For those fortunate enough to have witnessed Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock on stage for themselves during his recent Spirit on a Mission Tour which hit Liverpool’s O2 Academy last January, then this DVD release will just about sum up everything that was magical about it.
Filmed and recorded at Madrid’s Joy Eslava Theatre on November 19th 2015, the tight camera work directed by Bernhard Roessle and the cutting, crystallised clarity of the dts 5.1 stereo sound really brings home the intimacy, energy, enthusiasm and out-and-out power of the evening, whether you were present on the actual night or not.
Just take a look at some of the close ups during seminal Schenker hits such as Victim of Illusion and Lovedrive, then see just how close to the audience the former Scorpion gets whilst playing and understand just how much this man lives to play his Flying Vs and Flying M Twin Neck guitars before marvelling at his clarity and precision.
Of course it isn’t just Schenker who benefits from the DVD either, because former Rainbow lead Doogie White has rarely sounded so controlled, relaxed and yet energised during a gig, which is exemplified by the impromptu walkabout outside the theatre pre-show, which makes up part of the Bonus section on the DVD.
And whilst talking Bonuses, there is also included a snippet of the soundcheck, which not only demonstrates what a thoroughly nice chap Doogie is but also, when singing an almost Soul infused version of Doctor Doctor, proves beyond all doubt that the man can sing.
Filmed with the latest 4K technology cameras, multiple auditorium mics and an audience set to rip the room apart, Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock On A Mission: Live In Madrid, 2015 DVD is pretty much a must have addition to any rock film collection.
Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock
On A Mission: Live In Madrid, 2015
Format: Colour, Dolby, DVD-Video, Live, PAL
Language: English
Region: Region 2
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 – 1.33:1
Number of discs: 1
Classification: Exempt
Studio: Inakustik
DVD Release Date: 13 May 2016
Run Time: 120 minutes
PR Rating: **** Electric