For all of you Pain of Salvation fans who perhaps might have had a hard time grasping the recent concept piece Be, the band has released this live DVD, a full-blown stage production of the entire Be album, filmed in front of a small studio audience. The stage set was especially constructed for the DVD, and an orchestra joins the band onstage as well. Seeing this concept piece performed like the rock opera that it is onstage far exceeds the impact the CD has in many aspects. For one, Daniel Gildenlow is a marvelous frontman who is not only a great singer and guitar player, but also goes through many wardrobe changes which help accentuate the story that is being told. His facial expressions and movements are highly entertaining, helping move Be into territory previously manned by Geoff Tate on Queensryche's Operation Mindcrime or Peter Gabriel on The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway from Genesis. Having the orchestra adds to the lushness of the music, which really helps considering that Be is the bands most progressive sounding offering to date, much less reliant on metal thunder and highly symphonic. Visually, the production is very well done here, the lighting dark and mysterious when need be, and the camera work precise. As for the playing, well, the band and the orchestra are impeccable, which is saying a lot due to the complex and dense nature of the piece. They pull if off masterfully.
Once you have played the concert a few times (and you will probably need to if you want it all to soak in) be sure to check out the special features, which contain a plethora of material, as well as some hidden eggs if you are adventurous enough to look for them. Much of the bonus material is a little "out there", but if you are really interested in the lyrics and general meaning behind the concept of Be then you will really enjoy some of the stuff here. This is highly recommended material from one of the most creative progressive metal bands on the planet.
Set List
1. Animae Partus
2. Deus Nova
3. Imago
4. Pluvius Aestivus
5. Lilium Cruentus
6. Nauticus
7. Dea Pecuniae
8. Vocari Dei
9. Diffidentia
10. Nihil Morari
11. Latertius Valette
12. Omni
13. Iter Impius
14. Matius/Nauticus II
15. Animae Partus II
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