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Playing Off The Board

a DVD/Video Release
by: Andromeda
Release Year:
2007
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Added To Proggnosis on: 03 May 2007

Track Listing 

    DVD:
  1. Periscope
  2. Mirages
  3. In the Deepest of Waters
  4. Two Is One
  5. The Hidden Riddle
  6. Chameleon Carneval
  7. Inner Circle
  8. Eclipse
  9. In the End
  10. Encyclopedia
  11. Reaching Deep Within
  12. The Words Unspoken
    CD (only available in limited swing case edition):
  1. Periscope
  2. Mirages
  3. In the Deepest of Waters
  4. Two Is One
  5. The Hidden Riddle
  6. Inner Circle
  7. Eclipse
  8. In the End
  9. Encyclopedia
  10. Reaching Deep Within
  11. The Words Unspoken
    Bonus video:
  • Interview with Johan Reinholdz and Martin Hedin
  • Interview with David Fremberg and Thomas Lejon
  • Rehearsal, October 2006
  • Andromeda Goes Dutch
  • European Tour Tales
  • Three Days in Poland
  • Old Live Footage
    Also includes:
  • Photo gallery
  • Biography
  • Discography
  • Desktop images
  • Weblinks
  • Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

Performer Credits  


David Fremberg
vocals
Johan Reinholdz
guitar
Martin Hedin
keyboards
Thomas Lejon
drums
Fabian Gustavsson
bass

Reviews


review by: MJBradyI have to credit Metal Mind productions from Poland for their efforts in making some of the more obscure, yet talented progressive artists like Andromeda available to the public. Artist's like these are often not in a position to create a high quality audio/visual product due to their limited funds, promotional backing and/or popularity. Yet Metal Mind has been releasing quite a few very good live concerts featured in the beautifully quaint surroundings of the Slaski Theater in Katowice, Poland.

The DVD features a 12 song setlist from Andromeda's three previously released cds, and also some interviews with band members, as well as some footage of the band during tours and studio events, giving a close up look at the musicians in a more personal setting. Yet this DVD proves that this band is truely a professional and talented band that is well deserving of their place amoung the top tier of progressive metal bands worldwide. The performances are flawless, only shedding light to the fans of their music that they are fully capable of delivering their complex, sophisticated music in perfectly executed form. The visual element on the DVD spotlights each musician in the band, and special mention needs to be said of the soundboard mix, absolutely perfect. It's as if I were hearing them in a studio, all the instruments are mixed great.

Andromeda fans know that each musician is a virtuoso at their respective instrument, and it appears that the producers are well aware of that fact, as the camera views are constantly showcasing the players from many different shots and angles. As for the performers, well, this dispels and myths of their being studio magicians, starting with guitarist - Johan Reinholtz, his job in the band is very demanding, having to try to capture the sounds of their studio work on stage would seem a difficult task, yet his skill on the guitar is such, that he never seems overburdened with the challenge. He is a great soloist, as well as a rhythm player, often times he is playing for ambiance, complimenting the keyboard arrangements. Keyboardist - Martin Hedin also impresses, seeing the band live shows that he is far more involved and skilled than the cds would indicate, he shares in some of the singing as well.

Behind the frontline is perhaps the best kept secret in the world of modern drummers, Thomas Lejon brings everything the band does to a level beyond, his technique is playful and precise, I was very impressed with how his flare for perplexing polyrhythms comes across so fluid live, he is equal parts Vinnie Colaiuta, Terry Bozzio, and Bill Bruford all rolled into one, maybe even more exciting. New bassist - Fabian Gustavsson is like the rest, a solid, well rounded player, of all the band members, his has the most subdued role, simply for the fact that the arrangements are so precise and technically exacted, so his job is never easy, but necessary to the overall effective delivery of the music. The biggest challenge many bands face live is how the vocals come across, and here again Andromeda shines, David Fremberg is a great singer, his range and power never strain, even during the most demanding segments, he is also a great frontman, evident by his attempt to inspire what seems like a sleepy audience into some vocal interaction. Fremberg and Hedin also do the more effect laden vocals heard on their cds to perfection as well.

A great DVD, and for Andromeda fans, a dream come true, this is too good a band not to be heard and seen, Dream Theater fans, and progmetal fans in general need to get this. The non-concert material is interesting as well, in fact during the interview, Reinholtz and Hedin reveal the story behind the bands' first cd, and how it was not really a 'band' recording, but more a solo/studio cd, with a singer they really have never met in person. From the success of Extension of the Wish, they became a real band, and now with two studio releases (II=I, Chimera) since, they are really just getting their stride as a band, hence the reasons they have adopted a different sound, anyway, I digress here, but the extra footage is both fun and informational.

Andromeda is definitely at the top of the heap for progressive metal music, and this show should convince most that they are as good as it gets for this music. Again, my compliments to Metal Mind, they have surprised me with some great bands on DVD, I hope they continue this trend, perhaps I can send a wishlist to them, and get more of these hard working talented artists exposed on the DVD format, let's see, where to start? Dreamscape, Vanden Plas, Symphony X, A.C.T., Adagio, Spiral Archetect, Sieges Even, Pagan's Mind, Kaipa, Mind's Eye, etc, etc, etc....if only, who knows? Anything is possible.

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