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Rating: 
Summary: A must-have, despite its flaws
Review: A Pleasant Shade of Gray is not quite suited to a day-outdoor-live setting. Furthermore, this is not a show that FW headlined, so the set-up and fans are not really geared towards FW. To make things worse, the recording and production quality is hugely dissapointing. Nevertheless, it is still essential to see these guys perform their tastefully complex material live so flawlessly. Unless you've been blessed with a chance to attend one of their concerts, this DVD is the only option. Actually, it's not optional - it's obligatory.Of course it doesn't deserve a 5 star rating with the major flaws mentioned above. But the musicianship on display should alone warrant a 4 star rating. I've given it 5 stars because the average rating based on the other reviews - although they are justifiable for the reasons already stated - is likely to mislead. The low average rating should not be allowed to turn people off from what is a must-have, despite its flaws. If FW ever release a live DVD of better recording and production quality, or a DVD covering one of their own shows, then I will have to lower the rating for this one accordingly. For now, this gets a high rating because it's the only live DVD of one of the best bands in the world and their playing does not dissapoint.
Rating:
Summary: A must-have, despite its flaws
Review: A Pleasant Shade of Gray is not quite suited to a day-outdoor-live setting. Furthermore, this is not a show that FW headlined, so the set-up and fans are not really geared towards FW. To make things worse, the recording and production quality is hugely dissapointing. Nevertheless, it is still essential to see these guys perform their tastefully complex material live so flawlessly. Unless you've been blessed with a chance to attend one of their concerts, this DVD is the only option. Actually, it's not optional - it's obligatory. Of course it doesn't deserve a 5 star rating with the major flaws mentioned above. But the musicianship on display should alone warrant a 4 star rating. I've given it 5 stars because the average rating based on the other reviews - although they are justifiable for the reasons already stated - is likely to mislead. The low average rating should not be allowed to turn people off from what is a must-have, despite its flaws. If FW ever release a live DVD of better recording and production quality, or a DVD covering one of their own shows, then I will have to lower the rating for this one accordingly. For now, this gets a high rating because it's the only live DVD of one of the best bands in the world and their playing does not dissapoint.
Rating: 
Summary: Sadly Disappointing
Review: Fate's Warning, in my opinion, are the most underrated band in the world. I will continue to buy anything they put out, just for a sheer love of the band. But, Metal Blade, I'm begging you, please put out a DVD worthy of this awesome band, they deserve much better! From what I hear, a video is in the works of the creation of the new CD, "Disconnected", including a reunion with Joe Dibiase and Frank Aresti, in the studio. Hopefully they will put it on DVD, and work a little harder on the production. I've given this release 2 stars, only because it's Fate's Warning on DVD, something I thought I would never see. I really wanted to give it a raving review but I can't. Sadly, it's lacking on many levels. I was very excited when I heard about it, and I never thought that Jim Matheos would sign off on a poorly produced product with the Fate's Warning name on it, but it appears that that's exactly what he did this time. So what's wrong with it? First off, the sound quality is poor. From a band like Fate's Warning I was expecting stellar surround sound, but what I got is poor stereo, with uneven separation. Second, the video is VHS quality, at best. At many points throughout the show, the colors bleed and it just looks bad. But worst of all, at many points throughout the show, the video and audio are not lined up properly. It's just not cool to hear a cymbal crash before the stick hits it, or hearing words come out of Ray Alder's mouth before he opens it! These things are unacceptable for VHS, not to mention DVD. As for the show itself, I believe it was recorded before "A Pleasant Shade of Gray" came out, or the band had a time limit, because a few of the songs are incomplete. The whole video is less than an hour long. Matheos never even pulls out his acoustic, which he did a few times throughout the show when I saw them on that tour. If you are a Fate's Warning fan, you may want this DVD to complete your collection, but be prepared. It's not up to the usual standards you have come to expect from the band. The lack of extras (none), and poor quality do not warrant this release on DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: only for desperate fanatics
Review: I had to check Amazon just now because I was worried something was wrong with my DVD player. It's that bad. The video crawls like one of the early mastered DVDs and the audio is very poorly recorded. I'm upsampling to 96 and it sounds like AM radio. Some instruments drown out others then adjust back down like the guy manning the board was intentionally trying to screw up the sound. Buy this last and then only if you're a total desperate fanatic. Still Life is an awesome concert CD and more worthy of your attention and funds than this DVD.
Rating:
Summary: only for desperate fanatics
Review: I had to check Amazon just now because I was worried something was wrong with my DVD player. It's that bad. The video crawls like one of the early mastered DVDs and the audio is very poorly recorded. I'm upsampling to 96 and it sounds like AM radio. Some instruments drown out others then adjust back down like the guy manning the board was intentionally trying to screw up the sound. Buy this last and then only if you're a total desperate fanatic. Still Life is an awesome concert CD and more worthy of your attention and funds than this DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must Have For True Fates Warning Fans!!!
Review: Please keep in mind that Fates Warning was NOT the headliners of this show, so they did not have fancy lighting, or good sound production. The video looks ok live in my opinion but watching Fates Warning play live is worth it in itself! These guys are so underrated and talented that all who watch will learn what real musicianship is all about! There are no special features and thier set is very short, but it is a must for true Fates Warning fans(like me)!
Rating:
Summary: QUALITY ? HELLO PRODUCER ??
Review: This video does a severe misjustice to one of the all time great progressive bands. Saying the sound quality is poor is a complement to this video. Video looks like it was filmed by a crew member with a camcorder. Love the band, hate the video. Forced myself to watch the whole thing once before I listed my copy on EBay.
Rating:
Summary: What were they thinking?
Review: This video does a severe misjustice to one of the all time great progressive bands. Saying the sound quality is poor is a complement to this video. Video looks like it was filmed by a crew member with a camcorder. Love the band, hate the video. Forced myself to watch the whole thing once before I listed my copy on EBay.
Rating:
Summary: QUALITY ? HELLO PRODUCER ??
Review: wow. after being a huge fan for about 10 years now, (since "point of view" was a featured video on headbanger's ball) i was extremely happy to see these guys perform live, but i was upset at the quality of this DVD, and the length. forget about bonus material... forget about 5.1 , or even halfway decent mixing... HOWEVER, any DVD with fates playing is welcome in my collection. i think they should've combined the "pleasant shade of grey" vid (VHS) on this DVD to be worth the price... ray alder is the man, as is mark zonder, and matheos. very nice guys, and even better (UNDER-RATED AS HELL) musicians. this isn't D.T. quality "scenes from NY", rather a "camcorder-esque" version of the DYNAMO open air fest with fates warning. ... production, weird sound morphing, but if you are a die-hard fan, buy it... i hear they are making another DVD, with studio footage from the disconnected sessions, and more... i can't wait!
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