As far as Rock 'n' Roll icons go, there really are few that define the whole phenomena of music. Where the marraige of theatricality and Rock is concerned, there is none other than Alice Cooper. One scan at the audience and you realize that they have joined the show entirely by their costumes. They know the lyrics; they are a seamless part of the show. They are the ghoulish nurses, the face-painted maniacal minions with top hats, everyone as involved in the production as the production itself.
On the Theatre of Death album that combines the complete experience of the show with a DVD as well as the CD version, Alice Cooper reaches into a deep, 40-year bag of songs to satisfy even the most jaded of rockin' horror fans. Nearly every song is accompanied by a show that follows the "story" of the song. From the decades old "Ballad of Dwight Fry" that has Alice wrapped into a red strait jacket, to the "Go To Hell" song from his early solo work, where Alice is marched to a guillotine (an original prop of the band from the beginning) and is revived in Hell, to later works like "Guilty" and recent material like "Dirty Diamonds" Alice Cooper is in fine form.
The 16:9, Stereo/5.1 Surround (Dolby) DVD covers 90+ minutes of the December 6, 2009 HMV Hammersmith Apollo (UK) show. The songs are all well known classics that range from the opener/closer track, "School's Out," to "Billion Dollar Babies", from "No More Mr Nice Guy," to "I'm Eighteen" of the '70s best sellers. And from the wide timespan of his solo works that include early classics like "Only Women Bleed," "Welcome to My Nightmare," "Go To Hell," to the accumulated tracks like "From the Inside," Nurse Rozetta," and "Dirty Diamonds." But the show is scattered with other tracks from various stops along the way, songs like "Under My Wheels," "Is It My Body," "I Love The Dead," and "Poison." Yeah, there are a few missing gems here like "Elected," "Hello, Hooray," much of School's Out, and nothing from Muscle of Love, all of which contain more than enough theatrically-propped songs that would have worked just as well. And maybe Furnier incorporates these other songs during various stops. Regardless Theatre of Death is a fine look at the unique persona that is Alice Cooper, especially if you have never been to a show, past or present. The DVD show is great fun to enjoy. It doesn't matter your age as Alice Cooper has managed to keep the name and the music relevant throughout his decades-old career.
And when you want to take the show on the road, the included CD is perfect for that. The CD/DVD set adds a fold-out poster of the show, all of which makes Theatre of Death a ticket to one of the most unique Rock and Roll shows you'll ever witness. Needless to say, an Alice Cooper concert is more than just a concert. It is a well-oiled, freshly painted event that brings the classics of the old era when Alice Cooper was a band together with the gems that Alice Cooper - the persona - has assembled over the post-original band periods. This excellent look at a recent Alice Cooper show highlight all that Alice Cooper has worked to achieve. With the recent Hall of Fame nomination, Theatre of Death drives home the fact that no one has merged theatricality, elements of horror, and Rock and Roll better than Alice Cooper, the current stage persona, has. With that in mind, his election into the Hall should be a slamdunk. Theatre of Death underscores all of this.
I've just posted a review of the Theatre of Death DVD at my website, HeavyMetalHog.com. The concert presentation is most excellent as Alice and company are in top form. Check it out at: http://www.heavymetalhog.com/alice_cooper_theatreofdeath_DVD_review.html - GOD BLESS ALICE COOPER!!!
what a great concert dvd alice keep it comeing i love all the music
what a great concert dvd alice cooper i love all the music you came out with keep rocking
As I was at the show - the decades rolled away and it sound fresh as it ever did - it takes a master of writing to write timeless hits which are relevant today as they were 3 or 4 decades ago.
So far the only snippets I have seen of the show are excellent and definitely bring back memories of the night a well polished professional show - Roll on the Halloween special
well said
We went to the opening night of the Halloween Hootenay tour. It was fantastic (as usual). I love his shows. I took my daughter to her first and second Alice Cooper concert! People thought I was crazy but where else can you get such a show? His shows are always great and I don't have to censor any of his music. Had to explain a few things "were a little old for her yet" because she was eight the first time she saw him in concert. But it's all good- Who needs those teenage singers that push their clothes lines?
I was so excited for this DVD, I can't stand the fact that so many live albums recorded with bands featuring two guitar players only allow you to hear one. We hear Kerri Kelly perfectly through the whole show, and can't hear Damon Johnson at all. On songs like Department of Youth and Black Widow, they are almost ruined because you can't hear Johnson playing the rythm riff. You would think the recording engineer would be able to turn him up a bit. It was an amazing show, Alice is the greatest, the guy that mixed this album is an idiot. There are two guitar players in the band, we should be able to hear both. They both are important to the quality of the music.
Alice Cooper. The Man. The Legend. I have seen many Alice Cooper concerts, own most of his recordings, and have many videos. This is one that needs to join the collection. I was exposed, as a young lad, to Alice Cooper's Killer recording via 8-Track tape. My older brother played it constantly. My favorite song from that recording (I wasn't even a teenager yet) was Dead Babies. The funny thing is is that I knew that song was about child abuse. My brothers and I would hang out in a pool hall (that still is in business today) that had a jukebox and it seemed that every other song played was Elected. Then came the Welcome To My Nightmare period where the neighborhood kids would get together in the livingroom of one our neighbors and listen to the album, beginning to end. Not once mind you, but over and over again (must have had many hooks in those songs). Go To Hell came out and all I heard from my brothers was how great the concert was (The Tubes were also on the bill). Finally, my time arrived when From The Inside was releasesd. By this time I owned several Alice Cooper albums, but now I was old enough to see a show, and what a show. The Babys opened and then came Alice. I was hooked. Flush The Fashion, Special Forces, DaDa...I was there....Then something strange happened....I found myself trying to make it in the biz, not as a musician, but ROADIE!!!! That movie influenced a few of us. When Constrictor was releasesd I was back to my ****** Alice concerts. Raise Your Fist and Yell still holds a special spot. It was a wild night in San Berdo where I braved the crowd for about three songs at the front of the stage. Alice Cooper has been the soundtrack of my life. I congratulate Alice on his nomination to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, if he is bypassed, I would like to borrow the guillotine ("I have other uses for you darling.") Keep Rockin'