Crüxshadows
Album: Shadowbox
Release Date: July 2005
Available: http://www.isotank.com
Shadowbox is actually a DVD and a CD. 'Super bonus!' as they say in
cheesy anime movies. The DVD contains the entire footage of their
concert in Germany last year. They packed an abandoned airplane
hanger the size of five football fields so full, people were being
turned away at the doors. If you have ever seen the Crüxshadows
live in concert, even at a smaller venue, you can imagine what is must
have been like to be there. The energy really comes through on the
DVD, and the editing, while not perfect, is quite impressive. There
are also four music videos on the disc; my favorites are the newer
ones, "Dragonfly" and "Edge of the World". In addition, there are
interviews with the band, behind the scenes footage, and other fun
stuff.
The CD has 8 songs on it, which are mostly remixes. Original
versions of Dragonfly, ForeverLast, and Only Sleep appear, as well
as two remixes of "ForeverLast", one of "Dragonfly", and a remix
of "Helen" and "Edge of the World". Now I am a guy who normally
prefers the original versions of songs to remixes, but I have to
admit the version of "Dragonfly" by Conjour One is not bad at all. I
also like "ForeverLast [Night Version]". I could do without the
Skinny Puppy mix of "Edge of the World".
If you have never heard the Crüxshadows before, you may not fully
appreciate the DVD material. I recommend starting with Ethernaut or
Fortress of Flames, which are their two most recent CD releases.
Overall, I really like Shadowbox. I would not recommend it as an
introduction to the Crüxshadows, but if you are already a fan you
should certainly add Shadowbox to your collection.
By Cole Wellman
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