Various Artists
The Unholy Alliance - Chapter II: Preaching To The Perverted (DVD)

July 2008
Released: 2007, Sony
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: Lord of the Wasteland

With the 2006 version of Ozzfest completely sucking and Gigantour skipping Vancouver altogether, it was the Slayer-driven Unholy Alliance Tour that got our fine city’s metalheads foaming at the mouth. As the show approached, it was reported that the Vancouver show would be recorded for a DVD release, which sweetened the deal even more. Slayer, Lamb of God, Mastodon, Children of Bodom and up-and-coming Canadian thrashers, Thine Eyes Bleed ensured it was sure to be a great night of metal.



The concert as presented on this DVD has been shrunk to just under ninety minutes. Lamb of God and Thine Eyes Bleed get one track each, Mastodon gets three, Children of Bodom two and an even ten for Slayer. Prior to each band’s segment, a short interview is conducted about the tour. The members of Thine Eyes Bleed seem genuinely happy to be on this bill (and they should be!), while Mastodon’s clip is riddled with idiocy and most bizarre, a catatonic Troy Sanders getting a haircut?! Children of Bodom’s pair convincingly portray the band’s live show—energetic, professional and full of precision musicianship. Mastodon, the best of the pack, is godly here. The rumbling rhythm section of Brann Dailor and Sanders is huge while the volcanic riffs of Brent Hines and Bill Kelliher are like a runaway locomotive. “Blood and Thunder” is so gut-punching heavy, it confirms its place as one of the best songs my any metal band in the last decade. It seems odd that Lamb of God, whose eleven song set is featured only with “Vigil” here, received such little screentime, especially since they were second on the bill behind Slayer. A shaven-headed Randy Blythe gets the crowd whipped up into a gigantic circle pit and leaves the first-time viewer definitely wanting more. Of course, Slayer needs little introduction. Their monolithic shows are legendary, their fans are unwaveringly devoted and the band can still kick ass live after almost a quarter-century. “Hell Awaits” and “Angel of Death” remain classics while newer cuts like “Cult” show just how unflinching this band is in its songwriting.



For Bonus Features, an unfortunate eight-minute segment entitled “Behind The Scenes – Parking Lot” amounts to little more than a bunch of morons yelling “SLAAAAAAAYERRRRRRRRR!” at the tops of their lungs while swearing and drinking outside the venue. There is also a ten-minute feature of additional interviews conducted with the bands prior to the show but there is nothing that can be classified as “must see,” by any means.



For the digital sticklers, the video presentation is a little on the dark side and the jump cuts are pretty quick, as well. What is most disappointing, though, is the absence of a 5.1 audio track. Given there is just under two hours of material, there is certainly room for a full-blown 5.1 Dolby Digital track without forcing a second disc, but given the price sits at around $15, THE UNHOLY ALLIANCE – CHAPTER II: PREACHING TO THE PERVERTED is a pretty solid investment. Perhaps my opinion of this particular show is a bit skewed given that I was actually there but there seems to be a lot missing and other stuff that should been omitted altogether is included.



***For anyone looking for an-depth review of the actual live show, my full review can be found here http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/content/view/611/66/.