Live in Los Angeles [Live]

Hand of Doom | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 3, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Idaho Music
• ASIN: B00006FSUI
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,053 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good performances, but too much of a carbon copy., April 30, 2004

By 

D. Mok (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Live in Los Angeles (Audio CD)

The recording is good, the instrumental players are skilled, and Melissa Auf der Maur's vocal performance contains enough attitude to compensate for its shaky pitch and lack of range.

So what's the problem? Like so many others (even the ever-inventive Faith No More) who have covered Black Sabbath songs, Hand of Doom has stayed entirely too true to the original arrangements and sounds. Black Sabbath is the kind of band that holds a mystical power over its acolytes and it's not surprising that musicians who love the band have a preconceived notion of how these songs should sound. But the tracks on Hand of Doom, though I enjoyed them, sound so close to the originals that I wondered why I didn't just put on the original band. Auf der Maur's female vocals make them minutely different, but I definitely wish Hand of Doom would have been more inventive and done different things with these iconic songs.

And another thing: Do we need to hear yet more renditions of "War Pigs", "Iron Man" and "Paranoid", three of the most legendary (and therefore most tired) songs in the metal canon? The track selection on this EP shows a lack of adventurousness, something Black Sabbath never lost sight of. I would have loved to hear less obvious cover choices such as "Megalomania", "Killing Yourself to Live", "Am I Going Insane (Radio)", "Supernaut", "Zero the Hero", "Trashed", "The Wizard", and "Cornucopia". Instead, we get the three staples from the Paranoid album, songs I wouldn't mind never hearing covered ever again.

Hand of Doom is not bad as music; it's just at a loss for something to say. Hearing a completely faithful cover band may be enjoyable as a live experience, but a record demands more. Why perform and record songs in exactly the same way as they've been done, and done quite well, 30 years ago? I'd definitely recommend Melissa Auf der Maur's idiosyncratic solo record in lieu of Hand of Doom.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars MELISSA IS GREAT, BUT TRYS TO HARD ON THIS CD, July 16, 2008

By 

PhotoGirl "PhotoGirl" (Waste Lands of Kansas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Live in Los Angeles (Audio CD)

AS much as I like Melissa Auf der Maur and her own solo album, and I love Black Sabbath - (my first and strongest heavy rock influence) Melissa can sing!, but her jovial verbage and sytle of singing on this is 'just OK'. Not great, but Ok. I like the music, but she could have relaxed(?) and been more controlled and this would have been an Outstanding album.
It is almost like she had a one too many beers? or whatever. But a Chance to do a whole set of Black Sabbath songs! what an opportunity!
I still say it is worth every penny to get this if you are a Black Sabbath fan. You might not play it all the time but it deserves a few back to back plays. I am also a HOLE fan so for me this was a great concept cd to have; but I feel a little too picky about Melissa's vocal performances here. for that I am sorry to offend. She is still a great artist. I am extremely glad they did this CD for mass market!

NEW ADDITIONAL DETAILS (thanks for bring this omission to my attention)

Sorry; I did not know it was my job to list product details...
BUT here it is:(SET LIST...and other details from CD cover/insert)

"HAND OF DOOM": Live in Los Angeles. Black Sabbath Tribute.

1- IRON INTRO
2- HAND OF DOOM
3- FAIRIES WEAR BOOTS
4- WAR PIGS
5- PARANOID
6- THE MOB RULES
7- CHANGES
8- BLACK SABBATH
------------------
2002 ([...])
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Produced by:
Jeff Martin & Melissa Auf der Maur

HAND OF DOOM is:
Molly R. Stern (bass)
Pedro Yanowitz (drums)
Guy Stevens (guitar)
Joey Garfield (gongs and turntable)
Melissa Auf der Maur ("as Ozzy")

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Nothing to write home about, December 9, 2008

By 

RedZero "Zero The Hero" (Corpus Christi, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live in Los Angeles (Audio CD)

I bought this CD because I own everything Sabbath CD and tributes. Paid retail. The singing is terrible, she has some voice inflections that dont fit the music, similar to talking funny instead of singing. The music itself is ok. Song selection is poor, the same old iconic nuggets (good songs but nothing surprising or thinking outside the box) Would have love to hear some different stuff like Zero The Hero. You'll probably be surprised by my recomendation to buy it. Buy it used, and only if you are a completist Sabbath fan. Otherwise, give it a pass. Don't fall for the cover shot "sex sells" gimmick.