Madness In Manila: Shadows Fall Live In The Philippines 2009

I first saw Shadows Fall at 9:30 in the morning as the second act of the day at the second stage at Ozzfest 2003. It was the perfect time for me, since I worked overnights then - 9:30 a.m. was the equivalent of a 7:00 p.m. show for most folks. It was an exciting time for me, since I had more or less written off the nu-metal crap of the 90's and was just starting to become aware of the great renaissance underway of heavy music that blossomed throughout the next decade and continues, I believe, to this day.Over the last seven and a half years, I've probably seen Shadows Fall at least a dozen and a half times. My usual routine at a Shads show is to get as close as I can to the front, stage right, and plant myself in front of the great Jonathan Donais, to spend the entire performance mesmerized by his playing. I think only Paul Waggoner rivals Donais for the most complete heavy metal lead guitarist, not just of this time, but that I've ever seen and listened to live.So, when I learned the great Shadows Fall was releasing a live DVD, "Madness in Manila - Live In The Phillipines," I was beyond excited. I pre-ordered it and waited by my mailbox for it arrive. Here was my chance to indulge my Donais-mania in the comfort of my own home. In that, I would turn out to be disappointed, although, on a larger level, this DVD has to be considered a success and a must-own for anyone as obsessed by these guys as I've been since 9:30 a.m. that summer day in 2003 in Marysville, California."Madness in Manila" opens with a bang, no intro, no titles, just right into the music. It's a great set list covering pretty much the band's entire career starting with The Light that Blinds" and transitioning into "Forevermore" and "Failure of the Devout," before indulging the real long-time fans with a brilliant rendition of "Crushing Belial" off the "Of One Blood" release. "Burning the Lives" follows, leading into what I've always considered one of the strongest songs on the band's newest record: "A Public Execution".For those of you who primarily know and love Shadows Fall for "The Art of Balance" and "The War Within", the middle section of the set is almost a medley of your favorites, including "Casting Shade", the great drinking song "Destroyer Of Senses", an inspiring performance of "What Drives The Weak", the underrated "The Power of I and I", and "Enlightened By The Cold." Brian Fair once told me "Thoughts Without Words" was about meditation, something he found funny, since it was one of the heaviest songs on "Art of Balance". It doesn't disappoint here.Fair dedicates another strong song off "Retribution" to the great Bob Marley and makes very clear that the song "War" is a call for racial harmony and tolerance, probably as important of a message to his audience in the Philippines as it is to us here in the good `ole U.S. of A. The title track of "Redemption" closes out the concert on a great note, reminding us that we do find "redemption in the power of the sound." Shadows Fall always sends me away with a hopeful smile.I have nothing but praise for the effort and performance the five guys in Shadows Fall put out at this show. They have never disappointed me yet, although listening to these familiar songs did make me realize how far my tastes have traveled in the last seven or eight years. In 2003, I thought these guys were very heavy. Listening to them now, they seem almost mainstream compared to the technical death metal most often in my ears these days.But if there's a downside to this DVD, it's in the movie making. The director and the editor took this as just another rock and roll show to put on film. They don't seem to know the music well enough to be ready for the key moments in some of these songs. When Matt Bechand sings "Only the cinders remain, as another night becomes a yesterday" on "What Drives the Weak", we never see him except from behind. Same thing with the Donais solos. It's not until the fifth or sixth song that the handheld camera gets in place in front of the lead guitarist to be able to see what he's doing on the fretboard at all - even then, the editor cuts away to some other shot before the solo is over. On one occasion, we're looking at Bechand and bassist Paul Romanko play in the middle of a Donais solo. What the hell? This is not Britney Spears or a rap show. Metalheads want to see the music being made and this film crew steals that away from us.Even with all of that, I am very glad I now own this DVD. It's nice to have the power of the Shads available to me in my home anytime I need an energy boost. I give the musicians five stars, and the filmmakers a generous three stars, so let's split the difference and give "Madness in Manila" four shimmering Shadows Fall stars.

Madness In Manilla is a live DVD/CD combo released in 2010 by the Massachusetts based American Metalcore band Shadows Fall, which was recorded live at Summerslam Festival in the Philippines back in 2009. The performance features a career spanning sixteen-track setlist that is balanced and which covers all the band's most well known material as well as a few less expected numbers for variety.This DVD is a proper full-length concert video of a single concert, as opposed to how either their previous DVD, The Art Of Touring or for example Down's Diary Of A Mad Band were set out. Luckily for most concert fans, the set isn't interspersed with home video footage or animations either, just the live performance from beginning to end.The band play on a large outdoor festival stage along to an incredibly detailed light show, with all sorts of rotating, panning and altering lights, spots and colour changes, as well as lots of dry ice.The camerawork features lots of movement, with all sorts of cranes and dollys employed along with the usual camera crew, the whole operation is a lot more complex and professional than any of the band's previously available live videos from bonus discs and such things.You get a lot of coverage of the instruments being played which is always a plus for viewers who are musicians and a good cover of the band's famously proficient drummer Jason Bitner. What you also get to see a lot of is singer Brian Fair windmilling his knee-length dreadlocks, which is an interesting sight all things considered.Whilst there are a lot of positives to be said about the visuals, there are some issues in the shot matching, occasional framing problems and the dry ice can effect the picture quality, it switches from incredibly high resolution shots on cranes and not so great images on handhelds. Furthermore the menus are cheap looking and basic so it isn't as absolutely perfect as some bigger band's festival DVDs or equally sized band's indoor concert DVDs, but is still a strong release overall.Standout tracks include the furious performance of early classic `Crushing Belial,' which is opened with an enthusiastic yet expletive description of its epic status by Brian, which gives you a good idea of the energy and attitude that then goes into the ensuing performance. Other highlights include the Grammy nominated set closer `Redemption' as well as the newer track `War' which hammers away at a relentless pace.Additionally; there are bonus features, which include four more live videos for `The Light That Blind,' `Redemption,' `Venous' and `Thoughts Without Words,' from Japan, The Philippines and Korea respectively, although the quality obviously isn't as high as the main feature.The sound and mix are great, so judging the product overall; the only real problems with the DVD apart from the previous mentioned visuals are subjective problems with Shadows Fall in general. If for example, you think their material is samey then sixteen tracks in a row may be a bit much for you, and similarly if you are used to their super-polished studio sound, then the live backing vocals or clean sections may well sound odd or strangely out of place.Otherwise however, Madness In Manilla is a very good release from Shadows Fall that I would definitely recommend to fans. Due to its high sound quality and expansive setlist, it would make a fine introduction to the band for newcomers as well.

Amazing show, a must to have in your Shadows Fall collection.

I Have Seen This band live twice Now and both times they were awesome. getting a cd where they are playing live and has a dvd with the actual concert brings back the memories of the concert which was one of the best concerts i have been to. if you like shadows fall you will definitely like them live they sound great live and it's a good addtion to your cd collection.

Live albums never seem to quite capture the magic but this is the exception to the rule. Amazing visuals of the band in front of 22000 people in Manila. Music sounds amazing and it was clearly an awesome show to be at.

What can I say? Another awesome cd and live performance from Shadows Fall. All I can say this is nonstop pure heavy thrash. This is a must own for any Shadows Fall fan!

Great live stuff

Madness In Manilla is a live DVD/CD combo released in 2010 by the Massachusetts based American Metalcore band Shadows Fall, which was recorded live at Summerslam Festival in the Philippines back in 2009. The performance features a career spanning sixteen-track setlist that is balanced and which covers all the band's most well known material as well as a few less expected numbers for variety.This DVD is a proper full-length concert video of a single concert, as opposed to how either their previous DVD, The Art Of Touring or for example Down's Diary Of A Mad Band were set out. Luckily for most concert fans, the set isn't interspersed with home video footage or animations either, just the live performance from beginning to end.The band play on a large outdoor festival stage along to an incredibly detailed light show, with all sorts of rotating, panning and altering lights, spots and colour changes, as well as lots of dry ice.The camerawork features lots of movement, with all sorts of cranes and dollys employed along with the usual camera crew, the whole operation is a lot more complex and professional than any of the band's previously available live videos from bonus discs and such things.You get a lot of coverage of the instruments being played which is always a plus for viewers who are musicians and a good cover of the band's famously proficient drummer Jason Bitner. What you also get to see a lot of is singer Brian Fair windmilling his knee-length dreadlocks, which is an interesting sight all things considered.Whilst there are a lot of positives to be said about the visuals, there are some issues in the shot matching, occasional framing problems and the dry ice can effect the picture quality, it switches from incredibly high resolution shots on cranes and not so great images on handhelds. Furthermore the menus are cheap looking and basic so it isn't as absolutely perfect as some bigger band's festival DVDs or equally sized band's indoor concert DVDs, but is still a strong release overall.Standout tracks include the furious performance of early classic `Crushing Belial,' which is opened with an enthusiastic yet expletive description of its epic status by Brian, which gives you a good idea of the energy and attitude that then goes into the ensuing performance. Other highlights include the Grammy nominated set closer `Redemption' as well as the newer track `War' which hammers away at a relentless pace.Additionally; there are bonus features, which include four more live videos for `The Light That Blind,' `Redemption,' `Venous' and `Thoughts Without Words,' from Japan, The Philippines and Korea respectively, although the quality obviously isn't as high as the main feature.The sound and mix are great, so judging the product overall; the only real problems with the DVD apart from the previous mentioned visuals are subjective problems with Shadows Fall in general. If for example, you think their material is samey then sixteen tracks in a row may be a bit much for you, and similarly if you are used to their super-polished studio sound, then the live backing vocals or clean sections may well sound odd or strangely out of place.Otherwise however, Madness In Manilla is a very good release from Shadows Fall that I would definitely recommend to fans. Due to its high sound quality and expansive setlist, it would make a fine introduction to the band for newcomers as well.

残念な出来だった以前リリースされたDVD作品に比べれば大分マシです。 あのライブ映像に比べれば全然合格点です(笑) 不満をあげるならば正直、何故こんなトコ(場所)でのライブをこの作品に選んだのか(失礼) まあ安いし悪い出来でもないんで、SHADOWS FALL好きだしね!! ☆いくつもなにも取り敢えずこんなもんだろといった感じ。 SHADOWS FALL好きだしね(笑) JASON BITTNER最高!!!!セットリストにSTILL I RISEがなんでないの?(笑)