HARDWARES

The title is pure Tobias Sammet. Only his sense of humour would have the (wrong) four-letter F word censored! This is an audio/visual package, encompassing ‘06 concert from Sao Paulo, Brazil, along with four promotional videos and a tour documentary (not previewed). The 14 live numbers are evenly split across the pair of CDs (48/51 minutes respectively). Those who purchased the double disc version of Tinnitus Sanctus received an hour long, ten-song live album from Los Angeles in ‘07. The running order is virtually the same, the quartet of Fire extras being ‘Land Of The Miracle’, ‘Save Me’, ‘Mysteria’ and the set ending ‘Out Of Control’ (old school, established closer, but still a bit of an odd choice in my book). Easy to see why the Germans chose Sao Paulo for a DVD/live disc, as the Brazilians are mad, singing along from word go. They even mimic the opening “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the freakshow” intro! Like vintage (read: pre-MTV) Twisted Sister, an Edguy show is only partially about the music. It’s also a chance to see the wild Sammet at his best, ad-libbing to the crowd (his take on the standard rock contrivance of left vs. right sides of the audience screaming along is too much, even if it’s only three songs in, after ‘Babylon’). ‘Superheroes’ has the diminutive foul-mouth yip and noticeably stumble, but ‘Avantasia’, despite not being a proper Edguy tune, brings the house down. Don’t want to ruin a good joke, but comedic introduction to an otherwise boring ‘Save Me’ ballad, complete with call for the audience’s cell phone displays (candles and cigarette lighters being old fashioned) is better than the track itself. Likewise, Sammet prefaces ‘Land Of The Miracle’ by asking, “Sao Paulo, do you like heavy metal? Then you’ll hate the next song. It’s a boring, pussy song!” How many artists can castigate their own material with a wry smile? Particularly in light of the latest studio effort (seen by many as the demise of the band they once loved, i.e. the act on display herein), this Fire should prove to be a hot property. One point added for comedic aspect.