User Reviews

After having received my Red Deluxe Edition of Porcupine Tree's "Anesthetize" and watching the DVD twice and Blu-ray once (thanks to my lady so graciously allowing me to hook up her lap top), I can say this is the best concert film I have seen to date. The quality is superb. They have broken new ground for concert films. Not going to review this SE packaging (it is beautiful!) because most of you will be getting the standard DVD or Blu-ray/DVD edition. I almost don't feel it is justified to compare this to any previous films before the era of high definition and surround audio; however, there are some really great films that have also been remastered and re-released on DVD and Blu-ray.

Three things stand out about this concert film: 1) the band's musicianship, 2) the camera work and 3) the sound. If you want to see footage of a band that is at the prime of their career, this is by far one of the best you will find. There are few bands in existence this in tune and connected on stage during a performance. Most any viewer, even an experienced performing musician, can watch this and wonder how much practice it takes to be this good. Even with great musicianship comes expected flaws. That is what gives live performances character. Granted, on this film you will hear deviations from the studio versions of songs, but you will not hear anything that sounds like a screw up. It just doesn't happen with these guys. Steven Wilson and John Wesley feed well off their vocals and guitar playing. Richard Barbieri is hugely proficient keyboardist and track effects artists. I would love to see him perform solo. Colin Edwin is a really cool cat. Aside from being a great bass musician, he also has the facial expression of someone that looks eternally high or exceedingly at peace with his own mortality, not sure of which. And then there is Gavin Harrison... this being that has transcended the vastness of the deep space and the opposite ends of the universe to take up residence here on planet earth as some mythological drum god. If you have any interest in percussion, it is required that you own this film. No questions asked!

I have never seen camera work this good for a concert film. You will notice very few instances of a cameraman caught in the video. You must try hard to find. The shots are edited well and there is very little favoritism to any of the band members. I expected Wilson to have the most film time because he is the lead vocalist; however, if he does have most of the face time, it is hard to notice. There are cameras mounted underneath and overhead of Gavin's drum kit so you get some really spectacular footage of him melting your face. The video quality is excellent. I am not entirely sure if all the cameras were high definition, because there are moments where the transfer appears grainy. I am watching this on a Sony Bravia 1080p 42" LCD flat screen. However, on some shots this could be an intended effect by Hoile. Like the backstage scenes in black and white for example. Most of the shots are clean and crisp with beautiful color transfer, which important for the lighting and setting the mood matte with the music. This all comes off with stunning effect. This is not the highest quality footage compared to big-budgeted films; however, based on concert filming alone, Lasse Hoile, the director, gets an A+ grade.

The sound quality is most impressive, though the DVD version has screwed up menus. I was not the first to notice this, but the author of the DVD transferred the same menu from the Blu-ray version. The receiver (Denon AVR 3310 CI) I am using confirms the DVD includes 2.0 PCM and 5.1 DTS for surround. So even though the menu says DTS HD MA 5.1 and LPCM on the DVD, again, you're only getting PCM and DTS 5.1. Granted this sounds good, but the Blu-ray is where you find some insane sound quality. Here you will find the DTS HD MA and LPCM sources, or 24bit 5.1 and 2.0 Lossless Studio Masters. You need an HDMI receiver that can handle these formats or a Blu-ray player that has the ability to decode straight to analog. Otherwise, your audio will default to the same sources found on the DVD. Not bad, but definitely worth getting a Blu-ray player. I have read reviews by many who recommend an Oppo Universal Format Player. The BDP-80 is affordable and the BDP-83 series is a huge bargain if you're an audiophile. These handle everything, including DVDA and SACD, and will probably lead to Denon dropping the price of their universal player (which is now grossly overpriced). I'll eventually get one. I can't continue hijacking the Blu-ray drive in my girlfriends laptop, so I'm going to have to splurge soon.

Porcupine Tree's "Anethetize" has dethroned the long reigning king, "How The West Was Won" by Led Zeppelin. I have seen some fantastic concert films, including Queen's "Live at Wembely" and "Rocks Montreal and Live Aid," King Crimson's "Deja Vroom," Neil Young's "Heart of Gold' and Roger Water's "In the Flesh" to name a select few. But for now, "Anesthetize" is the new undisputed champion of my collection.

About five years ago, I told a friend of mine, "This band can do no wrong". With this latest DVD, it's still true. With Steven Wilson on lead vocals and guitar, plus mixing the 5.1 surround sound, this is truly a marvel to behold, both visually and sonically. Wilson has been writing the majority of lyrics for all their albums and is considered the "voice" of PT. He also does the occasional turn on keyboards. There's nothing flashy about his playing, but he's still a truly under-rated guitarist. There are few words to describe a band with this much talent, yet, all the members are very unassuming. Richard Barbieri fills in with his keyboards, creating sonic landscapes that fill the speakers. Colin Edwin, doing a workman's bass, lays down the solid and necessary foundation required of any band with so much precision. John Wesley is the "touring" guitarist, backing up Wilson on vocals and guitar. But, occasionally, he shines with his own excellent guitar and wonderful voice. Gavin Harrison.....well, what else can be said about him. He's constantly on the go, re-affirming his stance as the world's greatest progressive drummer for four years in a row. If you're interested in rock music, excellent vocals, well-played, with thought-provoking lyrics, wonderful musicianship, great visuals, plus great surround sound effects, get this DVD!

Outstanding release from an outstanding artist. The performances are stellar from a band that always delivers. The sound is fantastic and the video and the colors are radiant. They start the show by performing the "Fear of the Blank Planet" album in it's entirety, followed by a brief shot of them taking a reflective break, then the show continues with a variety of tunes from the Nil Recurring, In Absentia, Deadwing, and Signify albums. For any fan who has seen them live, it is like being there again. The blu-ray also contains several of the live tracks accompanied only by the background film Lasse Hoile. The only negative for me was that it could have used a little footage of them backstage offered as a special feature.

It's official: this could very well be the best concert DVD (not to mention the greatest packaging and presentation) I have ever seen. The photo book is just lovely. Incredibly high quality snaps that are nearly as good (though not quite) as being there in the front row in person. Some of the pics seem to be from the Incident tour, rather than the Tour of a Blank Planet (i remember Steve wearing that t shirt with the screaming baby with 'LULU' written underneath, on their recent Aussie tour), but they're so lush, it really doesn't bother me. It almost makes up for me not being alive in the vinyl gatefold artwork days, having this extraordinarily well-thought-out packaging. PT give you the whole package. Not just the amazing music (that itself is worth the asking price alone), but the superlative visuals, and the stunning artwork, too.

The concert itself is pretty much flawless. Exquisite performances of many of my favourite PT songs, including Dark Matter, Sever, .3, Normal, Drown With Me, the list goes on and on. The setlist was perfect (although there's so much fantastic material in their catalogue that they could have played just about anything from their discography and I'd be happy), with the only disappointment being the omission of Stars Die . Even some songs which I didn't count as faves beforehand (Sleep Together, for one) sound so brilliant on this DVD. Wilson sings with a much more aggressive tone on this track than he does in the studio, and it really suits it. The harmonies between Wilson and Wesley are of course amazing. I loved John Wesley's version of the My Ashes chorus. Beautiful. I got goosebumps. And Half Light. Oh, Half Light. I had to hold back tears at that one.

Amazing DVD, and even better than Arriving Somewhere (itself a near flawless live DVD). Unfortunately, I have not watched the Bluray version yet (just the DVD on my laptop). I'll have to bung it into my PS3 and check that baby out.

My only letdowns in the entire set were minor issues. One of these being the 'outro' of Strip The Soul being lost. I love that ultra heavy part at the end. I love .3 as well, though, so can't complain too much. The other was the lack of Gavin's final drum fill at the end of Sleep Together.

Other moments were so perfect, though. Dark Matter, what more can be said? That solo was otherworldly. And the way Half Light segued straight into Sever... amazing. Overall, a five star DVD.

Superb.

OK, where do I start? PT (as fans around the world call the band) shaped a new path of musical awareness for me. Their albums transcending from one album to another, conquering everything in their way and never compromising with their sound and quality of music. I've been a huge fan of the band ever since I heard Lightbulb Sun and afterward digging deeper into everything they've done. For a start, their "Arriving Somewhere" DVD released in 2006 left me in awe. From the camera work to the lighting to their brilliant performance. The band delivered with help from John Wesley who plays guitar and sings backing vocals for the band during live sessions. From what I've seen from their previous performances (Rockpalast, Nearfest, MHz, and some bootleg videos uploaded by fans around the world in you-tube), PT promises everything a music fanatic could ask for.

Myself being an avid metal fan all my life, live performances matter a lot. And Porcupine Tree, not being a metal band (although having a lot of metal elements in their music post-In Absentia), became my favorite band (or should Isay "The Greatest Band In The Planet") due to their amazing liveperformances, their passion and sincerity for the music they play. The vocal arrangements done by Steven Wilson is beyond belief (Ethereal), followed by the catchy and technical drumming by Gavin Harrison, the haunting atmospherics produced by Richard Barbierri and the on-the-dot precise bass-lines by Colin Edwin.

Come 2010. PT now released Anesthetize. With a fan following much larger than before, one can witness the crowd gathered there to witness the Greatest Band In The Planet doing what they do best. Starting out with Fear Of A Blank Planet from the album with the same name and playing the whole album live on stage, I was stunned at the precision of the band, not that it was something new, but that they were simply amazing. What also caught my attention was the awesome and sometimes psychedelic lighting and the background videos which would leave you feeling like never before. This DVD/Bluray is unlike Arriving Somewhere in almost every aspect, although I love their previous DVD with all my heart equally as I love this one. From the formal performance shown in Arriving Somewhere, comes a heavier live offering, belting out songs from Fear Of A Blank Planet, Nil Recurring, Signify, In Absentia and Deadwing. I envy the people who have seen the band in person, because I for one would give anything to see them before my time is up. My only complaint is they should have played some tracks from their Lightbulb Sun and Stupid Dream albums. None the less, one of the greatest concerts you will ever witness on DVD, the other contender being their previous DVD. This DVD left me feeling more grateful to be alive and proves that great musicians still walk the Earth. Thank you Porcupine Tree. Thank you Steven Wilson.

Highlights: My Ashes, Halo, Anesthetize, Sentimental, Normal, Half-Light, Drown With Me.

Read the other reviews. They say it all. I added this review for those not fully introduced to the band, and for those fans wondering whether it's worth getting this DVD/Blu Ray. This performance is exemplary of the kind of passion, dedication, and respect this band has for their music. The performance is surely the most atmospheric, evocative and ethereal of all the concert DVDs out there. The range of musical genres used by Steven Wilson, along with the accompanying multimedia by Lasse Hoile is a real treat. You are sure to find something you like among the wide range of musical genres and artistic sources the band draws inspiration from. The audio quality and amazing direction provides the topping on the cake. In short, whether you are and old time fan or not sure whether you like PT's music, this film is an absolute must have for the sheer boundaries it pushes in terms of providing audiences an immersive and unforgettable experience.

Let's start off with the complaint. The sound menu is screwed up on the DVD. The real options are stereo PCM and DD5.1. Pretty much standard DVD Audio. No complaints about the sound quality, but it would have been nice if the menu wasn't incorrect.

Now, here's my opinions:

I've watched this three times since I got it a couple weeks ago. This is my new favorite music DVD.

The sound quality is flawless. Sounds as good as any studio album by any band. There is nonstop absolute perfection throughout when it comes to the audio recording.

The 5.1 Mix is fantastic. Parallels the 5.1 mix on Arriving Somewhere and IMO, it beat's Opeth Lammentations. (though Opeth still are my favorite band, but that's another subject)

The cinematography and camera-work as well as the background videos are timed, coordinated, and shot perfectly with the music.

The lighting is set up perfectly.

Very solid 10/10, best concert video I have ever seen. Best music video I have ever seen. Among the best videos I have seen of any genre. I think that even if all of the worlds greatest directors got together, and worked with Lasse Hoile, and he took the best advice he got, there could be no better result than this. Lasse Hoile and Porcupine tree achieved the impossible. They have achieved perfection.