What is perhaps most impressive about this DVD is the documentary on the making of TtAoE. At almost half an hour it is an interesting view offering a unique perspective into the life of the band as they left Roadrunner Records in 2002, lost yet another band member, flirted with Phil Demmel as a member (this was before he fully accepted the gig), and the limbo Machine Head was in at home in the U.S. because Roadrunner International picked them up everywhere else and TtAoE was just crushing in the worldwide media. This ain't some kind of monster -- it's much more compelling. And shorter, too. :) Also included on the DVD are 3 videos ("Imperium"/"The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears"/"Days Turn Blue to Gray") replete with "making of" featurettes.

I've always considered Machine Head to possess a sound somewhere between the Thrash of Slayer and the Groove of Pantera and this is borne out in the live setting. Even if you don't know the songs you will find plenty to enjoy here as the band has a definite presence and deliver the goods with a prowess seldom seen in other than the most veteran of acts. If you're not already into the band, this may convert you and at ~$15 it's a bargain. Forget about The Burning Red and perhaps even Supercharger. Stick with BME, The More Things Change, TtAoE, and now Elegies. Note: One can watch the concert movie with the track listing as shown below, or the concert only, which excludes tracks #5 and #15 and has a run time of 81:34. [Thanks to my man Ed Rivadavia for hooking up this review.]

written by Tony Belcher

Playing time: 97.09