emperor for any fan. Crystal clear picture quality, mixed with superior sound, you just can t go wrong on this one. When Emperor takes the stage and Curse You All Men! starts, you realize what a fierce, live band this is. Don t pass this up!!
All hail the mighty Emperor! - Recorded live in London 1999, this DVD is all the more interesting considering their recent reunion(of sorts). From the opener Curse You All Men to the closing number the band effortlessly translate their complex studio sound to the live arena. The production is slick and professional throughout apart from a few minor gripes - there are far too many shots of Ihsahn and not nearly enough of Samoth and Trym. For some strange reason, there s a lot of shots of the security team too! Such gripes are very small irritations though and soon forgotten. The song selection is nicely varied and includes the best ones like I Am The Black Wizards, Inno A Satana, Sworn, etc. There may have been a better black metal band but I just can t think of one.
must have for metal heads. - I bought this DVD on a whim, not knowing what to expect (emperor products vary WIDELY in their quality), but this was nothing short of amazing. From curse you all men all the way to the Loss and Curse of Reverence video, this DVD absolutely blew my mind. Very tight, few mistakes, completely faithful to the recordings, and most of all, they totally pulled their complex studio recordings off in the live arena. Excellent musicians, excellent live band. Wish they would ve come to the states.