The Devil Wears Prada - Dead&Alive (Live CD/DVD)
Record Label: Ferret Records
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Live albums are always something nice for fans and music collectors. They offer some of the elements of the concert experience – the raw feel and old-fashioned unedited feel of music – right here at home. Live DVD footage is always nice because it allows fans to see their favorites bands in concerts without even being there; sure, it’s not the same, but it’s something right? The DVD extras and behind the scenes footage is a little something extra, too, so that can’t hurt either.
Thus is the case with The Devil Wears Prada’s first live CD/DVD, Dead&Alive. After pretty much taking over the metalcore world – and fighting the zombie apocalypse – TDWP have become one of the biggest names in heavy music. After four studio records, a fun Zombie EP, and a headlining stint on Warped Tour last summer and a Dead Throne headlining tour, it’s about time the boys put out this DVD.
Filmed throughout their Dead Throne headlining North America tour last year, the DVD features a variety of venues and shows, allowing the viewer to experience Prada in different atmospheres and on different stages. The camera work is superb, making each member of the band stand out on every cut.
While most of the concert focuses on Dead Throne cuts, one of my favorite things about live albums is how it’s the one time you can really tell how much bands have grown over the years when they play older cuts. Both “Hey John, What’s Your Name Again?” and “Dogs Can Grow Beards All Over” showcase how much better the musicians are now than when they recorded these songs on their first two records. The latter highlights Hranica’s growth as a screamer over the years – the early recorded version on Dear Love doesn’t even compare to his ability to master the song now.
The 10 minute behind-the-scenes, extra portion of the DVD allows fans to get a glimpse at how the shows were prepared and set up. The band opens up on how big the Dead Throne tour was for them – it was the first time they could truly put on the biggest show of their career, and they did just that. They explain how they wanted their shows to be themed after a stage performance to give it a richer atmosphere. They touch on how “epic” the stage felt to them – it was huge, hard to see, and surreal. They discuss how they wanted to hit cities that don’t get to experience their shows too often.
Ideally, Dead&Alive will fit in perfectly to The Devil Wears Prada collection, allowing the boys to finally allow fans to own their live shows and additional content. It’s something for the fans and to show how much the band has grown over the years. From their discussions of growing as a band in their material to the success of their lives shows, this DVD really does hit home with fans wrapping up the success of the band in recent years.
You forgot to mention that the "documentary" that you glowed about was not even 11 minutes in length. Concert footage isn't bad (although Jeremy far outshines Mike on this dvd imo) though, but could be found on youtube I'm sure and save yourself 17 bucks. I agree that they're much better live now than they were in the Plagues days, but I don't quite understand how this dvd earned an 8/10.
I'd say 6/10. Then again, I'm not really a "fan" of this band, or this style of music necessarily, but I loved Roots and Zombie.
You fail to mention that he barely sings in the songs. If you're a fan of Adam Lazarra in his "sing every 3rd word" phase then you will love this. So disappointing, especially in Danger: Wildman he either skips the words or literally speaks them.
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