Double Live Dynamo!

With the current resurgence of interest in the thrash metal of days past, enter the DVD "Exodus: Double Live Dynamo". While the title, and font used on the front cover recall Ted Nugent, this is somewhat puzzling because the Motor City Madman is nowhere to be found. The DVD is set up as two concerts: the first in 1985 at the Dynamo club, and the second from 1997 at the Dynamo open air festival, both in Eindhoven, Holland. This is identical in structure to Toxik's DVD "Dynamo open air 1988"

The first concert, the club date, is excellent. While not TOO dissimilar to what, in years past, would have passed as a bootleg, the mid-eighties camcorder footage, rather than decrease enjoyment, adds that dewy layer of nostalgia and charm. The crowd is going crazy (European fans tend to appreciate American metal bands visiting their countries), and the band performs a tight, energetic and highly entertaining set. Also of interest are the performance of two songs not released on any album, "Hell's Breath" and "Deathrow", making, by default, this DVD an essential purchase for completists due to that alone. Add to that some pre-show soundcheck footage and a great time is had by all.

Sadly, the second concert doesn't quite live up to the first. From 1997, a low year for metal generally speaking, I applaud Exodus for soldiering on and keeping the flame alive. But on that big stage there is no immediate connection to the audience like in the club gig. Plus its hard to tell if the fans are truly appreciating them or on an "ironic" level only. Additionally, the sound is a bit weird. We cannot hear Rick Hunolt's guitar at all. We see he is playing but we hear no sound. Maybe the live audience did, but the home audience cannot. Add to that his receding hairline and bad, super-baggy 90's pants, and the fact that he is wearing a big white T-shirt that appears to say "fuck negativity", and a pretty picture is not painted.

While we can hear Gary Holt's guitar loud and clear, unfortunately, the signature Exodus "crunch" is SO low and distorted it just sounds squelchy and burpy and farty and is hard to listen to at times. Plus his short, California-dude hair is more suited to pop-punk than pure Metal. Also, Baloff sprinkling the songs with many "F=bombs" and shouting them at the audience seems like a cynical and dare I say lazy way to get the crowd fired up. This approach is noticeably not taken in the 1985 concert. But I will give them the benefit of the doubt because it is said they had just returned to the stage with this lineup after just practicing with it. And it's not terrible, but in comparison with the previous concert, it's just somewhat sad to see how times have changed.

In conclusion, first concert = awesome. second concert = fans only. While I appreciate that the second concert is present and accounted for on this DVD, and it's perhaps not as bad as I made it sound, I am glad it was included on the DVD rather than not, because the more Exodus, in any form, the better. The total running time on the disc is over three hours, and that is very much appreciated, and I don't wish to sound ungrateful. But the passage of time between the shows and the differences between them are hard not to notice, and it makes for a vivid example of the adage "times change". However, great thrash, and great metal is timeless and I applaud Zaentz for releasing this. The percentage score is based on the total package, i.e. sound quality, menus, the fact that it was released at all, value for money, as well as the concerts themselves. But with the new interest in all things 80's and all things metal, I'm sure we can expect to see more DVD's like this in the future. Besides the fact that my wallet will take a beating, I say go forth and thrash!