Various Artists
Metal Midnight IV (Video)
Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt
Begotten Breed starts this video off with a good performance of their gothic Metal material. Catalyst comes up next with a hard edge commercial sound. Some of the vocals sound strained; but he looks like Kip Winger, so it's okay, right girls? (NOT!) Contagious is captured on video here for one of their last performances. Martyr's previous incarnation, three-fourths of which is now Betrayal, is captured here as well, in a thrashin' fast set with the vocals and audience live track mixed well above the rest of the music. Some of the hair footage is cool (ha!). Overall, the balance between individual close-ups and the entire stage is done well on this video. Final Axe puts in an energetic performance of average music, although "Baptized in Blood" is about their best song, relying upon a well-written chorus hook. In this song is an actor of Jesus on a cross behind the stage. Seventh Seal closes off the tape with a full color look at the best performers of the night. Lots of moving around and compliments the groovin' material. "He's The Man," the infamous, big Thrash/Rap tune the guys do, shows up just before the credits roll, interrupting a great piece of cinematography. That's basically the package, done with at least three cameras and shot on video tape. For ordering info, write: Prism Productions, 7900 Limonite Ave, Ste. G, Riverside CA 92509.