TYPE O NEGATIVE „“Dead Again” Special Edition Bonus DVD”

Music: Goth/Punk/Doom
Country: U.S.A.
Web site: www.typeonegative.net/
Cool Features: Videos, Interviews, Live from Wacken

Last year, humorous gloom and doom merchants, TYPE O NEGATIVE released their seventh studio full-length, “Dead Again.” The said album wavered little from their trademark doom/punk/goth with a Lewis Black sort of commentary. They also released a video for the track “The Profits of Doom,” which has received much airtime on the Headbangers Ball.

Possibly, to keep up with illegal downloaders, a year later the group has re-released this album with bonus features. One buyer option includes a digipack package with a bonus DVD. The more serious TYPE O collector can snag a box set edition, containing three red vinyl LPs, bonus DVD, twelve-page booklet and t-shirt. Both options contain a red colored album cover, a change from the original green.

The DVD was a choice bonus. It includes around an hour worth of footage. The first segment shows the band in prime form in front of a massive audience at Wacken ‘07. As part of this godly venue, Peter and the boys play thirty minutes worth of music sampled throughout their glorious career. “Love you to Death,” Christian Woman,” “Anesthesia” and “Kill You Tonight” comprise the set list. The footage is superb, TYPE O’s sound is right on, and as always, TYPE O treats the fans to more shenanigans. Decked out in priest garb and honoring the TYPE O color scheme of radioactive green and black, Peter Steele blesses the audience with his bottle of wine.

Next, the group treats viewers to a series of three interviews. The first interview involves the band sitting along the wall of a bricked building. The second portion is a solo effort with Peter Steele and the third features keyboardist, Josh, taking the viewer on a tour of Coney Island, which seems warranted considering Josh’s taciturn approach on the band interview.

Interview segments are a prime forum for TYPE O’s famous sense of humor. One of the best parts of the band portion shows them recounting tales of life on the road with PANTERA and their on-stage food and toilet paper fights. Josh fills his segment with colorful comments on the state of Coney Island. He asks a carnie where he can get crack, buys a patron a ticket to ride Coney Island’s colossal roller coaster and makes more comments about scoring crack rock and muggings.

The latest additions to TYPE O NEGATIVE’s video library include “The Profits of Doom” and “September Sun.” “The Profits of Doom” contains many of the facets associated with TYPE O NEGATIVE, goth guitar riffs mixed with chugging sludge and doom, varied vocal styles, and the infectious chorus line, “My soul’s on fire.” The video tells a story of the group meeting for an extravagant feast. The group conspires to kill Steele, poisoning his wine. “September Sun” depicts the softer side of the band, bringing to mind the vibe contained on “October Rust.” Even though the actress on this video is smokin’ hot, the love story and piano parts come across a tad cheesy.

As stated before, “Dead Again” varies little from the path TYPE O NEGATIVE has walked in the last few years. If you enjoyed the last couple of releases from this classic group and have yet to pick up “Dead Again,” the bonus edition is the way to go. Even if you already have the original copy, the collector aspect of the box set and the DVD that comes with both is definitely a must have.

note: 8/10

Tracklist

-Live at Wacken
1. Anesthesia
2. Christian Woman
3. Love You to Death
4. Kill You Tonight
-Interviews
-Videos
1. The Profits of Doom
2. September Sun

Line-up

Peter Steele – Bass, vocals, additional guitar and keyboards
Kenny Hickey – Guitar, backing vocals
Johnny Kelly – Drums, backing vocals
Josh Silver – Keyboards, backing vocals