Extreme: Pornograffitti Live 25 / Metal Meltdown Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Extreme: Pornograffitti Live 25 / Metal Meltdown Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov April 29, 2017

"Extreme: Pornograffitti Live 25/Metal Meltdown" arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Loud & Proud Records. The supplemental features on the disc include the documentary film "The Tougher the Road, The Harder They Rock", a collection of original archival photos, and a CD with a recording of the entire show. Region-Free.

Twenty-five years later

The rock scene today is in a very serious crisis, but it is not a shortage of talent that is responsible for it. There are a number of factors that contributed to the crisis, but the two that did the most damage are the expansion of the internet and the disappearance of the great talent scouts that used to travel across the country and look out for new bands that created good music.

The big picture that no one wants to openly talk about, however, is that the music industry is actually steadily destroying itself from within. The process started a long time ago when the overpaid CEOs at the big labels that controlled it decided that short-term profits are more important than the value and longevity of the catalogs that they were representing and consumers began adjusting their purchasing habits. There are a few great independent labels in America and Europe that in recent years have been trying to reverse the damage, but it has not been easy. The music industry now is very much like the fast-food industry. It offers a lot of the same mediocre product in different sizes -- hence the reason why the masses prefer to purchase single tracks, though also rather reluctantly as there are more and more young consumers that appear convinced that music ought to be free, and there have not been any great concept albums in decades -- and is hell-bent on promoting global mergers that guarantee better profits over quality.

Extreme are one of those truly talented rock bands that were lucky to emerge at a time when the music industry still functioned as it should. Pornograffitti, their second and arguably best album, was released in 1990, and the show that is included on this Blu-ray disc was staged in Las Vegas' Hard Rock Casino in 2015 to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Apparently, it was the first time that the band performed their classic album live in its entirety at home in America.

So how do Extreme look and sound after all these years? They look a little older (and bassist Pat Badger a little heavier), but the quality of their music hasn’t changed. Nuno Bettencourt still does some remarkable things with his guitar, and Gary Cherone is very much in full control of his voice. The chemistry between these guys hasn’t disappeared either. (This is quite surprising really as during the years they have all done some major work away from the band. See the long documentary that is included on the disc for more on the subject).

It is difficult to pick highlights here because the entire setlist is really good, but perhaps “Get the Funk Out” (for its infectious rhythm) and the classic ballad “More Than Words” can be used to convince someone that isn’t familiar with Extreme’s work to pick up the release. Adding Bettencourt’s master-class performance of Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee probably would not hurt either.

The venue has a decent-size stage that allows the crowd to be very close to the band. The stage lighting is excellent, but it is controlled to help maintain a nice atmosphere rather than overwhelm the crowd with fancy effects or pyrotechnics.

*Also included on this Blu-ray disc is a long documentary film in which the members of Extreme discuss their history together, the conception of Pornograffitti, and what the future may look for them. In it there are also clips from interviews with other musicians (Brian May, Dweezil Zappa) and veteran producers and recording specialists, bits of which are used in the main show.

Tracklisting

1. Decadence Dance (Live)
2. Li'l Jack Horny (Live)
3. When I'm President (Live)
4. Get the Funk Out (Live)
5. More Than Words (Live)
6. Money (In God We Trust) (Live)
7. It ('s a Monster) (Live)
8. Pornograffitti (Live)
9. When I First Kissed You (Live)
10. Suzi (Wants Her All Day What?) (Live)
11. Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee (Live)
12. He-Man Woman Hater (Live)
13. Song For Love (Live)
14. Hole Hearted (Live)
15. Play With Me
16. Cupid's Dead

Band Line-Up

Nuno Bettencourt (Guitar)
Gary Cherone (Vocals)
Pat Badger (Bass)
Kevin Figueiredo (Drums)

Extreme: Pornograffitti Live 25 / Metal Meltdown Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Extreme: Pornograffitti Live 25/Metal Meltdown arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Loud & Proud Records.

The main show in Las Vegas as well as the additional footage -- including the new footage that is used for the lengthy documentary -- was shot digitally. Unsurprisingly, in terms of clarity, depth and stability the end result is very impressive. Frankly, aside from a couple of quick zooms where light is captured rather awkwardly by the camera, there is nothing that could have been done better. The transfer is great. Perhaps there is room for some minor encoding optimizations, but they would be 'cosmetic work' that would not impact significantly the overall quality of the current presentation. Indeed, even on very large screens the entire show looks really, really good. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Extreme: Pornograffitti Live 25 / Metal Meltdown Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are not provided for the dialog/exchanges or the documentary feature.

I am unsure exactly how the main show was shot and later on mixed, but both tracks are actually very good. I lean towards the 2.0 track as it seems to produce a better overall balance with the crowd noise, but the 5.1 track does open up the sound field and it feels like it captures the atmosphere in the venue a tad better. Clarity and fluidity, however, are identical on both tracks. As I usually do in cases like this one, I'd recommend that you test both track and choose the one that you prefer.

Extreme: Pornograffitti Live 25 / Metal Meltdown Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• The Tougher the Road, The Harder They Rock - this is an outstanding documentary film that that takes a closer look at the history of Extreme, from the band's early days in Boston to the big and successful tours abroad that came later on, the conception of Pornograffitti and its success, and the personal lives and side projects of its members. Included in its a various new interviews with the members of the band, as well as new interviews with other musicians (Brian May, Dweezil Zappa) and veteran producers and recording specialists. In English, not subtitled. (100 min, 1080p).

• Photo Gallery - presented here is a collection of original archival photos. (3 min, 1080p).

• CD - the entire live show presented on a separate CD.

Extreme: Pornograffitti Live 25 / Metal Meltdown Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There were a number of bands during the early '90s that were doing some pretty remarkable things to change mainstream perceptions about rock music. Faith No More and especially Primus, for instance, produced some strikingly diverse albums that surprised a lot of people. Extreme was one of the most commercially successful bands at the time and arguably one of the most technically proficient. This recent Blu-ray release from Loud & Proud Records celebrates the 25th anniversary of their classic album Pornograffitti, and also includes an outstanding new documentary film that chronicles the history and success of the band. I enjoyed the main show and really liked the lengthy documentary film. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.