On May 30, 2015, iconic rockers Twisted Sister played to a packed house at the Joint at the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas. Just two months prior to the show, the band suffered a tragic blow with the unexpected death of drummer A.J. Pero. They went on with the show dedicating the concert to the late drummer’s memory. Legendary drummer Mike Portnoy was brought in to handle drumming duties and this memorable evening was captured on film for the first in a “Metal Meltdown” series of DVDs.
Directed by Brian Lockwood and produced by Barry Summers, the film is an action packed ride through Twisted’s live show. On the stage is where Twisted Sister really shines and the DVD does a good job of capturing their boundless energy and rock and roll attitude. With thousands of shows under their belt, the band really knows how to work the crowd as Dee and company run through a set packed with power house hits including their iconic rock classic “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” Throughout the film, the visuals are stunning and the audio is a sonic pleasure. One of the most emotional moments occurs during an A.J. Pero drum solo as the late drummer’s solo is played on large screens at the rear of the stage. Also included is a documentary entitled “Rockshow” which tells the story of the band’s early years as well as an audio CD.
“Metal Meltdown” is a nicely done concert film capturing an emotional performance from one of rock and roll’s best live bands. If you’ve never seen the band live, this collection will give you some insight into what you have been missing all these years. If you’ve been lucky enough to catch them on tour, the DVD will bring back many Twisted memories to enjoy. With its debut at #1 on the Billboard charts, there is no doubt that fans have “stayed hungry” for Twisted Sister.
