DVD REVIEW: LED ZEPPELIN - CELEBRATION DAY

'Celebration Day' heralds the unique, creative chemistry and craftsmanship which first immortalised Led Zeppelin with 1975's classic 'The Song Remains The Same'. With Jason Bonham eloquently and capably filling his father’s footsteps (demonstrating an ‘encyclopaedic knowledge’ of the essence of Zep rhythms), John Paul Jones on keyboards and bass and Jimmy Page and Robert Plant in the driving seat, the stage is set for a memorable DVD event for the millions who were unfortunate enough not to be present for the sold out London gig in 2007. This 16 track exultation of well loved tracks and gig footage (from 'rousing' opener 'Good Times Bad Times' to an epic rendition of 'Kashmir') enables rock's premier band to stand up and be counted ‘to a fresh young audience’ as suggested by guitarman Jimmy Page. The old magic is still strong!

Amanda Gentle

ROCK iKON Magazine

DVD REVIEW: IRON MAIDEN - EN VIVO

There’s something about Latin American metal audiences that makes for great live vids. For ‘En Vivo!’, Maiden had two shows on their 'The Final Frontier World Tour' filmed (Buenos Aires and Santiago) but the Chilean capital won out in the final cut. Cue massive stadium filled to the gunnels with an energized crowd and Maiden on full throttle! The whole spectacle was captured in HD by what must have been an army of cameramen, and edited to perfection. To convey the energy and excitement of what was a great gig, the movie constantly switches between full-screen/split screen shots of the band in full flow, intercut with crowd shots - a difficult job brilliantly done. Highlights are too many to mention, but the 'Behind The Beast' feature gives a fascinating insight into the mechanics of running a metal monster as big as Iron Maiden!

Colin Liddell

ROCK iKON Magazine

DVD REVIEW: BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION - LIVE OVER EUROPE

Black Country Communion have carved a reputable niche for themselves as real rock royalty. Filmed in HD over three nights to packed-out venues in the German cities of Hamburg, Munich and Berlin in the Summer of 2011, 'Live Over Europe' is a credible in-concert DVD package. The dramatic industrial title sequence sets the scene for the 18 Kevin Shirley sonically sharpened songs on offer. From the charismatic Glenn Hughes led assault of ‘Black Country’, the epically driven 'Save Me', to the mind-melting 'Cold' and a blood bursting cover of Deep Purple's 'Burn', this is a debut live showcase of simmering proportions. Add to this 'explosive' performances of Joe Bonamassa standards 'Song Of Yesterday', ‘The Ballad Of John Henry’ (plus a neat 'making of' documentary) and you have an enduring time capsule to the power of 'pure' classic rock!

Mark Crampton

ROCK iKON Magazine