Who would have guessed that Swedish death metal pioneers Dismember would not only last two decades, but continue to break new territories (without longtime driving force/drummer Fred Estby) and issue a career retrospective DVD paired with a second disc from a recent full-length festival performance (Party San ‘08). Hey, I love these guys. There’s a reason I brought Dismember to the BW&BK 6-Pack Weekend, especially after seeing them slay the main stage at Wacken. So I assumed (correctly, mind you), they’d do the same in Cleveland. While loving Everflowing Dream, the most recent trio, including Where Iron Crosses Grow and The God That Never Was might even be better! However, the show captured features only four compositions since 2000. Speaking of their debut, of the 15 tracks in the concert footage, the eight closing tracks are from said platter, chronologically. As a festival performance, the crowd doesn’t appear to be responsive to the band’s status... apparently looking for someone else! Then again, having spoken with singer Matti Karki, I’m not sure he even realizes their stature, He just goes onstage and gives 100%, wherever, whenever. There are lots of overhead shot and in all honesty, the visuals are weak. Little in the way of between song raps, as Matti’s (after 20+ years) still a shy guy. We do get to hear all the band members speak in a 48-minute documentary, plus there’s bonus footage that includes (bowling?), bootlegs strung together in a more artistic fashion and a running joke about Gothenburg (not the band’s hometown, that’s Stockholm). The accompanying booklet is a collage of tour photos for each guy, no text. While they do talk, they say little, not much is revealed, no in-depth discussion of albums/songs (new nor old) and the departure of founder/drummer Fred Estby (who seemingly single-handedly ran the band for year. I doubt such a lukewarm project would have been issued on his watch) is mentioned almost as an afterthought. Might have been nice to get his perspective on camera. In discussing fans, they observe, “They meet you and find out we are as much an idiot as they are. You should always be there to sign albums for your fans. If you don’t, you’re an asshole.” Karki’s take on the band and its longevity: “It’s not supposed to be perfect, it’s (just) supposed to be good. Dismember doesn’t evolve. We are the same retards. Don’t stop buying CDs just because you can download (them for free).” In terms of recording, “If there’s a technical competence in Dismember it’s on the minus scale.” While the rating isn’t that low, could have/should have been so much more.
