Rate Breaking the Fourth Wall

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

What's the grade you give this Blu-Ray? I'm giving it a solid 8 right now, but it's growing real fast so it might become a 9 any moment soon.

[Skeever]

I'm feeling a strong 4 / light 5.

Pros:
- Great performances from the band
- Good second half w. Awake songs and then orchestra
- Well shot and directed
- Overall nice package

Cons:
- James' performance just "OK"
- First set leaves a lot to be desired
- Very compressed audio
- Mix is very muddy and thin sounding - this is a deal breaker

Overall I would file this release into a "for hardcore fans only" category. If someone's a casual fan or new to DT, I'd recommend them other DVDs first.

[Anguyen92]

Overall I would file this release into a "for hardcore fans only" category. If someone's a casual fan or new to DT, I'd recommend them other DVDs first.

I respectfully digress.  I watched it with only really knowing 8 songs from that setlist (five of them were from the self-titled) and I was just floored with the performance, as a whole, and that it was pretty easy to get into the show if you have an good broad idea of what the band is all about.  I gave it a 9.

[Skeever]

Overall I would file this release into a "for hardcore fans only" category. If someone's a casual fan or new to DT, I'd recommend them other DVDs first.

I digress.  I watched it with only really knowing 8 songs from that setlist (five of them were from the self-titled) and I was just floored with the performance, as a whole, and that it was pretty easy to get into the show if you have an good broad idea of what the band is all about.  I gave it a 9.

Glad you enjoyed it 

[bosk1]

I give it a 9, easily. 

Only two VERY small complaints:
1.  The mix is just a little funky for me.  Although no mix is perfect, especially for a live show, the heaviness of a few songs didn't smack me upside the head as much as it should have because the guitar was a little low and the keyboards a little high. 
2.  The overlay on Scarred was REALLY distracting.  For the first time EVER, after several tries on a live performance captured for release, we have a nearly flawless performance of this song...and they do that to it. 

I was tempted to still give it a 10 anyway.  This is truly a phenominal release.

[TAC]

2.  The overlay on Scarred was REALLY distracting.  For the first time EVER, after several tries on a live performance captured for release, we have a nearly flawless performance of this song...and they do that to it. 

Really. WTF is that even all about? Why would they do that?

Like a cross between the Live Scenes VHS and The Beat Club.

[Zydar]

At this point I'll give it a 9. The only thing keeping it from being a 10 is that I'd like to replace some songs (TSF, Scarred, OTBOA) and add at least one from I&W.

[BlobVanDam]

This thread should have been titled "Rating the Fourth Wall". Missed opportunity!

[YtseJamittaja]

I'll give 8. No complaints about mix or sound here!

+ The setlist is really good and enjoyable
+ The performance quality is far better than in any other tour (includes incredible tour videos)
+ Mangini's fills and attitude
- The lack of different live versions of songs (no instrumental additional jams etc.)
- Mangini is playing too heavily sometimes where he should relax a little.
- the lack of bonus material

[KevShmev]

2.  The overlay on Scarred was REALLY distracting.  For the first time EVER, after several tries on a live performance captured for release, we have a nearly flawless performance of this song...and they do that to it. 

Really. WTF is that even all about? Why would they do that?

Agreed.  Whoever decided to do that should be kicked in the nuts. 

[Mladen]

2.  The overlay on Scarred was REALLY distracting.  For the first time EVER, after several tries on a live performance captured for release, we have a nearly flawless performance of this song...and they do that to it. 

Really. WTF is that even all about? Why would they do that?

Agreed.  Whoever decided to do that should be kicked in the nuts.

Wait a second, what are you talking about? What is overlay? I haven't seen the DVD yet.

[CharlesPL]

Agreed.  Whoever decided to do that should be kicked in the nuts.

+1 i Understand Enigma Machine,The Enemy Inside,but Scarred?

[nikatapi]

I give it a 9. My only complaints are JP's muddy tone, JM is a bit low, and i would like to see a little bit more of Jordan. Otherwise it's a great looking show, and i got chills during IT, even though i don't like the song that much.

One of the best DT live releases, leaps and bounds better than the mediocre LALP.

[hefdaddy42]

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

This thread should have been titled "Rating the Fourth Wall". Missed opportunity!

[?]

9 - not a perfect release, but pretty close!

[Juular]

9 for me as well. Love the setlist, the sound is pretty good and the performance is great. Probably my favourite DT live video.

[TheGreatPretender]

Agreed.  Whoever decided to do that should be kicked in the nuts.

+1 i Understand Enigma Machine,The Enemy Inside,but Scarred?

Yeah, but neither of those were even as bad. I mean, those parts faded in and out, and it wasn't that distracting. But with Scarred, they just played that weird overlay that wasn't even what was on the overhead screen, and it was just there, all through the songs, without fading in and out, or giving any exclusivity to the musicians. I don't mind the idea of overlaying some visuals once in a while, but in this case it was down right distracting.

That being said, it would bring the overall level down by maybe 3% meaning to average it out, I'd still give the overall thing a 10/10. Everything other than that was absolutely amazing.
And those who are complaining about the mix, honestly, it has a much more genuine feeling of a concert for me. Whereas Score and LAB etc. sound great, they sound a little dry, and almost mixed like you would a studio album, which I don't mind so much, but this release, and that little bit of extra reverb or whatever, managed to capture the sound of a real concert, without sacrificing the quality, and for that, I think it deserves major credit.

[Progressive Metal Fusion]

I gave 9 without any doubt.
Only few minor things have prevented this release to take a full 10, for example, as said many times, the Scarred overlay thing and the not always perfect Petrucci's tone.
But yeah, these are really minor concerns, what we have in hands is something nearly perfect.

[Sad Wings]

9 due to the lack of bonus material.  The setlist is absolutely killer and it's a great performance.

[Bertielee]

Guys, I think we're in for a DT release having (almost) general approval! Effing  great!

B.Lee

[adamack]

Love this release.

Performance is awesome by everyone. And the mix, though it has some small issues, is WAY better than Luna Park to me.

I gave it a solid 8. The only 2 things that I dislike are:

    - Setlist was great overall, but there were a few issues for my personal taste. None of my favorite DT12 songs were played (BTV, STR, and TBP). But we got TLG  and EM instead, two of my least favorites from DT12 . Also, I will probably get bashed, but I really do not like Lie, Scarred, Trial Of Tears, or Lifting Shadows. So there goes a full 50 minutes of stuff I dislike   Other than that though, awesome set!

    - As someone mentioned, no bonus features. Man...I used to love the documentaries that MP used to commentate on the DVDs!

If Enigma Machine, The Looking Glass, and Lie were replaced with TBP, BTV, and TBP, this release would be a 10 for me. Again, just a personal taste thing.

Still though, it is among my favorite DVDs. Up there with Budoken and Score!

[TAC]

- As someone mentioned, no bonus features. Man...I used to love the documentaries that MP used to commentate on the DVDs!

Don't forget, the Budokan and Score commentaries were on MP's drum cam vids.

[RaiseTheKnife]

Too soon!  Too soon!  I voted LOL.  Every DT release is awesome after initial release.  Give it some breathing room.

[PixelDream]

Too soon!  Too soon!  I voted LOL.  Every DT release is awesome after initial release.  Give it some breathing room.

Good point, although I didn't like Luna Park when it came out and I still don't like it. I have to admit I didn't even watch it through the end. After one hour I knew enough and I turned it off. I'm even surprised by the quality of this release. On par with their best live releases (LSFNY, Budokan, Score). I don't like it better than those three but it's just as good. LSFNY stands out because of its authentic feel, Budokan because of the heaviness and cinematography, and Score because of the symphonic/classic DT setlist. This one, however, may be the most all-round release they've put out. It's so damn solid.

[Grizz]

I give it an 8 because of the fucking audio

[adamack]

- As someone mentioned, no bonus features. Man...I used to love the documentaries that MP used to commentate on the DVDs!

Don't forget, the Budokan and Score commentaries were on MP's drum cam vids.

Oh whoops, I meant the actual documentaries then. Like the 20 years of DT one which came with Score.

My fault, I did not mean to say MP commentaries. 

[Polarbear]

I'll give 8. No complaints about mix or sound here!

+ The setlist is really good and enjoyable
+ The performance quality is far better than in any other tour (includes incredible tour videos)
+ Mangini's fills and attitude
- The lack of different live versions of songs (no instrumental additional jams etc.)
- Mangini is playing too heavily sometimes where he should relax a little.
- the lack of bonus material

Pretty much this. Very good, but not great.

[wolfking]

Cons:
- James' performance just "OK"

What the hell?

[AngelBack]

Cons:
- James' performance just "OK"

What the hell?

Seriously this, James is amazing.  I know his performance was doctored but I don't care, I like to enjoy the performance without too much distraction from sour notes and the "thin" sound James has had on other live DVD's.   

I give it a 9.5.  Band seemed more relaxed and confident than ever.  They even seemed to get a little rock groove on at times.  TLG seemed to have a little swagger that is not on the studio version.

[Dream Team]

Gave it a 9. Everything is good to excellent except JP's and JM's tones. JM was to low in the mix, and JP's muddy messy guitar sound is really getting old. It's like he listened to all the great-sounding riffs from classic metal bands like Maiden, Priest, and Metallica and thought "oh no, those 6-string riffs are not heavy enough, I need a 7-string or detuned 6-string to get the job done". Seriously, you can write great heavy riffs on a normally tuned 6-string just like a bazillion other metal bands have done, and then it wouldn't sound like crap in a live setting.

Edit: also 9 instead of 10 because no TBP, BTV, or STR.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I'm still super convinced that The Bigger Picture might have been a perfect way to close the show.

I mean, Finally Free is all kinds of awesome always, but imagine that after Finally Free they burst out into a "second" encore, which could be TBP. They would be probably tired as hell to that point, but hey...a man can dream!

[aprilethereal]

Gave it a 9. Everything is good to excellent except JP's and JM's tones. JM was to low in the mix, and JP's muddy messy guitar sound is really getting old. It's like he listened to all the great-sounding riffs from classic metal bands like Maiden, Priest, and Metallica and thought "oh no, those 6-string riffs are not heavy enough, I need a 7-string or detuned 6-string to get the job done". Seriously, you can write great heavy riffs on a normally tuned 6-string just like a bazillion other metal bands have done, and then it wouldn't sound like crap in a live setting.

Edit: also 9 instead of 10 because no TBP, BTV, or STR.

This is a silly argument. Low tuning does not equate bad/muddy sound.

[hefdaddy42]

Yeah, it's not like he hasn't been using 7-string guitars for 20 years or anything.

[efx]

Yeah, Meshuggah uses 8 strings and their live sound is nigh-on perfect.