OK, let's get clear about something: don't compare this release with some other DVD release, like mayhem's or marduk's. This is NOT a concert, this is, as the title says, only a tour view with the guys from Satyricon.Taped by them with a lousy camera. You'll get too see shots from some concerts, here and there. The video is based on the relationship with other bands and getting wasted in all sorts of way. As the guy who commented this remarked, the quality is not among the best, but he obviously forgot something. This video was released on VHS when Rebel Extravaganza came to the stores, the DVD version is just the old tape burnt again on DVD. There were no special features before, so there are none now. Comparing a DVD concert with this video is just silly. If you are a fan, you'll like it, it lasts for 2 hours, and you get too see how the guys entertain themselves on tour.
2 Reviews
A wasted opportunity
mentalcritic11 August 2005
Of the third-tier black metal bands, Satyricon are definitely among the most interesting, even if they are notorious for taking tacky photos. Roadkill Extravaganza covers the European tour undertaken in order to promote Satyricon's fourth album, similarly titled Rebel Extravaganza. Along the way, we see and hear interesting anecdotes about the trials and tribulations of taking a truly alternative band to see the world. It is amazing to remember while this footage plays that while RIAA-endorsed music has been slumping in sales for the best part of twenty years, the MP3 and Internet revolutions have seen the record sales of bands like Satyricon increase by thousands of percent. Something their record label at the time, Moonfog Productions, seems hellbent on conveniently forgetting. So whenever I get a chance to recommend something that a label like Moonfog tries to supplant RIAA product with, I grab it with both hands. However, in the case of Roadkill Extravaganza, especially on DVD, I cannot do this in good faith.
Now that the technology to create DVD-Video has fallen into the hands of the underground, it seems inevitable that all such record labels will have a video compression unit. Season Of Mist, who released Mayhem's European Legions video, have a very good compression unit. Moonfog Productions have one of the worst in existence. After seeing their video for a song that has been released since, I can honestly say that Moonfog Productions do not have the slightest clue about digital video. Everything that appears on this DVD was shot using a camcorder, and some of it was of poor quality to begin with. However, it does not help when around two hours of footage of this quality is crammed onto one layer. Nor does it help when it is encoded at a constant bitrate. Moonfog, the MPEG-2 format was given the capability to support variable bitrates for a very good reason. This is just plain lazy.
The poor presentation of the DVD aside, most of what is presented on this DVD is of some interest. Emphasis on the word "some". Details of touring logistics, finding session members, the Norwegian language, and corruption in some European states, are touched upon but never explored enough to become interesting. About the only tidbit that I even remember well from this documentary is seeing the legendary drumkit that was used during recording sessions on Satyricon's best album, The Shadowthrone. When the band hit America and begin supporting Pantera, it gets even worse, with the glam poseur foursome taking verbal masturbation to such an unholy level I would not be surprised to learn a lot of their fans suddenly realised how suckered they've been after experiencing the difference the real thing makes. Some of the band members are interesting enough to want to see more footage of, especially keyboardist Kine Hult, but the absence of any complete songs or music videos makes it hard to want to watch this documentary a second time.
Out of ten, I have to give this documentary a three. Aside from one funny reference to Sadistik Exekution during the end credits, Roadkill Extravaganza has very little to recommend it. If you are a heavy fan of Satyricon, then it is worth a look, although the video transfer on the DVD will make your eyes water at times. Those new to black metal or Satyricon are advised to look elsewhere.
Now that the technology to create DVD-Video has fallen into the hands of the underground, it seems inevitable that all such record labels will have a video compression unit. Season Of Mist, who released Mayhem's European Legions video, have a very good compression unit. Moonfog Productions have one of the worst in existence. After seeing their video for a song that has been released since, I can honestly say that Moonfog Productions do not have the slightest clue about digital video. Everything that appears on this DVD was shot using a camcorder, and some of it was of poor quality to begin with. However, it does not help when around two hours of footage of this quality is crammed onto one layer. Nor does it help when it is encoded at a constant bitrate. Moonfog, the MPEG-2 format was given the capability to support variable bitrates for a very good reason. This is just plain lazy.
The poor presentation of the DVD aside, most of what is presented on this DVD is of some interest. Emphasis on the word "some". Details of touring logistics, finding session members, the Norwegian language, and corruption in some European states, are touched upon but never explored enough to become interesting. About the only tidbit that I even remember well from this documentary is seeing the legendary drumkit that was used during recording sessions on Satyricon's best album, The Shadowthrone. When the band hit America and begin supporting Pantera, it gets even worse, with the glam poseur foursome taking verbal masturbation to such an unholy level I would not be surprised to learn a lot of their fans suddenly realised how suckered they've been after experiencing the difference the real thing makes. Some of the band members are interesting enough to want to see more footage of, especially keyboardist Kine Hult, but the absence of any complete songs or music videos makes it hard to want to watch this documentary a second time.
Out of ten, I have to give this documentary a three. Aside from one funny reference to Sadistik Exekution during the end credits, Roadkill Extravaganza has very little to recommend it. If you are a heavy fan of Satyricon, then it is worth a look, although the video transfer on the DVD will make your eyes water at times. Those new to black metal or Satyricon are advised to look elsewhere.
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