Epidemia - Hroniki Sumerek - 10 Let Puti (DVD) (2006)CD-Maximum

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Epidemia's activity, they played a 3-hour show in the Gorbunov Community Centre in Moscow on December 2nd, 2005. "Hroniki Sumerek - 10 Let Puti" ("Twilight Chronicles - 10-Year Path") is the first part of the DVD material published one year after the concert.

That evening Epidemia appeared in the following line-up: Maxim Samosvat (vocal), Yuriy Melisov (guitar), Ilya Mamontov (guitar), Dmitriy Krivenkov (drums), Dmitriy Ivanov (keys) and a new bassist Ivan Izotov (Mechanical Poet, Manic Depression, Oleg Mishin, Weeds In Vogue, Festerguts). They invided some guests like Grigoriy Strelkov (backing vocals) as well as a few Epidemia's former members like Ilya Knyazev (bass guitar), Pavel Okunev (sang in "Volya K Zhizni"), Pavel Bushuev (guitar) and Roman Valeryev (keys) who played alongside the band in "Koltso Vsevlastiya". The framework of the DVD consists of 16 tracks plus 2 acoustic bonuses ("Feniks" and "Proschay, Moy Dom"). Epidemia played the tracks from all their works: "Feniks" (demo) (1), "Volya K Zhizni" EP (4), "Na Krayu Vremeni" (5), "Zagadka Volshebnoy Strany" (3) and "Elfiyskaya Rukopis" (1).

The concert starts from a great idea that consists in directing the lights to every musician appearing on stage. It's a great form of the band's presentation, the more so because it is done during a fantastic introduction "Vrata Vremeni". I won't describe every single track separately, since it would be pointless. I want to write about my general impressions. First of all, I'd like to mark that we get a very close reproduction of tracks taken from the studio albums. The band is with a great touch with the audience. Fans' reactions to their music are spontaneous, but they are very polite during the gig, haha. I am really impressed with musician's unconstrained playing and guitar solo exchanges between Melisov and Mamontov. They look extremely happy playing the music, and it just goes to show that they are artistically sincere. I can't forget about Krivenkov's solid drum solo, however I'd like to focus your attention on Ilya Mamontov's solo part. If you think that he plays it furiously and extremely fast, you are wrong. His solo is very calm nad nostalgic in a sense. He proves that virtuosity needn't be speedy! Superb! Generally, Epidemia is a very composed group playing live. Yuriy Melisov is much more focused on playing, however Ilya Mamontov is a little more crazy. Undoubtedly, all of them are very modest, but it proves that most brilliant people are humble and servile in a sense. That's why they are great!

As for technical issues, I have no accusations, since takes are perfect, lights' play is balanced, and the sound is as pure as the driven snow! It is worth noting that many people sing along with Maxim Samosvat what means that the band is really respected in their fatherland, not to mention Maxim is one of the greatest vocalists in Russian metal music ever! As a bonus, we get takes from rehearsals and preparations for the anniversary concert (take note of their great sense of humour!), drinking spree on a train, gig in Saint Petersburg, greetings from the Epidemia's fan club to all the musicians on stage and numerous photos taken from the gig. You can also learn about something what is not visible on the second part of the DVD, namely Dmitriy Borisenkov's fall into the stage hole where a cameraman shoots the gig! Fortunately, he survived! I can only add that this DVD shows the Russian power metal combo in their top form! Highbrow music!