Under the Rising Sun

In May, 2003, Dungeon embarked on a whirlwind tour of Japan where they were featured as part of a package with acts like Dragonland from Sweden. The trip was understandably a big deal for the band and its management and 'Under the Rising Sun' is the DVD testimonial to the tour. To date, not too many other Australian metal bands have attempted a full-blown DVD release, so this is a reasonable achievement in itself, but the results are not really that spectacular. With all due respect to the minimalist budget available to the band to make this, the production standard is actually pretty average. The concert footage looks like it was recorded on video during the 1980s, highlighting the limitations of whatever equipment was used to shoot it. Nevertheless, it does capture the dynamics, energy and enthusiasm of a Dungeon live show. While the picture isn’t the best, soundwise this is great, even if, on my crappy TV at least, I wasn’t able to hear much of Stu’s playing on the live tracks. The set list is a strong one also, including all of the live favourites from that period and it’s clear that Dungeon pulled out even more stops than usual for the occasion as it is quite a strong performance, even for a band with a reputation as strong performers. The snippets of the band’s adventures in Japan are rather fun also, especially the segment featuring Stu discovering some good food in Osaka and remarking to the chef, “Yeah, it tastes really good, man!” On the downside, I found the ‘commentary’ pieces somewhat superfluous. If they were needed at all, it could have worked better as a series of voice-overs on top of tour snapshots or some kind of collage instead of grainy-looking footage from a rehearsal studio. The packaging is a little uninspiring also and the chapter list inside the cover has “Insanity’s Fall” transposed with “Netherlife” which is a bit confusing. Bonuses however are clips for “Resurrection” and “The Other Side” and, for a limited period, the soundtrack CD is also included. For all its good points, however, and for what it is it’s a long way from terrible, 'Under the Rising Sun' is ultimately only something that the truly dedicated Dungeon fan or serious collector would own, but if that’s you, by all means check it out.