There are a lot of extreme metal bands out there, and most of them have the imagination and vision of a Channel 4 yoof presenter. Praise be then for Imperial Vengeance, a UK metal act, formed in 2007 by vocalist C. Edward Alexander and bassist David Bryan.
Instead of blabbing on a whole lot of keech about chicks 'n' Satan, Imperial Vengeance look back on the history of Britain, particularly the times of Empire and the two World Wars, hence the rather splendid garb they choose to wear. They released their debut album, "At The Going Down Of The Sun" in 2009, and the title track featured the now sadly deceased Harry Patch, the last surviving soldier from the Great War. Something you can see for yourself on this DVD, as it features film of the recording session.
This DVD is a precursor to their forthcoming album, "The Black Heart Of The Empire" which they aver will be a "nightmarish tapestry of opiate Victoriana and Kafkaesque atmospheres." Sold! Back on the DVD you get promo videos (with optional audio commentaries) for the album track '6th Airborne Division' and a mental as anything cover of the Madness tune 'Night Boat To Cairo'. Yes, really. The videos have been well executed and directed, and there's also loads of pictures, behind the scene footage, audio commentaries from the two main men, and the aforementioned Harry Patch feature.
It's an absolute delight from beginning to end, and this is The Sort Of Thing we should be encouraging in the world of metal. If only there were more people putting this kind of effort into producing work of value. Essential for fans, and worth a look for even non-metal types, I'm tipping my hat, as we speak.
