Customer Reviews

Hour of Despair

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you love doom metal as much as I do, this is a must-have! The audio/video production is excellent and the bonus footage from '87 & '92 make it well worth the price. While I agree that some members of Solitude could be a bit more lively on stage, this isn't a pop band - it's a DOOM band, people! John Perez's enthusiasm more than makes up for it, and trust me, the audience was there to see them... the club is packed and everyone is intensely watching, but they're from a repressed country, Poland, and respond differently than Americans or those crazy Greek audiences. ;-) This is a collector's item and the only way most people will ever get to see the Texas doom legends live, so buy it!

Solitude has been one of my all-time favorites for many years. This band is one of the truest to the metal underground. Anyone who whines about their live stage show simply does not appreciate what Solitude Aeturnus has already achieved for this style of music. While many other bands sell out to the masses and do their little onstage dance routines to please the kiddies, Solitude Aeturnus has always recorded the best quality doom metal, never rushing anything to please anyone but the metal godz. I have absolutely no complaint about this amazing DVD. I only wish it lasted an eternity. I didn't even notice a lack of "movement" in the band members until I read some of these idiotic reviews. Solitude Aeturnus: "you guys are among the true champions of pure art and shall live forever in metal history. Thank you for your dedication to this underappreciated art form. Doom on, my metal brothers!!!

This is a good show with a lot of good songs... including old favorites. Sure they don't move a lot... but hey! It's DOOM... not Thrash Metal. I have DVDs from Therion, Nightwish, Gamma Ray, Candlemass, Helloween, and Iron Maiden... and it's still nice to have some more doom for a change.

i love this band ,but this dvd might be a mistake for these guys.they barely move onstage & dont put on much of a show.plus the slows songs are all together then the faster ones are together so it makes the setlist not flow very well...

I felt really bad for John Perez and Rob Lowe as I watched this. While they are clearly enjoying and getting into the show and playing/singing their hearts out (though I can do without Rob's goofy "trance dance"--you'll see what I mean), the bass player (James Martin, whose cheesy skull shirt looks as appropriate on him as spikes and leather would on Dick Clark) and the other guitarist (Steve Moseley) are clearly waiting for the show to be over so they can get their paychecks. Even John's headbanging and enthusiasm can't make up for their lackluster stage presence. No, not lackluster...NON-EXISTENT! You could put a couple phone booths on the stage in their place and it would be more exciting to watch. Yes, it's THAT bad. We're not asking them to include a dance routine for chrissake, only to at least look INTERESTED in putting on a good show. These new guys are an insult to the band and the fans and need to show some love for the music or be shown the exit. A total embarrassment.
Another thing that bothered me is how John does all of the song introductions. That's the singer's job. Back off.
If not for the great interview with Rob and John, and an actually WATCHABLE, not cringe-worthy performance from 1992 this would be a complete distaster. Rob was smart to look towards a future with Candlemass if this is the way things will be....
I rate it 2.5 stars, but will choose 3 here just cuz it's the band that made "Into the Depths of Sorrow". Anyone who rates it higher is either in the band's entourage or related to a member and is only doing the salesman bit, especially if from Texas, and shouldn't be believed. It's a shame their "Days of Doom" video from way back couldn't have been added on here. Now THAT was a good video...

If you call yourself a DOOM fan and don't own this,then I shall pray for you.

I'm not too familiar with Solitude Aeturnus music, but i am a fan of dark gloomy heavy stuff. I had heard a few songs from this band, and thought they sounded good.
The DVD has excellent sound, the music isn't too bad, but i feel like i'm watching Spinal Tap while this thing is on. It's almost comical the way these guys who are at least in their mid to late forty's snarl and do the devil sign while acting crazy. It way too silly for me.
I should have kept just listening to the band, and never watched it.
Save your money, and buy an audio CD. I should have.
Candlemass they'll never be.
They also chose a venue in Poland where it seems more than three quarters of the 200 people there, are waiting for another act to come on and they could care less for Solitude.
Keep putting out good music Solitude Aeturnus, just don't make anymore videos. You look just plain silly.