Review of Between the Buried and Me - "Future Sequence: Live at the Fidelitorium" DVD

MID-MAJOR MAYHEM

By: Geoff Teach

Between the Buried and Me’s members are no strangers to writing long, complicated pieces that purposely blend into each other to form one epic composition. In 2007, the North Carolina progressive metal quintet released “Colors” (Victory Records), and for the first time in their careers, they had crafted an album where not only were the songs monstrously heavy, intricate, and stunning, but they were also all melded into each other by bridges, interludes, and ditties. The resulting clamor and awe displayed by their fans in response to the effort caused the band to plan and execute one of their most memorable events to date. The band put out the word on their website that they would return to their home state and play a show for their fans, but not only would the band play “Colors” in its entirety (an incredible feat unto itself given the album’s sixty-five plus minute length), but they would also play an encore set that the fans could vote on the website for the songs which BTBAM would play. What’s more, they would also film and record the entire affair for a special CD/DVD release, “Colors Live” (Victory Records, 2008). The CD/DVD combo was so successful, many fans and critics mark its release as the major turning point for the band in both their songwriting and their popularity. Ultimately, though, the most amazing aspect of the entire situation was the fact that Between the Buried and Me’s “Colors Live” showed without any iota of a doubt that the outfit was a force to be reckoned with when playing live, as they performed the album immaculately and with a fantastic stage presence. In all, “Colors Live” declared loud and clear that not only could Between the Buried and Me write a killer album, but they could also kill it live.

Fast forward to four years later, and Between the Buried and Me re-entered the studio to record their seventh full-length album, “The Parallax II: Future Sequence” (Metal Blade Records, 2012). Upon its release, fans and critics alike came to discover that not only was “Parallax II” absolutely mind-blowing in its execution and production, but it was also an interstellar saga with characters, a plot line, a climax, and an ending. In essence, the prog metal act had released its first rock opera, and to say that the global metal community was turned on its ear would be a massive understatement. Fans and critics alike gushed with admiration and applause for the twelve track, continuous opus. As a result, BTBAM hit the road and began touring to support the album, first venturing out in direct support for Meshuggah on their 25th anniversary tour, and then taking the reins as headliners for their own U.S. tour (with The Faceless, The Contortionist, and The Safety Fire supporting) where they performed “Parallax II” in its entirety every night. Fanatics of the band, including yours truly, turned out in droves and sold out nearly every venue to catch the wickedly good lineup, but every night, the highlight of the evening would be when Between the Buried and Me took the stage and played their finest work, front to back, as the crowd sang along, moshed, and took in some of the best progressive metal ever written performed by one of the best progressive metal bands to ever grace a stage.

Finally, after touring nearly every continent in 2013 and early 2014, Between the Buried and Me returned home to the States and toured the country one last time with Deafheaven, Intronaut, and The Kindred, and though they did not play “Parallax II” in its entirety this time around, they still peppered the set with the albums biggest hits like “Lay Your Ghosts to Rest”, “Bloom”, and “Silent Flight Parliament”. Upon completion of the tour, the band decided that it was time to put the old aside and begin to concentrate on writing new material...but not before giving their 2012 masterstroke one last hoorah for their faithful listeners. In the summer of 2014, the band booked time at The Fidelitorium Studio in Kernersville, NC, and invited a camera crew, a host of classical musicians, and their favorite producer to come and mix and record the whole ensemble performing “The Parallax II: Future Sequence” for a home video. Two weeks ago, “Future Sequence: Live at the Fidelitorium” (Metal Blade Records) hit store shelves, and now that I have had a chance to view the Blu Ray version in all its splendor and glory, I feel compelled to tell you, my beloved readers, that this video captures the band’s prowess marvelously. The music is live and unedited, with all its little differences and warts in its live performance (as compared to the perfection of the album), and the end result is one that is intimately beautiful and emphatically jaw-dropping. All of the talent, creativity, intensity, and excellence of Between the Buried and Me is on full display on “Live at the Fidelitorium”, and if you are at all intrigued by live music that takes you on a trip through all of the violence, beauty, and vastness of the cosmos, then I distinctly encourage you to purchase a copy for yourself, and enjoy the genius of “The Parallax II: Future Sequence” performed by the band live, in its entirety, one last time. Between the Buried and Me have already begun the pre-production process for recording new material that is set to be due out in 2015, and though it is finally time for the band to move into the new, at least those of us who receive goose bumps when listening to these marvelous musicians can have this video of their now “old” material to treasure forever and to savor whenever our hearts desire. So go grab a copy today and enjoy!

Keep it metal, class dismissed!

To watch Between the Buried and Me’s performance of “Extremophile Elite” from “Future Sequence: Live at the Fidelitorium”, just press play below!