Styx: One With Everything Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.5

Styx: One With Everything Blu-ray Movie Review

On May 26, 2006 legendary progressive-rock band Styx collaborated with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra of Cleveland, Ohio, conducted by Liza Grossman, for one of a kind show titled One With Everything. Some of the band's greatest hits, including "Blue Collar Man", "Renegade" and "Crystal Ball" were rearranged and performed in front of an ecstatic and highly appreciative crowd.

This Blu-ray disc contains a total of seventeen songs with two Christmas songs offered as bonus features. They are all given a terrific orchestral upgrade that enhances tremendously the progressive element in them. In addition, there are a number of very interesting new solos that have been added to quite a few of the songs allowing members of the Contemporary Youth Orchestra to shine.

What really makes One With Everything a terrific show, however, is its atmosphere. While this isn't the first collaboration between a major rock band and a symphony orchestra - Metallica and their collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in 1999 for example was a groundbreaking event that changed the way heavy metal was perceived by many - this project is truly unique because it brings together two entirely different generations of musicians with admirable respect for each other.

The actual performances are outstanding. Styx sound just as impressive as they were more than twenty years ago and the passion that oozes from their songs is indeed very difficult to resist (keep an eye on how some of the young musicians in the orchestra react to the music). And, yes, Styx have aged a bit, but their music certainly hasn't.

Technically, One With Everything ranks amongst the top symphonic-rock concerts that I have seen. Accommodating the large amount of people (orchestra, chorus and band) on the stage and giving everyone an opportunity to truly contribute to this most memorable event while producing quality music must have been an extremely difficult task to accomplish. Nonetheless, One With Everything looks and sounds fantastic and it certainly proves that great music doesn't age.

Styx: One With Everything Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080i "live" transfer, Styx: One With Everything arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment.

This is yet another solid Blu-ray disc from Eagle Rock Entertainment. Originally released on standard DVD in November of 2006, Styx: One With Everything has received a very pleasing HD upgrade - contrast, clarity and detail are notably strong on this Blu-ray transfer. Mild motion-judder is present but, as far as I am concerned, it is not an issue of concern. On the other hand, I could not spot any disturbing macroblocking sequences to report here either. The actual concert has been recorded with multiple HD cameras allowing one to follow not only the members of Styx, but the Contemporary Youth Orchestra and choir led by Liza Grossman as well. There are also a number of very good shots capturing the audience in the massive venue. Finally, I did not detect any print deteriorations to report here. To sum it all up, Styx: One With Everything is very well produced and transferred to Blu-ray in a manner that certainly leaves very little room for criticism. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release which you will be able to play on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

Styx: One With Everything Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are three audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and LPCM 2.0. I viewed Styx: One With Everything with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and later on performed random comparisons with the Dolby Digital 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 tracks for the purpose of this review.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is outstanding. It is so well mixed and balanced that at times it is hard to believe that what you hear on the disc was actually recorded live. I was paying very close attention to the manner in which the orchestra and the choir were treated and, suffice to say, I am very pleased with what I heard (listen carefully to the brass section in Blue Collar Man, it is simply terrific). This being said, the bass is rich and the high frequencies not overdone. As far as the surround activity is concerned, there is plenty that you will hear coming off of speakers.

As expected, the Dolby Digital 5.1 track does not quite match the richness and depth of the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The orchestra in particular is not as impressive on the Dolby Digital 5.1 track as it is on the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The choir is somewhat less problematic but, again, I feel that the type of enhancements the loseless track delivers are simply missing on the Dolby Digital 5.1 track. As far as the LPCM 2.0 track is concerned, all that I could add here is that even though balance is improved on it, the overall presentation is far less appealing, given how rich the dynamic amplitude is on the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Lastly, I did not detect any disturbing drop outs, cracks, pops, or hissings to report here.

Styx: One With Everything Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

In addition to two Christmas songs - All I Want and Ring The Bells - that have been offered as bonus material, on this Blu-ray disc you will also find an interesting collection of interviews where the members of Styx and Liza Grossman explain how Styx: One With Everything came to exist, how everything was put together etc. Finally, there is also a curious hidden-camera feature called Quake Cam that shows drummer Todd Sucherman in action.

Styx: One With Everything Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Eagle Rock Entertainment deliver yet another fantastic disc! One With Everything is an amazing show (seeing the enthusiastic young musicians performing with the legendary Styx is indeed something else) that anyone could enjoy. Outstanding! Very Highly Recommended.