Customer Reviews

Megadeth - Rude Awakening

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

How do I love this DVD? Let me count the ways:

-Dave. Any discussion of Megadeth's DVD should start with him.
In addition to his prodigious musical abilities, he also proves himself to be quite a stage presence. Sure, he doesn't say too much onstage, but he doesn't have to. His voice here is in fine form, as menacing as ever, and he and Al Pitrelli tear it up on guitar.

-The song selection is pretty damn good. Sure, there was no "Five Magics" or "Addicted to Chaos," but as the saying goes, you can't please all the people all the time. Every album gets represented except for "Risk," which I doubt most fans will miss anyway. Megadeth classics like "Reckoning Day," "Peace Sells," "Hangar 18," "Trust," and "Sweating Bullets" get treated here, and I severely doubt anyone will feel cheated.

-The performance of "In My Darkest Hour" is a tear-jerker. Even the guitar riffs are brooding and evocative, and Dave's tortured vocals and lyrics make the song one of the few in thrash-metal history that can accurately be described as moving. It sounds even better here than on CD, and is in my opinion definitely the highlight of the show.

-You get to see Jimmy Degrasso annihilate his drum kit. The drum solo at the end of "She-Wolf" is completely gratuitous, and man is it great.

-The sound quality is uniformly cystal clear. The guitar solos, especially, come out extraordinarily well.

-It's Megadeth, for crying out loud. I shouldn't have to tell why you should want to see such a comprehensive concert from one of metal's defining bands.

Containing what is footage from Megadeth's possible final tour, the Rude Awakening DVD is an absolute must own for any and every Megadeth fan. Featuring some of the most aamzing guitar work ever captured in a live video concert performance, Rude Awakening is a more than fitting swan song for one of the most legendary metal bands of all time. Seeing the band perform "Dread & The Fugitive Mind", "In My Darkest Hour", "Angry Again", "She Wolf", "A Tout Le Monde", "Mechanix", "Sweating Bullets", and "Peace Sells" on this DVD is almost as good as seeing the band in person; the audio and visual presentation is uncanny. While it would have been nice to see some other fan favorites like "Mary Jane", "Forclosure of a Dream", "Looking Down the Cross", "This Was My Life", "Countdown to Extinction", "Insomnia", "Diadems", and "Moto Psycho", this concert DVD is still phenominal.

Megadeth has easily endured the test of time and keep making brutal riffs and articulate lyrics in their music (pick up THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED). In this dvd, Megadeth was supporting their THE WORLD NEEDS A HERO album (which was ok, but had only one really good song, DREAD AND THE FUGITIVE MIND, which is what they open up with on this dvd). The whole band shreds it up big time on this album, as they welt out their classics one by one, kicking everyone's ass each time. Watching the dvd, you actually feel as you are there (I know it sounds cliche, but you really do). So if you're just a casual fan, or a die hard fanatic, I highly suggest that you pick this up.

I have waited a very long time to see Megadeth do a live release like this. I must say, it is quite impressive. The video is crystal clear and the audio is in 5.1 digital surround sound. I love the way they edited the crowd into the rear speakers, it works very nicely. Also, its got one of the nicer menus when compared to other music DVDs such as Metallica's releases. It is very easy to navigate, is in 5.1, and the visual interface is really neat. The concert itself sounds a lot different than the CD release of the same name. The 5.1 audio adds back in the crowd, something missing at times from the CD version. My only problem with the video is that it skips around too much. I'd prefer more close ups on the guitar playing, and possibly multiple angles, but that wasn't present. The interview in the bonus section is very nice, and shed light on some things that I've been curious about for some time now. Definately worth the purchase as a Megadeth fan just for the interview present in the DVD. The tracklisting on the back of the DVD is incorrect, however all tracks are present. Some of them are in the bonus section of the DVD. Sad to say, but "Prince Of Darkness" is absent from this release. The songs present are exactly the same as the CD.

If you are a hardcore Megadeth fan, then you probably already own this and I don't need to say anything more. But if you are a metal fan, you should look into getting this. It is among the best metal that I've ever heard. If you aren't really into metal, but are into intelligent lyrics in music, then this is something you might be interested in.

That is what hooked me into Megadeth is Dave Mustaine's ability to come up with intelligent lyrics to their songs. Some people just don't get the meaning in the songs because they do not give enough time to try and figure it out. But there is almost always a deep message to each and every song. For the lyrics, go to Megadeth's website. By now most people know that the band has broken up, so this is the last concert that they played. That adds to the significance of this release.

In the final words of Dave Mustaine in the concert: "You've been great! We've been Megadeth! Goodbye!"

Well, I opened up the case, put the disc in the dvd player, adjusted the stereo system all the way up and pressed play, What did I get? -An incredible concert thats definitely worth your money!, with an excellent sound, stunning picture and with one of the bands that doesn't let anyone down when it comes to live concerts. These guys played this concert with an incredible quality that will remind you of the TWNH tour. There are no hitches and you can actually listen to all of the instruments. Megadeth starts out with Dread and the Fugitive Mind, where they show all the power and intensity that we saw through the TWNH tour, then they skipped Kill the King to show it in a different aspect, which they called underground, this song is under a second menu, so you'll be led straight to In my Darkest Hour, which is played with an outstanding quality that goes on through the whole dvd! Well, the songs arent in the order theyre listed in the back of the case, they are broken down in 2 menus. The main list gives you 19 songs to choose from where you'll see Megadeth the same way you may have seen during the TWNH tour. The second menu contains 5 songs, which are in black and white, showing an "underground" sight of the same concert, which is really cool to see. The songs? -All of the hits are on this dvd, you have never seen such a cool live concert on dvd before! We can take a trip through all of the albums, with the coolest stuff from Killing is my Business to their newest stuff from TWNH. Plus this dvd features interviews with all the musicians, the guys here tell whats been happening through Megadeth's history. I am so sorry that Dave injured his arm and I hope he will recover soon and be back in the band. If you are a Megadeth fan and you went to see them live during their last tour like me, you must BUY this dvd, THERE IS NO WAY YOU WON'T LIKE IT!

Well, this was surely an awakening, but definitely wasn't a rude one. I've been longing for a live video of Megadeth performing ever since I got into them back in 92' when Countdown came out. And now, after so many years, I'm finally glad that I have a copy of probably their first and last ever live release.

The overall sound quality of the DVD is good, with an even balance of drums, bass, guitars, vocals etc. However, I felt that the kick drum was slightly too loud, along with the hi-hat which was probably placed too close to the mic. The rhythm guitars were also lacking on crunch which could otherwise help bring more power into the songs. The visual quality is good altho I did notice slight grainy images at times.

You can't really complain about the set list here as it features an astounding 24 songs. It was missing classics like Lucretia, Skin O' My Teeth, Anarchy in the UK, but the band did play at least 1 song out of each album. About 4-5 of it were edited and presented under a special 'concert' section and most of it was available in the main section. This was a good opportunity to introduce Al Pitrelli to former Megadeth fans like myself. I have to admit, I did jump straight to Hangar 18 just to see what Al could do. He didn't disappoint, as he played most of the 20 plus solos almost note for note and improvised on some of the faster licks. He looked really comfortable on the guitar, even when it was strapped really low. I can't wait to see what he and Marty are gonna put out next ..

On the performance side, I think the band forgot to have their Wheaties for breakfast. They really lacked any energy, and seemed to be really focused on what they're playing. They sure could use a few moshing lessons from the guys at Cannibal Corpse:).

On the overall, this is truly essential purchase for any Megadeth fans. I was really surprised and glad to have the chance to the band dishing out classics like Angry Again, Train of Consequence, A Tout le Monde etc.

Too bad Nick and Marty couldn't join in the fun ..

Well, as the title says, I must say its a long over due review of this DVD. I was there at this particular show in Phoenix, Arizona at the Web Theater, which by the way is sadly no longer a concert venue currently. I was just a young dude, when this show rocked my jeans off. This show was my second Megadeth show ever in which now I have lost track of how many Deth shows I've attended as of date, I even have tickets for a show four months from now! Dave, and Junior rock, and headbanging as always. I highly recommend this DVD, it showcases many great songs, Dave's voice is perfect, guitars and bass are beefy, drums are kickin'.

GET IT, TURN UP YOUR SURROUND SOUND, AND PLAY IT LOUD!
Recommended!

Being a Megadeth fan, I had to give this DVD a try. And I was not disappointed, the majority, if not all, of Megadeth's best are here.The song selection is excellent. From beginning to end. I was not familiar with newer songs such as the great opener " Dread and the fugitive mind" and "Kill the king" "1000 times goodbye" But just like the rest of the songs, they fit right in, to the point that they are becoming some of my favorites. Perfect ending with "holy Words" the energy displayed during the whole concert is amazing.

If you are concerned about the line up, there is nothing to worry about. This band is full of great musicians. Jimmy Degrasso on drums does not skip a beat, sounds as good as the ex-Nick Menza. What can I say about Al Pitrelli, you have to see it to appreciate how good this guy is. ( Currently the musical director and first guitar of Trans-Siberian orchestra)

Sound and video are decent, I have seen better, but is good none the less, some, if not all of the songs sound better than the studio version of them.

There are 24 tracks, the previous reviewer said that there are missing tracks. Not true, all of them are here.

5 of the songs listed ( kill the king, angry again, almost honest, train of consequences and a tout le monde) are on the special features,called underground concert, back to back in black and white. it's from the same concert as the rest of the songs, yet they are on black and white. A stupid thing to do in my opinion.

I wish they have left those songs alone with the rest of the concert, the way they are listed. That is why I am not giving this DVD 5 stars.


So, if you are a Megadeth's fan, you will not be disappointed. This DVD is worth the "ticket".

I purchased the Rude Awakening CD 2 years ago when it was first released and being such a fan of Megadeth and heavy metal in general, I really wanted the DVD to see them actually playing these amazing songs. The camera work is good and the sound quality is great. You may have noticed that 5 songs from the CD aren't mentioned on the DVD song list, however they are located under "special features". Why, I have no idea. The interview segment with the band is very insightful and interesting as well are the other special features. Overall, I am definately glad I bought this DVD.

Certainly it wasn't the best oportunity to release a DVD, tough the band is good, i thinh that the best incarnation of it includes Marty Friedman and Nick Menza. And the best material available is the one until the Countdown... album, and certain Crypting...pieces.
But regardless of that, and of the fact that the bonus tracks doesn't exist. And that this "bonus" underground section damages the dvd more than improve it (black and white and blurry takes it's not what you expect from a good DVD). The material is excellent.
De Grasso and Pitrelli are very good musicians, and look very tight in the band. But i find that most of the time it seems that Dave is a little unpassionate about the show, and certainly he lost a lot of his vocal qualities (Train of Consequences is a mess).
Instead the audio mix is awesome, one of the best in the market, and the direction is pretty dinamic and accurate too. The set will entertain you in it's entirety, and for me it's kind of refreshing to revisit those five "bonus songs" after watching the main set.
The other bonus sections, like the one from Paul Gargano it's just and ode to the band that adds nothing new. But on the other side the Megadeth on Megadeth documental is one of the more straight to the point one's. You can surely watch or read better interviews, but this one surely will keep your attention.
Definitely it's a must have for good fashioned music fans, with pretty correct versions of such classics as Wake Up Dead, Hangar 18 and Trust as highlights, in my opinion.
Since the DVD and The album brings the same music, buy The DVD and experience the whole concept of a band that helped to trademark the metal forever, and in a terrific quality format.