Believe: Seeing Is Believing (DVD)

Welcome back my friends to the venue that never ends! Once more we are invited to Poland's Wyspianski Theater to witness another of Metal Mind Productions excellent progressive rock DVD's, this time featuring Poland's very own Believe. The smartly titled Seeing Is Believing as actually the band's second live DVD, however with a newly expanded line-up and an acclaimed 2011 album in the shape of World Is Round, this performance truly finds an invigorated band on the top of their form. Previously I have to admit that I've found some of the more introverted, downbeat prog from Believe to be tough going when taken in large doses. However I found myself being slightly disappointed when this extensive set had run its course, so much so that I immediately sat through another two short performances, an interview and the documentary which, along with the usual discog, pics and bio, make up the excellent extras on this DVD.

Not the most mobile band you are likely to see on stage, Believe still manage to capture your imagination and concentration through their lush, latter day Marillion meets Riverside sound, which ebbs, flows and positively over brims with emotion. Singer Karol Wroblewski, whose entrance on to the stage backed by blue light and singing through a megaphone is mightily effective, is a strong focal point for the band, but one happy to blend into the background when the sparkling keyboard work of Konrad Wantrych and scintillating guitars from Mirek Gil (Collage/Mr.Gil) edge their way to the front. Live it also becomes much more apparent just how integral violinist Satomi has become to the essence and atmospheric spirit of the band, giving Believe, especially when counterpunching Wroblewski's flute skills, an individual slant that is neither placed in the shadows, nor over exposed. Add to that a wonderful light show and excellent use of the many cameras utilised to capture this performance and Seeing Is Believing becomes exactly that. The band's first DVD, Hope To See Another Day came after their first album, so to make this release more appealing to their long time fans, the songs that make up SiB, focus on the albums which have followed, with "What They Want (Is My Life)", "This Bread Is Mine" and "Silence" proving to be highlights.

The extras are well worth your time as well, with the band's performance at "Friends Of Robert 2011" capturing a rawer, rougher sound that while lacking the Metal Mind gloss and sheen, offers a harder edged side to the band - something I found most appealing. As was the excellent cover version of Marillion's "Chelsea Monday". Add to that a short band interview and an excellent fifteen minute documentary called "Music For One Leg", which highlights the journey that the band's mono-pod drummer Vlodi Tafel took from professional footballer, to amputee, to being a pretty phenomenal drummer and the extras here are much better than those on many similar DVD's. I should at this stage also mention that these features are all in Polish (as are the stage raps), with English subtitles, although none of them suffer in any way because of this.

While I have enjoyed the music of Believe before, I have to be honest and admit that I'd never have described myself as a fan of the band. However hearing their music in this setting suddenly made much more sense and I certainly see myself being captivated time and again by the many aspects of Seeing Is Believing. Yet another winner from Metal Mind Productions.

Track Listing
1. No Time Inside
2. World Is Round
3. This Bread Is Mine
4. And All The Roads
5. What They Want Is My Life
6. Lay Down Forever
7. AA
8. Guru
9. New Hands
10. Cut Me Paste Me
11. Poor King Of Sun/Return
12. Silence

Added: July 21st 2012
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Believe on MySpace
Hits: 2130
Language: english

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