Sydney based Dungeon are one of the longest serving acts on the Australian metal scene and despite enough line-up changes to rival Black Sabbath, the ever steadfast singer/guitarist Lord Tim has kept his project well and truly alive through some pretty turbulent times. Thankfully, the fortunes of Dungeon have changed and things just seem to be getting better.
In 2003 the band managed to secure some dates in Japan, a country in which they have had a large and loyal fanbase for over a decade. It is here, in the famous metal venue Club Citta in Kawasaki, Tokyo, that Under The Rising Sun was filmed and is presented on this DVD.
Dungeon`s music, a unique blend of power, thrash, neo-classical and traditional metal elements is the sort of music which is impossible not to enjoy live, and if there is one thing you can be guaranteed of with a Dungeon show (apart from Lord Tim`s very holy jeans), it is having a good time. This concert captures the Dungeon live feel perfectly, although on a much larger scale than Australian audiences would be used to. The crowd are really into the songs and the band seem to having a blast on stage. Dungeon classics `Paradise` and `I am Death` are played , while the show opens with the lengthier and tempo varying `Legend of Huma` and closes with the thrashy and frantic (and my favourite) ‘Traumatised’. It’s a great, solid Dungeon show from beginning to end, with no disappointments.
The DVD incluides the show and a 45 minute tour diary, which is basically the band, management and road crew fucking around in Japan. It`s amusing to watch, provides a fun look at the tour and the band members in general, and doesn`t overstay its welcome. The greatest feature of the DVD is that you can watch this on its own, the show on its own, or the two of them interspersed together. Nothing makes me madder than watching a live DVD in which the show is constatntly interrupted, so well done to whoever thought of that feature. My only gripe is the use of some digital visual effects during the concert, but it`s not a problem that detracts from the enjoyment of the show. Also included is a video of `Ressurrection` edited from the live footage and the full `The Other Side` clip.
This is really great stuff, and it’s fantastic to finally see an Aussie metal band get a DVD on the market.
Tracks:
01 Intro
02 Legend Of Huma
03 Resurrection
04 First Day in Tokyo
05 Paradise
06 Night Out in Tokyo
07 Insanitys Fall
08 Signing Session
09 Netherlife
10 Osaka Highlights
11 Lost In The Light
12 Osaka Streets
13 I Am death
14 Last Day
15 Traumatised
16 Final Comments
17 Bonus Metarial
Review by Liam Phillips
