Final Countdown Tour: Live in Sweden 1986

Europe

Overview

The Final Countdown tour comes to Hammersmith Odeon in London, now fans who may not have been able to attend that historical show in person can finally find out just what it was like to witness Europe in their prime with a hard-rocking live performance featuring such classics as "Carrie", "On Broken Wings", "Rock the Night, and, of course, "The Final Countdown".

Product Details

Release Date:	12/05/2006
UPC:	0022891455196
Original Release:	2006
Source:	MVD VISUAL
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:55:00

Special Features

20th anniversary interviews with band members made in 2006; Picture gallery; Biography; The band revisiting the Final Countdown recording studio

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Europe

Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Editorial Reviews

Final Countdown Tour: Live in Sweden 1986 is a solid "20th Anniversary Edition" recorded May 26 and 27, 1986 in Stockholm. It's the youthful, each member circa 22 years of age, band in their prime just as their debut hit was about to launch worldwide. Sounding like a cross between Aerosmith and prog rock group Asia (would the casual listener know the difference between who was singing Asia's "Heat of the Moment" or Europe's "The Final Countdown"? ) they project the hard rock image of Steven Tyler and company visually while generating a slick and very '80s sound. The youthful group is highly energetic here, make no mistake, and they are as in-tune and precise as any MTV video from that era. It's a very solid product by a band of professionals working hard at their craft song by song. "On the Loose" is as well played -- and predictable -- as "Cherokee," meaning they don't disappoint, but there is no element of surprise. What is really intriguing is that clips from their Live from the Dark double-DVD/CD recorded eight years later in 1994 appear under the "Also Available" portion of the bonus track section. Seeing the more mature band rock out is a revelation, they became artists with more stage intuition and a more gritty approach. That also makes having both DVDs essential for fans of the group as these are real snapshots of a tight outfit that delivered what they promised. Bonus material also includes a three-page bio, photo gallery around 30 minutes of interview footage with the band including nuggets like the fact that they approached producers Dieter Dierks and Bruce Fairbairn before Kevin Elson was brought onboard and revealing commentary on their years in the biz as well as a short but very interesting documentary filmed by drummer Ian Haugland titled "The Band Back at the Scene of the Crime" where they revisit Powerplay recording studios in Switzerland where they cut early demos as well as The Final Countdown album. For Europe fans, this is an absolute must; for the average rock & roller, it is interesting and worth a spin or two. ~ Joe Viglione