SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I heard that there would be an accompanying DVD to go with the deluxe version of the new wretched and divine album for only a couple of pounds more my curiosity was instantly pricked. Now I was originally sceptical when I heard that the film's producer/camera man was none other than Andy Biersack's cousin Joe Flanders, because there is always that chance that most of the footage would be centre around his cousin rather than the band and that in some strange sycophantic way it would be a tale of hero worship for one of your own.
Though I am happy to report that this is most definitely not the case, and so I take my proverbial hat off to Joe for creating something which is simply inspiring and captured, in my own opinion all the things fans of this band love about them. Using a mixture of candid shots, individual interviews and moments of lunacy it paints the picture of just how hard all five members of this band work and why they really do deserve a long and successful career. It also reminds us all that they are only human, and that sometimes in order to create something that is really worth its weight you have to remove yourself from your comfort zone and explore exploits that may or may not work for you..... Though in this case it works on so many levels.
I also would like to take a moment to mention the part of this documentary that really grabbed my attention and that was simply what an amazing job Jinxx does on the string sections for the album. the chance to actually see him at work and show you the lengths and creative measures he goes through to produce something so stunningly clever which most people myself included, would have no idea about if it wasn't for this DVD. The fact that Jinxx is so talented he can take three different violin melodies's and arrange them together as one to make something instantly recognisable as 'F.E.A.R' it quite frankly blows my mind and gives me a whole new respect for Jinxx. Another one of my favourite moments is when you see Andy talking about the tracking of 'Done for you' he talks about not wanting to over sell it and this leads to him casually sat on the doorstep of the studio lighting a cigarette and recording the track right there, it is quite beautiful to watch.
There are moments in this film when the realisation of how difficult it is to write a song hits the viewer, and I think that is refreshing to see rather than thinking that it all comes so easily to these five guys, like they sneeze out 18 tracks of pure rock without a second thought! I think that perhaps the only things I would have liked is if the film was slightly longer but that may just be the fan in me talking! Also more insight from Ashley Purdy would have been nice as I feel like there really wasn't enough of Ashley in this piece, whether or not that was something that came down to timings once edited or something else I don't know but that is my own thoughts on a personal level.
To sum it up, this is a really good piece of film, edited well and including a lot of visually dynamic footage from the band and a brilliant insight into the inner workings of music productions so I think in all honesty if you haven't already brought the deluxe edition it is definitely worth you buying it for just a couple pounds extra your expectations and understanding and perhaps love of this band will be enhanced.
"I know that I won't surrender, a warrior of youth"
When I heard that there would be an accompanying DVD to go with the deluxe version of the new wretched and divine album for only a couple of pounds more my curiosity was instantly pricked. Now I was originally sceptical when I heard that the film's producer/camera man was none other than Andy Biersack's cousin Joe Flanders, because there is always that chance that most of the footage would be centre around his cousin rather than the band and that in some strange sycophantic way it would be a tale of hero worship for one of your own.
Though I am happy to report that this is most definitely not the case, and so I take my proverbial hat off to Joe for creating something which is simply inspiring and captured, in my own opinion all the things fans of this band love about them. Using a mixture of candid shots, individual interviews and moments of lunacy it paints the picture of just how hard all five members of this band work and why they really do deserve a long and successful career. It also reminds us all that they are only human, and that sometimes in order to create something that is really worth its weight you have to remove yourself from your comfort zone and explore exploits that may or may not work for you..... Though in this case it works on so many levels.
I also would like to take a moment to mention the part of this documentary that really grabbed my attention and that was simply what an amazing job Jinxx does on the string sections for the album. the chance to actually see him at work and show you the lengths and creative measures he goes through to produce something so stunningly clever which most people myself included, would have no idea about if it wasn't for this DVD. The fact that Jinxx is so talented he can take three different violin melodies's and arrange them together as one to make something instantly recognisable as 'F.E.A.R' it quite frankly blows my mind and gives me a whole new respect for Jinxx. Another one of my favourite moments is when you see Andy talking about the tracking of 'Done for you' he talks about not wanting to over sell it and this leads to him casually sat on the doorstep of the studio lighting a cigarette and recording the track right there, it is quite beautiful to watch.
There are moments in this film when the realisation of how difficult it is to write a song hits the viewer, and I think that is refreshing to see rather than thinking that it all comes so easily to these five guys, like they sneeze out 18 tracks of pure rock without a second thought! I think that perhaps the only things I would have liked is if the film was slightly longer but that may just be the fan in me talking! Also more insight from Ashley Purdy would have been nice as I feel like there really wasn't enough of Ashley in this piece, whether or not that was something that came down to timings once edited or something else I don't know but that is my own thoughts on a personal level.
To sum it up, this is a really good piece of film, edited well and including a lot of visually dynamic footage from the band and a brilliant insight into the inner workings of music productions so I think in all honesty if you haven't already brought the deluxe edition it is definitely worth you buying it for just a couple pounds extra your expectations and understanding and perhaps love of this band will be enhanced.
"I know that I won't surrender, a warrior of youth"