Band members:
- Daniel Gildenlöw-lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Frederik Hermannson-Grand piano, harpsichord, keyboards
- Johan Langell-drums, percussion, vocals
- Kristoffer Gildenlöw-acoustic basses, cello
- Johan Hallgren-guitar, vocals
The Orchestra of Eternity:
- Mihai Cucu-1st violin
- Carmilla Arvidsson-2nd violin
- Kristina Ekman-viola
- Magnus Lanning-cello
- Äsa Karlberg-flute
- Anette Kumlin-oboe
- Nils-Äke Pettersson-clarinet
- Dries van den Poel-bass clarinet
- Sven-Olof Juvas-tuba
This is one interesting live DVD. It was perfromed before the actual BE album was released. SO, it's interesting to see some of the original ideas that the band had planned out (Different lyrics in Lilium Cruentus, No vocals in the middle section of Nihil Morari, different guitar solo in Iter Impius).
The stage set-up is very interesting. The drummer Johan Langell is way in the back and can't be seen at most times unless the cameras are focused on him. The orchestra is towards the left all packed up as a bunch. Johan Hallgreen is on the right side of the stage with a bongo drum set-up behind him that he uses occasionally (most notably in Imago). And Daniel Gildenlow is of course the center of attention, in the middle of the stage. But also their is a mini pool. That's right a pool, in the middle of a metal concert. The pool is really only used in Iter Impius as DG acts out the part of Mr. Money and drops the sunglasses (symbol of something, it's explained in the band commentary) into the pool.
The songs of BE really take a new perspective in this DVD. I feel like all the songs are even more powerful than on the album. Especially the outro to Iter Impius. It's such a giant climax of what cam before it and DG really whales his heart out.
Of course, Lilium Cruentus has different lyrics than on the studio album. I must say that both of the versions of the song have excellent lyrics. Although, I prefer the live version of both the lyrics and the song.
Now, onto the extras. The band commentary is done by Fredrik Hermansson and Daniel Gildenlow. It's basically Daniel spewing out all of his ideas of the concept while Fredrik sits there. It's actually very interesting to listen as they talk about pretty much everything that concerns the performance.
There's also more messages taken out of Vocari Dei as the extras. There's another special message after you figure out the first code made by the drum god Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater.
Also, once you find out the first code, there's an alternate band commentary done by Hermansson and DG. It's basically just them making jokes the whole time. It's one of the funniest things I've ever heard. I won't give away what any of it is, but there's some pretty funny stuff in there.
The DVD has an excellent version of Martius/Nauticus II. In my opinion, it blows away the studio version of the song. Same goes for Imago. Both songs are performed beautifully and have much more power live.
The DVD also comes with a 48-page booklet. Included in it are pictures, lyrics, ideas about the concept, and much more. It also comes with a CD version of the performance so you can hear it at any time.
Overall, I'd reccomend this to any fan of Pos, even if you hated the studio version of BE. The live DVD will give you more insight on the concept, among other things.
5/5
