RITUALIVE

If you love power metal music, this DVD is a viewing (as well as listening) pleasure because it delivers excellent performance from start to finish. From viewing this DVD I can see vividly that Andre matos is a very talented musician. He is not just singing the lyric verses but he is also playing KAWAI keyboard and pan-pipes. It's beyond my expectation that Andre can sing as high as studio version of "Ritual" album. Like in studio version, the show opens with quite long "Ancient Winds" in ambient orchestral arrangements. Yes, I'm now fantasizing like watching a silver screen movie. Through the sound of high hats from drum set "Here I Am" blasts the venue with fast speed music in high energy. Andre Matos starts his voice in confident. He can handle high register notes brilliantly. All other members of the band do excellent stage acts in line with the music. It's so attractive. The band continues with the captivating "Distant Thunder", performed in excellent way.

The show is quite dynamic as far as interaction with the crowd. During "Time Will Come" where the opening keyboard part is played by Matos, the band communicates with the crowd through its music. There are interesting music segments that play as interlude where the band communicates with the crowd. What a nice shot! The band also play song from ANGRA period with "Lisbon". In here the crowd is now totally "in communication" with the band as they sing along during the opening part. Howling guitar solo is also interesting part of this track - followed with the crowd sing along. Oh .. what a great live vibes, my friend! This is one of the most enjoyable part of this DVD. Oh man .. Andre Matos delivers his high register notes perfectly! Guitar solo and drum solo are another excellent attraction followed with "Over Your Head" and piano solo by Matos. This piano solo provides perfect landing for great ballad I have ever heard "Fairy Tale". When the piano sounds like an opening of this song, the crowd reacts through screaming. They even sing along with Matos. What a surprise is that there is a violin player (Marcus Viana) that plays during the opening part of "Fairy Tale" (my favorite track!). Oh my friend .. tears almost drop in my eyes . it's so melodic and it's so good how the band performs this track brilliantly! Oh my God .. now I see how Matos sings high register notes beautifully! Awesome!

What a surprise is that this concert has special guests of big names in metal world. They are: Tobias Sammet (Edguy), Andi Deris (Helloween), Michael Weikath (Helloween), Sascha Paeth (Heaven Gate, producer, guitar). Tobias and Sascha play two songs "Sign of The Cross" and "Pride". Andi Deris and Michael Weikath perform Helloween's song "Eagle Fly Free". The way Michael Weikath plays his guitar is entertaining and it's similar when he played in Jakarta two years ago. It's interesting to see how two guitarists play their solos at the same time. Great performance! Oh by the way, the band's performance on ANGRA's "Carry On" is superb!

Overall, this is a perfect live DVD you would expect from a power metal band with many prog touches during the stream of the music it produces. Yes, my rating is devoted to the fact that this is a power metal band with powerful composition. Highly recommended. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW