Estradasphere — Passion For Life

It has been in the works for quite some time but here it is: the first Estradasphere DVD. It got even better because it’s a double-disc with a live-CD too. Where the vhs Days Of Our Lives marked Esphere Phaze 1 were Dave Murray was still in the band, Passion For Life marks Phaze 2 where John Whooley is still in and Dave makes some returns as a sessiondrummer along with Theo Mordey.

If you’re familiar with the video you might know what to expect a bit, although the overall quality of the recordings is much better and less ‘bootleggy’. Still no big-shot hifi or crisp high definition visuals or anything, but this is obviously a labour of love after all and that is exactly what makes this DVD worthwhile. Another difference is that there are less theatrics on these live-shows. No 'death metal cheerleaders', firedancers, readers and whatnot, but 'just' Estradasphere. Which is no problem as they are a great live-band and this is what makes it an enjoyable watch, especially those that didn’t have the chance to see them perform in their own neck of the woods. With great sense of humour and lots of positive energy we get to see performances of their ‘hits’ Buck Fever, The Danse Of Tosho & Slavi/Randy’s Desert Adventure, Bodyslam and on top of that we get video’s for The Silent Elk Of Yesterday and Burnt Corpse. Also included are studio-outtakes, fun stuff from the road, interviews and a great street performance of Whoolilicious (why do police officers have to be such partypoopers?). We get to see a performance of Musicawi Silt (a.k.a. Safina on Book M) with the Secret Chiefs 3 and a fun medley with Farmers Market. Also tons of stuff is ‘hidden’ as easter eggs.

The audio CD has more treasures like a fiery performance of Feed Your Mama’s Meter, a band version of Planet Sparkle, the Romanian/Serbian medley Buchuresti Hora vs. Narodno Kolo with a funny intermezzo that I’m not going to tell, more Whoolilicious, a bunch of new Nintendo-tunes and a hilarious improvisation by Joey (I.S.S.). Very enjoyable indeed.

This might seem a thing exclusively for the fans and of course these people will surely enjoy this, but given the nature of Estradasphere as a live-band it might also serve as representative taster of ‘the Sphere’. The band manages to sound convincing in every genre they choose to tackle and they manage to sound as themselves in all of them, be it Irish folk, vicious grindcore or catchy pop. Now let’s see what Phaze 3 will bring with the new members Kevin and Adam.