dharding

Received my Blu-Ray of Black Symphony in the mail yesterday and watched it last night. I've had the U.S. release 1CD + 1DVD (NTSC) for a few weeks, but deliberately did NOT watch the DVD, because I wanted to experience the concert in HD glory the first time.

OMFG!

Talk about sensory overload! The bitstream 5.1 sounds incredible! I'm not too enamored with some of the artistic editing of the video and some of the effects used through out (very jerky in places, I'm assuming intentionally so) but the whole thing is a huge spectacle. I cannot imagine what it would have been like to be at this show!

The pullback shots of the stage and crowd give you an idea of the incredible scale of this performance. The HD color palette alone, though, is worth having, for the rich blues and reds.

The orchestral arrangements and the choir add depth and impact, while retaining the familliarity of the songs (WT songs are fairly lushly orchestrated to begin with).

The video quality is solid, but not reference quality. There is some artifacting on occasion and some of the shots are soft (even a few out of focus). I expect some of that in a live concert performance though, with all the different cameras being used.

From a performance perspective, Sharon and the gang never sounded (or looked) better! The orchestra, band, and choir were seamless, dead on. I can't imagine the amount of rehearsal that went into this concert!

Definitely a must-have... oh, and after viewing this, I don't even want to see the DVD.

The Blu-Ray is a Europe-only release, region free. The accompanying bonus DVD is PAL format. AFAIK, the Blu-Ray will NOT be getting a U.S. release.

Information and screen shots: http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies...76&show=review

candyrocket786

This is going to be mine.

Now if only Nightwish would give us a BD Concert Release.

DeanoBKN

I was looking for the BR on release date but could only find the CD/DVD version...now I know why.

How much did it cost to import the BR?

candyrocket786

$40 shipped at Amazon.fr

I just ordered mine.

flashburn

I didn't even know this was out on Blu-ray. $40 is damn expensive, but it sure is tempting. Decisions, decisions.

candyrocket786

Considering that there is no US release scheduled and it's a Within Temptation Concert in HD, I decided to make an exception.

Just pretend it's a Fox Title.

bunkaroo

If anyone else is interested in getting this, here is a domestic source:

http://www.lasercd.com/ProductInfo.a...d=886973427095

They are a longstanding prog rock/metal vendor in NJ. They want $38, so it would probably be $42 or $43 shipped, but it's in the states so quicker shipping I imagine.

candyrocket786

Damn!

Wish I would've know about this vendor earlier.

I think my order from Amazon.fr already shipped.

juanmgonzalez

It doesn't take that long to get it from Amazon France - I've ordered items from them and got them in a decent amount of time considering they are shipping from France.

The only savings you'll get from this vendor in NJ is just getting it sooner.

It should be worth the wait - I also put my order in.

juanmgonzalez

Mine shipped out 11/3 from France and already received it

Brent L

What material on this release will and will not work on a US PS3?

candyrocket786

Disc 2 will not work on the PS3 since it's PAL.

The concert content from Disc 1 works great and sounds fucking awesome!!!!. I still need to try the extras on that disc.

Brent L

The second disc is a DVD though, right? If that's true then it should work in my normal DVD player, so I'm good on that.

I had some spare coin in PayPal and went ahead and ordered it from Amazon.fr last night. I know very little about the band, but reading the review and watching the trailer for the release has me excited to check it out.

candyrocket786

Correct, Disc 2 is a DVD. Disc 1 is a BD.

bunkaroo

I wouldn't be surprised if the DVD is PAL though - I haven't checked mine yet.

candyrocket786

Yeah the DVD (Disc 2) is PAL.