Wow, this is some package! This is what I would call a "massive" set. The Mission - a spin off of Sisters of Mercy has just released this 2 DVD one CD set, and it's simply a lot of bang for the buck. The first DVD is primarily a concert that was filmed in April of 2004. This was apparently done for the European show Rockpalast and therefore the video and audio quality are top-notch. That disc also includes several video clips. The second DVD includes a biography, a discography, interviews, several more video clips and a computer animation by Wayne Hussey from the band. The CD contains a number of live audio tracks. I have to say that this set puts a lot of artist's DVD's to shame.

Even looking at what you see above, though, really doesn't show how much the band did to make this special. While most groups that include a biography and/or discography on their DVD do so with cover pics or just text - and no narration. This one is quite different. Both of these sections include narration from Wayne Hussey and lots of pictures, and audio clips/video clips from the various releases. This thing is just packed with really well done extras - it's a first class job.

For those not familiar with the band, The Mission's music is in the same general musical territory as the band that spawned it. While Goth is the term that's often seen applied to this band, in many ways they seem too light (in terms of coloration, not how hard the music rocks) for that moniker. To me their sound is somewhat along the lines of what you might get if you crossed Depeche Mode with U2 and made it a lot heavier. I guess you would put them in the same category as The Cult.

The bottom line - this is a very impressive release by a very strong band. Fans of the group probably have already picked this one up. If not, what are you waiting for? For those who haven't heard them, this would be a great first look at them.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2005 Year Book Volume 3 at https://garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2005.