Customer Reviews

Live in Los Angeles

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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
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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")

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.

I myst be in the minority on this CD, but I did not think it was anything special. I picked it up about 4 years ago when it came out, seeing Jack osbourne's comments on the cover thinking, hey, it's cheep and it might be good. Well, it's ok, but nothing to write home about. Yes, It's unique in the fact that a female, Mellisa Auf der Mauer does the vocals, which is cool, but I don't think its anything spectacular. I think the mastering makes it sound a bit rough, but otherwise, their unique vocals, and definitely are not Ozzy or anything close. The band sounds like it lacks something as well, I Think it may be the heaviness of the bass or the distortion on guitar is less, or maybe lighter strings, but it just didn't carry the heaviness that strikes me as sabbath, again, that could be the mastering as well. Prior reviewer's seem to give this group more credit in their tribute music than Toni Iommi for writing it, and the subsequent groups that Were labeled "black sabbath" after ozzy left. The live albums they put out with Dio and Tony Martin on vocals were as good as this and just a intense, but had the backing of Toni Iommi. I wouldn't go out of my way to purchace this CD, but the used price is nice here on Amazon, and it is a better tribute than many of the others. So if you collect tributes, this may be one for you.

The band sounds so much like original Sabbath it's scarey (the bulk of the material is from the Paranoid album); they've got the chops down to a tee. Just way too cool. Add the sexy scowl of Melissa Auf der Maur and you have a near masterpiece. Her vocals on top of this killer band can not be described by mere words. This is a must have for ANY Sabbath or metal fan.

I purchased this disc with no expectations and was pleasantly surprised by the actual performance. With the exception of "The Mob Rules", the show was brief but very well done. Auf der Maur and her band Hand of Doom performed several Sabbath classics without total desicration of the original material. After listening to many quote unquote "tribute" albums, this is not the best, but by far not the worst. Definately worth a listen.

OK, Melissa Auf der Maur is a dream to me. First off, I have been waiting for a solo album from her for QUITE a long time. This is her live recording of Black Sabbath songs. Yeah, I hate Sabbath, but I love Melissa singing this songs. They are great. It is said she channels Ozzy in these seven songs, but a lot of the time it seems more like PJ Harvey. Her voice is unlike what you would be used to hearing from her on say Hole's "Celebrity Skin". She has sort of lost the girlish quality. Even though this CD was made halfway as a joke, it is still very listenable. It is fun to hear an artist not taking themselves so seriously sometimes. Melissa is solely the provider of the vocals with exception of "Mob Rules" where Nick O from Queens of the Stone age takes over. Her band plays out note for note every second of the original Sabbath tunes. Any fan of Melissa should check this out. It is constantly in my CD changer.

I am not a huge fan of Black Sabbath by any stretch, but I am a huge fan of good metal done well. Melissa and company completely deliver, and I am impressed how these songs are made "fresh" after hearing the "tired" sounding original versions by Ozzy & co. I think that Melissa's performance alone makes this cd worth while, even though the band's performance is definately up to par. She keeps the Ozzy "schtik" up throughout, and it makes for an interesting listen. The set list granted is not very adventurous (I personally miss "Sweet Leaf" and "Sabbra Cadabbra"), but the only sub-standard moment is "The Mob Rules" towards the end, the one song where Melissa is nowhere to be found. Yes, I am a big fan of Melissa Auf Der Maur's work (Hole, live Smashing Pumpkins, and solo cd), this is absolutely no low point of hopefully a very long career! Cheers and "flash the metal" proudly while playing this cd loud!!!

This is harcore stuff. Awesome vocals and extreme guitar playing. This CD is better than Sabbath's original stuff! This band is for real!