The queen of metal, Doro Pesch returns with a live album, 3 DVD, and 2 Blu-Ray named “Strong and Proud”, a proper box to celebrate 30 years of career, performing live during 2013 and 2014, touring the world extensively for a year and by playing three official anniversary shows.
The tour kicked off impressively in front of 85,000 people at the world’s biggest metal festival, Wacken Open Air, followed by two sold-out nights in her hometown, Dusseldorf, where she also started her outstanding career. Focusing first on the audio cd, we have 14 strong live versions of some of the innumerous classics of this talented performer, counting with the usual energy, presence and guests to give that special touch to the songs, taking them to another level. We can find fast tracks that will surprise the listener for their hard kicking feeling live like “On the Run”, “Save My Soul”, “Raise Your First”, “Revenge”, and “Hellbound”.
The guest list is pure ecstasy to the ears, as we could hear in the covers of Iron Maiden “Fear of the Dark” with Blaze Bayley, Dio “Egypt (The Chains are On)” with Chris Caffery on guitar, and Accept “Balls To the Wall” with Udo Dirkschneider. There’s also guests in the classics of Doro like “Rock Till Death” with HansiKursch, and“Fur Immer” with Uli Jon Roth. The live cd ends with “You’re My Family”, and the Warlock classic “All We Are”. Moving to the 3 DVD’s, the first DVD is the 30 years anniversary show, live atWacken Open Air, counting with the Wacken Anthem “We Are the Metalheads”, “East Meets West” feat. Chris Boltendahl, a cover of Judas Priest “Breaking the Law” with Phil Campbell, and the classic “All We Are” feat. Eric Fish, JoakimBrodén and CorvusCorax.
Then we have a 30 years anniversary show classic night, with Udo Dirkschneider appearing on the tracks “Princess of the Dawn” (cover of Accept), and “Dancing With an Angel” (a participation that Doro did with Udo in his solo career). There’s also tracks in ballad form like “Touch of Evil”, “Above the Ashes”, “Hero”, and a cover of Lordi “Hard Rock Hallelujah” with Lordi also on vocals. Finally, a 30 years anniversary show rock night, with a lot of strong live recordings from where it stands out “Running From the Devil”, “East Meets West” feat. Sabina Classen, “Bad Blood” feat. Lordi, “Denim And Leather” cover of Saxon feat. Biff Byford, and “Burn It Up”.
The second DVD has a documentary named “Behind The Curtain, Inside The Heart Of Doro”, and the third DVD has a Bonus Concert Movie, with a lot of surprises and collaborations for the listener to discover. The blu-rays have all the features of the DVD’s but with higher quality, something that it’s present in all items of this package, not only in the stunning amount of material, but also in the recorded live performances that give a complete retrospective of a career full of hits, and great memories.
This is perfect for someone who wants to discover Doro, and for the long time listeners as well.
