Live DVDs. How do we all actually feel about those? I mean for me, they are all good and great, but really is it as good as sitting in a stadium or standing on that barricade sweating and screaming and singing right along with your favorite band? Heck no its not. So, on September 16, I made my way out to go grab a copy of the new Avenged Sevenfold DVD 'Live in the LBC: Diamonds in the Rough'. I was hoping that at this point that I would have seen them live on September 11. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the show had to be postponed to a later date (See here).

I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to expect. I was looking forward the unreleased tracks that weren't included on their self-titled release last year. And those tracks honestly did not in any way disappoint me. Then it was time to settle myself down in front of the TV and pop in the DVD. Over the past little while, I've been lucky enough to see Avenged about 5 times, and each time the show blew me away. I was expecting some subpar camera action, catching bits and pieces of the excitement here and there. I expected it to be like every other Live DVD that I had sat down and watched a mute tribute to the live show. Unable to create the flow of excitement that comes with standing there right next to the AMP and the sound blasting through your ear. But what I watched was not what I was expecting.

As with all new DVD's I get I always tend to watch the extras, mostly for outtakes and just general silly stuff that will settle me more into the show that I'm about to watch. Now, Avenged didn't include too many extras, however, what was there proved to be worth it. On the recent Taste of Chaos Tour, it would seem the band had decided to film small one to two minute clips of them 'acting' out little skits before they took to the stage. They ranged greatly, from this one on our very own Canadian soil (Click ) to this one (Click).

Of course some of the intros made me laugh at the horrid attempt at acting and the fact that most times M. Shadows couldn't keep the grin off his face long enough to get through the bit. But overall, each one was entertaining. The most entertainment came from the encore video snippet, where you can't really understand what you they are laughing at, but you more than likely will laugh right along with them (Click). Of course the snippets are blanketed with appearances by Papa Gates, both of the Berry brothers, Papa Shadows and numerous other people, that I'm sure members of the Avenged community will recognize without even a second glance. It was after watching all these video snippets that I moved back to the main menu and decided to take a look at the full on concert. I hit play and sat back. First off, I just want to say whoever did the editing on this video, needs an award. The editing is magnificent. There are certain sections where the frame is actually slowed down slightly, so you are watching a jump from Matt, or a head shake, or a guitar strum in slow motion. It brings out something epic, and makes me enthralled in what I'm watching. I enjoyed the close ups on both Synyster Gates and Zacky V's hands as they played guitar, showing their fingers working overtime to keep up with the chords and rifts of the music.

I have to say, that I was hooked from the first song that they played. I don't usually sit on the edge of my seat for live DVD's, but this one, my butt was firmly planted on the edge as I sang along with every song they belted out, from the newer songs like Critical Acclaim and Scream to the older ones like Second Heartbeat and Unholy Confessions. They did a great mix of songs from the self-titled release and from City Of Evil. During their performance of Walk, Matt picked a member of the audience to come up on stage with them and actually sing the song. Usually, it these parts of the DVD or any live show that I hate and detest. I have to admit; the guy picked had some genuine talent and was able to take on the Pantera song with ease. I watched him stomp around the stage like he belonged there. After he did a portion of the song, he was escorted to watch the rest of the show from the side of the stage. I think any Avenged fan can appreciate that kind of 'niceness' from the band. Overall, the energy that you feel from the crowd and the band just from watching the DVD is utterly amazing. I want to say there are 'cute' moments, but I don't think cute is something you want to apply to Avenged Sevenfold. But nonetheless, there were 'cute' moments in the video, with the guy interacting with each other. You get to see Synyster Gates being his natural goofy self. You get to see numerous back to back guitar playing from Zacky V and Gates. Johnny Christ marches around the stage caring his bass like he was born to be doing it (which of course, we all know he was). The Rev pounds back on the drums, with flames and lights behind him. I have to say watching the effort The Rev puts into his drumming amazes me. I could honestly sit for hours and just watch him on the drums, therefore this is where you will hear my only complaint about the whole DVD, there wasn't enough front on shots of Jimmy playing the drums. I mean I know it probably wasn't possible (I'm not sure), but I would have liked to see more. Then you have M. Shadows running back and forth the stage and belting/screaming out the lyrics to all the songs. You have the perfect mix of crowd shots and angles of the camera from the crowd pointing onto the stage. You get to see some of the fans in all their glory as they rock out and toss their bodies into each other.

I would have to say, if you are a fan of Avenged Sevenfold, or even someone curious as to how their live shows are, check out this DVD, it will be worth the purchase.