Customer Reviews

Live from the Dark

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I went out of my way to get this DVD on import despite what everyone had said about the quality of the concert footage. While I found it to be rather different in the way it was filmed, I don't find it to be so incredibly horrible as to merit what the other reviewers here have said about it. I would hate to see the harsh opinions of a few people deter diehard fans and new fans alike from buying this release.

The concert is filmed, not videotaped, and the effects bring to mind the Led Zeppelin concert movie "The Song Remains The Same" for me; perhaps people not familiar with that concert movie won't get that or relate. I do not feel it takes away from the concert performance at all and upon repeated viewings I am still enjoying the concert very much.

The second DVD of extras is what makes it though. The behind the scenes footage of the band's preparations for the show, and the very in-depth "Taxi Diaries" interview segments give some insight to the bond between the members of this band that has helped to make its return so successful. I recommend watching the DVD of extras before watching the concert; it helps to get a better perspective on all that went into the finished product.

Final word: Do not let the negative reviews above deter you from buying this DVD, especially if you are a diehard fan.

I agree with the other reviewer regarding the video quality on this DVD. It is irrefutably one of the worst video qualities I have ever seen. I believe this is because the concert was shot in poor lighting. Aside from this, Europe's performance was brilliant, outstanding, powerful and flawless. Audio quality is much better if not flawless. Joe Tempest's vocals was awesome, he is a great vocalist, but by far the best performance was offered by a true guitar hero John Norum. Keep an eye on Norum's unbelievable solo on Superstitious. I like the old songs better than the new ones even though the new ones are solid as well. There is really not much more to say except the fact that Europe is back and the band is here to stay, no doubt about that! In my view, Europe is one of the best rock bands in the world, certainly without a doubt the best band ever to have come out of Sweden. I would have given this DVD five stars easily had it not been for the poor video quality. But for a true Europe fan this does not make any difference, it is a must have. BUY!

I love this DVD, it's not just a concert but a backstage tour and has interviews/band information as well. For a 'Europe' starved Kiwi fan from New Zealand, this is a great package. A few reviews have bleated about the film quality but I have no problem with this, a live concert should be 'real' - the 'dark' stage suits Europe's updated image, far removed from the 80s flash and hair. Europe are a great live band, Joey's voice is brilliant and the rest of the band are fantastic. This DVD shows you a bit of who Europe actually are behind the music, and they seem to have a sense of humour about it all, in fact, they look like they are having a blast on stage (hell, wouldn't you if you were over 40 and still getting to do what they do? and looking good while doing it!). The playlist is great too, a good mix of new and old songs, plus 'The Final Countdown' which they wouldn't be allowed to leave out. Some reviewers have bleated about the choice of songs but with so many albums to choose from you have to cut a few. Thanks Europe for a great DVD, with heaps of extras which leave you feeling like you've had good value for money. You rock and I hope you rock for years to come (or at least until I make it to a concert).

EUREKA!!! This is, without a doubt, one of the best pieces of hard rock/heavy metal albums EVER! I mean you have EUROPE reunited! How cool is that!?! This DVD set is loaded with extras and every second of it is just brilliant! 4 hours total of some of my heroes is a good way to spend a friday night and I don't care what you think.

The concert itself is excellent.

NOTE: This is my review that reflect my opinion on the matter and if you don't like it, that is you problem.

I have to point out that I am not a die-hard fan of some of their latest work, as I am of their past work. Don't get me wrong, in today's scene of cultural insigificance in music, they are one of the rare that are going against the grain and even though their sound has changed, their music still has that fine line and they still don't have a bad song in their career. Even Ninja is good! (Yes, Joey, even Ninja is good!). Well, to get back to the DVD.

The look of the cover and the concert itself is brilliant. The lightshow on the concert is also great. Joey has his alpine white mike-stand whick is probably the coolest concert prop that anyone ever had. alpine white just works with Europe. Maybe because their career is flawless. Anyway Joey is jumping all around,headbanging, bursting with energy, good contact with the crowd and his vocal is on the level. Ian is just great and hillarious. Mic has this cool strong and silent type look with his keyboards and blue lights, and that look on the stage is up there with Kevin Moore and Jordan Rudess. Norum is a God, always will be. I would just like that he did something to about his hair, because i can't see his face. I would put a spotlight, a fan and a camera right between his monitors, so that he really shines. Leven played with Malmsteen. If you did that you're an istant legend and there is no need to comment your talent and performance.

Setlist:

It starts with Got to have faith. Not that good of a song if you ask me, even though it is biographical with the whole Europe comeback. But it is a good concert opener, plus it's the opening track of the latest album.

Ready or not. I like this version of the song. On this one Joey also whips out his alpine white Les Paul. Always good to hear a hit.

Superstitious. Always good to hear a hit. Brilliant.

America. One of the hits from the latest album. I can personally relate to it on a different level because I'm European and I just came to America a couple of months ago.

Wings of tommorow. Joey is great on this one. Give us more NORUM!

Ian is good here as well.

Let the good times roll. I don't like it, but it works.

Seven Doors Hotel. Yep, just as good as the day it came out.

Hero is just a hartbreaker. And the vidio deserves a standing ovation. This song just captures everything that is good about music. Joey also plays on this one.

Wake up call. This is a good song. Reminds me of new Dokken and Qoueensryche. Has a new modern sound, but I like it. Norum ROCKS!

Sign of the times. See this one of those songs that it's worth to stay alive for so you can be alive when the band reunites and sings it again. And after you heard it you can die happy.

Milano is great. This is just liek aphasia. Words are not needed here.

Girl form Lebanon. Standing ovation. Good lightshow.

Carrie. All dark. Joey pulls up an acoustic and starts singing. Does the audience knows the lyrics? What do you think?

This is the best way to do these types of song, because it's just more honest.

Flames. A really good concert song. Good lightshow, pyro and performance. This one is just brilliant. I like the bass here.

Yesterday news. I could live without this one, but anyway.

Rock the night. Beautiful. Always good to hear a hit.

Start from the dark. Hey, the chorus alone is so powerfull that it takes you to another level. YOu feel naturally high.

Cherokee. Always good to hear a hit.

The final countdown. 'Nuff said, or maybe not.

Everybody that hears it always focuses on the keyboards, and it draws the attention away from Norum. I always thought that the solo was excellent. It just works with the song.

Another thing is the song meaning. Hell, it's not clear. Over the zears, talking to people and brwsing the internet there are 3 meanings.

No1 is that it's about the band and touring. Like Europe is performing all around and the crowd is always there, so the final countdown is Europe's life and they are living it to the max.

No2 is that it's about a plane accident which is kinda wierd.

No3 is that it's a love song and you should take that life and work with it, because you only have one chance at life.

If anbody from the band is reading this it would be nice if they shared the meaning.

This is a proof that the setlist is really good. Some songs are missing. Well, maybe some of them are not suitable for the setlist, but I feel that they should be there. Children of this time is one of them. I kinda feel that it's their duty to put in their setlist and put it out in the 21st century, because moral values are shattered more then ever before. Dreamer is also one of the song that is missing. I mean it's just great, and also, up to now I've found that every song that has the motif of a river or a riverside in it is just brilliant. In the future to come is also missing.

Ian would have a lot of fun playing it and I would just like to hear the solo thru that Les Paul that Norum plays. More than meets the eye is also missing. I just want to hear the lyrics.

Open your heart is also missing.

I'm kinda sad that Marcelo didn't make an appearance. That would be even better, although things can't get a lot better than this. This one is just a MUST HAVE. Just the extras are worth springing 20 bucks. I mean you can check everyone's gear. How cool is that? THere are also taxi diaries. I think that Ian has captured some of the things in his diary that are really true and private so a clap, clap for Ian.

PS the blond girl in the crowd is cool.

This is easily one of the best live performances I have ever seen in my whole life. Vocals, guitar work, sound quality overall...everything is amazing. The old songs come alive so much, they sound so much more powerful and raunchy now, it is unbelievable. The new songs also sound fantastic Live. The interaction of the band with the crowd is truly incredible as well. The one complaint I have with this DVD is the same thing others seem to have an issue with too - the video quality. It is grainy and sometimes not sharp enough, probably because of the bad lighting during the show. However, to be completely honest with you, this actually did NOT ruin the show for me. It is just too good. The extras such as soundcheck tracks and interviews are awesome as well, great additions to the package. Anyone who likes this band absolutely MUST own this.

Dice

This time these great guys return with a more guitar oriented work. John Norum's riffs better than ever. Great they are back !!!
This is a must have if you like the taste of the serious british/european heavy metal style and also like the riffs of the middle 90's to 00's guitar sound.

JL

I was expecting this to be just an average europe conecert, as the one from the 80's had lacked something for me. Boy was I wrong! I had not heard europe's newer songs that were performed in this show, and must say I was impressed by them... This show had very little pyro or effects and is still VERY GOOD...to me that says something about the talent of the band... The set list order is absolutley perfect, having the newer songs mostly first, and the final countdown songs at the end for a rousing finish...Only disappointment is they did not play the songs "open your heart" or "heart of stone" But the strengths of the show for me was 1st and foremost Joey's stage presence was perfect, the setlist as a whole, and J. Norums detuned heavy guitar and his solo because it was not mindless shredding. But a more emotional thought out and intelligent solo... As I said most every song is a high point cause they are all the best one's...The only other shows that come to mind that are as good as this are... Whitesnake live in the still of the night.. (same theater as this one I think) And the older fleetwood mac the dance...Hope this review urges you to get this one!

While I thought Kee Marcello was an awesome replacement for John Norum, I'm very glad to see John's return to the band. They are better than ever. A little older, wiser & heavier but rocking as always.

Hi, i must say, this is the Best DVD from Europe! I'll been folowing this Band since on my Secondary years!

The Sound's quality really fantastic but i must Confess the Picture not up to par! especially on the Disc 1(Concert) there's a Blurry or some Layer that cover the whole show!

I had no idea why the Pic quality on Disc 1 seems different from Disc 2!

Lastly, i did enjoyed the whole show even though of the So so Pic quality.

This early-80's swedish band does not pick up precisely where they left more than a decade ago. With their latest release -Start from the Dark- Europe comes as a breath of fresh air amid today's music industry stench, but this particular breeze turns into a gust of hot air as Europe is caught on film performing in their red/medium-rare renovated spirit.

The exuberant make-up,flamboyant colours,stylistic excesses and adulterated riffs are put aside to present a dark and relentless determination to rock, even when the band performs their own old tunes.

The absence of bright colours and clean-cut image of the film is of primary importance to understand and grasp the new nature or presentation of the band. It is not a coincidence, or lack of video production.- Now it is not enough to chew the music and image but the viewer/listener now is obligated to digest it- and this spirit of renewal is what has marked a most well-received return of this band to the scene-.

The band's melodic songs exploits in contrast with the sober image caught on film: The music is intense and crisp,the performances are tight,the song selection is good,the audience is great and the Apollo Hammmersmith theatre provides a warm and intimate atmosphere for the gig and last but not least, there is a bunch of extra material and documentary film.

"Live from the Dark" will primarly be of interest to Europe's established fans and is a great introduction for viewers/ listeners who are curious to Europe's work, but it requires discretion on part of other people who like to watch elaborated productions.

This DVD,without a doubt, delivers the peak-performance in Europe's career and that for itself is worth the admission price.