So, you didn’t make it to Poland last year to check out the MetalMania Festival? Or maybe you did and want a chance to relive the show. Well, this set is for you. It’s a great way to get a feel of what the festival was all about.  The DVD provides anywhere from one song (Crystal Abyss and Paradise Lost) all the way up to five tracks (Testament) from the main stage bands. With groups ranging from Blaze Bayle to Sepultura to Darzamat and Vital Remains (and the aforementioned bands), it represents a great cross section of metal. The performances are all good and some are great.  The video and audio are both quite good and we get a great musical document of what must have been a killer show. Sure, it would have been nice to have complete sets of all the bands, but this is great as is. In fact, had they stopped there this would be a set well worth having.

They didn’t quit while they were ahead, though. You see, the festival has two stages – the main stage which was represented on the DVD and a side stage with lesser known bands. They have included a CD with this set that serves up a sampling of the groups from that second stage. Herein we get performances from Carnal, Horrorscope, TYR, Benediction and others. This time around it’s only one song each, but you know what, this CD is just the gravy on top of the meat and potatoes.

All in all, whether you wanted to attend and couldn’t or were there, this would be a great document of a vital metal festival. Even if you’ve never heard of it before this is a great chance to sample some excellent heavy metal. I can’t imagine a better way to get an idea of how all these bands sound. This is highly recommended. 

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2008  Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.