Alex DiVincenzo
11/11/08, 11:55 AM
Mushroomhead - Volume 2 [DVD]
Record Label: Filthy Hands / Megaforce Records
Release Date: October 28, 2008
Mushroomhead released their first DVD, aptly titled Volume 1, in 2005, at what many would consider the height of their career. They're back three years later with - you guessed it - Volume 2. It's more of the same, but if you dug the first one you'll need to check this out as well.
The disc follows the Cleveland-based septet through a lengthy tour in support of 2006's Savior Sorrow, their latest album. It features all kinds of tour antics: sword fights in homemade knight costumes, target practice at a gun range, automobile troubles, alcohol consumption, fights between members, girls flashing their breasts, and plenty of gay jokes. Despite their ghastly appearance, the band proves to be fun-loving guys. The viewer is able to get behind the masks and into the heads of the madmen, with a chapter dedicated to each member, and discover what life is like on tour with the alternative metal act. Mixed in are six music videos, each with the band's distinct, horror movie-esque aesthetic.
In addition to the two-hour feature, there's also an audio commentary by the band for their "1200" music video; a featurette about the making of their video for "Save Us," which is more of the band goofing off on the video set for thirteen minutes rather than any actual making-of footage, but it's fun nonetheless; and fifteen minutes of deleted scenes, which were rightfully dropped, as most of it is had-to-be-there humor. Lastly, there is what would likely intrigue any fan who has witnessed the band's ghoulish live show, three live songs. Unfortunately they're shot with a camcorder so the quality leaves something to be desired, but it beats most videos you'll likely find on YouTube. I don't understand why the band didn't film an entire performance for the DVD. After seeing them behind the scenes, you'll want to experience them in their element.
Mushroomhead has a rabid cult of fans who will eat this DVD up, but any casual listener need not apply. It's fun to see the group unmasked and at their most real, but the rewatch value is low due to a lack of a narrative flow. Had it been presented in more of a documentary format, it would have been easier to swallow a second time. I'm also still pushing for a live DVD. As it stands, however, any dedicated fan of the band will want to proudly display Volume 2 right next to Volume 1.
Mudvayne; Slipknot; Static-X; American Head Charge; Sevendust
myspace.com/mushroomhead (http://www.myspace.com/mushroomhead)
Record Label: Filthy Hands / Megaforce Records
Release Date: October 28, 2008
Mushroomhead released their first DVD, aptly titled Volume 1, in 2005, at what many would consider the height of their career. They're back three years later with - you guessed it - Volume 2. It's more of the same, but if you dug the first one you'll need to check this out as well.
The disc follows the Cleveland-based septet through a lengthy tour in support of 2006's Savior Sorrow, their latest album. It features all kinds of tour antics: sword fights in homemade knight costumes, target practice at a gun range, automobile troubles, alcohol consumption, fights between members, girls flashing their breasts, and plenty of gay jokes. Despite their ghastly appearance, the band proves to be fun-loving guys. The viewer is able to get behind the masks and into the heads of the madmen, with a chapter dedicated to each member, and discover what life is like on tour with the alternative metal act. Mixed in are six music videos, each with the band's distinct, horror movie-esque aesthetic.
In addition to the two-hour feature, there's also an audio commentary by the band for their "1200" music video; a featurette about the making of their video for "Save Us," which is more of the band goofing off on the video set for thirteen minutes rather than any actual making-of footage, but it's fun nonetheless; and fifteen minutes of deleted scenes, which were rightfully dropped, as most of it is had-to-be-there humor. Lastly, there is what would likely intrigue any fan who has witnessed the band's ghoulish live show, three live songs. Unfortunately they're shot with a camcorder so the quality leaves something to be desired, but it beats most videos you'll likely find on YouTube. I don't understand why the band didn't film an entire performance for the DVD. After seeing them behind the scenes, you'll want to experience them in their element.
Mushroomhead has a rabid cult of fans who will eat this DVD up, but any casual listener need not apply. It's fun to see the group unmasked and at their most real, but the rewatch value is low due to a lack of a narrative flow. Had it been presented in more of a documentary format, it would have been easier to swallow a second time. I'm also still pushing for a live DVD. As it stands, however, any dedicated fan of the band will want to proudly display Volume 2 right next to Volume 1.
Mudvayne; Slipknot; Static-X; American Head Charge; Sevendust
myspace.com/mushroomhead (http://www.myspace.com/mushroomhead)