The DVD Collection

Twisted Sister - Live at Wacken-The Reunion (Eagle Vision) 2005

Words cannot express how pumped I was when I found out Twisted Sister were going to do the formal reunion and a complete tour. Yes, yes, I know I am a 37 year old Twisted Sister geek, but hey what can I say! I grew up on these guys! "Live At Wacken" offers fans almost anything they could want in a reunion concert DVD. The entire concert is included in it's entirety and there is a ton of interview footage for those craving to know who is who and what is what, etc. I personally found the "Old School Returns" interview amusing as the guys tried on the make-up again for the first time in two decade. However, as a fan, I wouldn't want it any other way. I mean this is Twisted Sister! They did everything to the excess, including the make-up. Anything less just wouldn't be acceptable. The concert itself is excellent and the band comes off as if they hadn't ever stopped playing together. Twisted Sister were on of the biggest bands in the world at one time, and they look like it again at this show in front of 40,000 screaming, jumping, fist throwing SMF's. On top of the DVD we are given a live CD titled "Live...Past & Present" which includes rare recordings of the band early one and some of the songs from the Wacken concert. As a bonus there is addition footage of the making of "Still Hungry" and a photo slide show of the New York Steel show, that was a benefit show for families of the 9/11 victims in NYC. Now the only thing left is for this Twisted Sister fan to get to see them on the reunion tour. Thankfully I have tickets to see them in September in Tuscon, AZ! I can't wait!

Twisted Sister - The Video Years (Rhino) 2007

1. "It's Only Rock 'N' Roll (But I Like It)" [live]
2. "You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll"
3. "We're Not Gonna Take It"
4. "I Wanna Rock"
5. "The Price"
6. "Leader Of The Pack"
7. "Be Chrool To Your Scuel"
8. "Hot Love"
9. "The Kids Are Back" [live]
10. "We're Not Gonna Take It" [live]
11. "I Wanna Rock" [live]
12. "Under The Blade" [live]
13. "The Beast" [live]
14. "You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll" [live]
15. "The Price" [live]
16. "Stay Hungry" [live]
17. "Burn In Hell" [live]
18. "S.M.F." [live]

An excellent DVD collection that includes all Twisted Sister's music videos up and through "Love is For Suckers". Also includes the MTV Special - Stay Hungry concert. Between each song the band members comment on the video and that period in Twisted Sister history. Also includes comments by Lemmy Killmister (Motörhead) and actor Mark Metcalf (who played the father and the teacher in music videos 'I Wanna Rock' and 'We're Not Gonna take it'). Lemmy, as well as former Motörhead guitarist Brian Robertson make guest appearances on stage with Twisted Sister in the historic "It's Only Rock 'N' Roll (But I Like It)" video. This was big appearance on British TV in 1984 that helped break them into the mainstream there. I've not found any hidden or bonus footage. If anyone else finds anything, please let me know.

Twisted Sister - A Twisted Christmas Live (Razor & Tie Entertainment) 2007

1. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
2. "Shoot 'Em Down"
3. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"
4. "The Fire Still Burns"
5. "You Can't Stop Rock & Roll"
6. "White Christmas"
7. "The Price"
8. "Oh Come All Ye Faithful"
9. "I'll Be Home For Christmas"
10. "Burn In Hell/drum solo"
11. "Silver Bells"
12. "I Wanna Rock"
13. "Heavy Metal Christmas (The Twelve Days Of Christmas)"
14. "We're Not Gonna Take It
BONUS MATERIAL
15. "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" [music video]
16. "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" [animated video]
17. "Heavy Metal Christmas (The Twelve Days Of Christmas)" [In-Studio Performance]
18. Interview
19. Mendoza's Choir

A companion piece to the "A Twisted Christmas" CD. This live performance was recorded at the Starland Ballroom in NJ, USA. The stage is decked out in twinkle lights, big red bows and garland. The performance starts out with Dee Snider in a Santa suite, that stays on him for about half the song before it's torn off. The band then shoots through a mixture of the Twisted Sister's heavy metal Christmas songs and some of their classic songs. On stage the band looked like they were just having a blast. The camera work throughout is good with plenty of close-ups of all members, full stage shots and some audience shots as well. Since I had read the set list long before this DVD was released, I was a bit disappointed to see that "S.M.F." was left off. I suppose this was done to keep this disc "family friendly". However, I am not sure why "Stay Hungry" was left off. As well, Dee seems awful quiet between each song, which is uncharacteristic of him. I think it's more likely, since there are fades between some songs, that Dee's banter has been cut out. However, his introduction to "I Wanna Rock" is priceless! In addition to to the live performance there are several bonus feature, the best of which is the "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" music video. In the classic Twisted Sister tradition, this video features a story line that is tongue in cheek, yet without making a mockery of a classic Christmas song. I suppose if someone didn't enjoy the "A Twisted Christmas" CD, they probably wouldn't enjoy this DVD either. However, being the Twisted Sister fanatic I am, and also enjoying the Sister's manic take on these classic Christmas carols, I like it. It'll be one of those DVDs I pull out each Christmas season for a view, not unlike A Christmas Story, It's A Wonderful Life and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Gotta love tradition. (Thanks MetalGuy71)

Unfortunately I was never able to see Twisted Sister on the '06 Twisted Christmas tour, but a good friend did see them and picked me up a t-shirt. (Thanks Trog) Wore it for on Christmas Day 2007.

Twisted Sister - Live At The Astoria (Demus) 2008

1. "What You Don't Know (Sure Can Hurt You)" (5:00)
2. "The Kids Are Back" (2:48)
3. "Under The Blade" (4:44)
4. "Destroyer" (4:19)
5. "Like A Knife In The Back" (2:43)
6. "Burn In Hell" (5:27)
7. "Ride To Live" (3:43)
8. "Shoot 'Em Down" (3:11)
9. "You Can't Stop Rock N' Roll" (4:21)
10. "The Fire Still Burns" (3:09)
11. "We're Not Gonna Take It" (3:56)
12. "The Price" (4:38)
13. "I Am, I'm Me" (4:21)
14. "I Wanna Rock" (8:56)
15. "Come Out & Play" (5:31)
16. "S.M.F." (6:42)

See review on CD page.

Twisted Sister - From the Bars to the Stars (Eagle) 2011

The first ever Twisted Sister box set, and it's a DVD box set. The set includes the exclusive "Twisted Xmas: Live in Las Vegas" DVD, along with four other live DVDs; "Live At Wacken", "Live At Reading", and "Double Live", which includes "North Stage '82", as well as "NY Steel '01". The later four had been released in various forms before. There is also some fun extras including a Christmas ornament, an official NY Steel backstage pass, a reproduction of of the band's classic 2 ½-inch early 80's pin, and a reproduction of the first ever SMF fan club letter.

The two '82 concerts are worth the price of admission alone. Both these shows are stellar, showing a band that was young and hungry for success. The performance is tight and the songs are heavy and fast. Twisted Sister were a machine in 1982. The "North Stage" show was suppose to be the band's last club performance before they headed out to Europe to record their first album, "Under the Blade". It includes all the "Under the Blade" classics as well as early fan favorites like "Lady's Boy", "Rock 'N' Saviors" and "You Know I Cry". There is also their classic, super-charged, ultra-heavy cover of the Stones "It's Only Rock and Roll". The DVD also includes some recent video footage of the band reminiscing about this show.

The NY Steel '01 show capture the band's reunion benefit concert. The show was part of a fundraiser to benefit the families of the firefighters and police officers who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in NYC. Eddie Trunk sput together a fundraising concert to benefit the families of the firefighters and police officers who lost their lives at the World Trade Center. The band hadn't performed together for 14 years at this point, with some members still quite angry with other members. Howevever, they put their personal beefs aside to work for the greater good and they sound great. On top of the usual concert favorites, the band pulls out some local fan favorites including "Come Back" and "You Know I Cry". The DVD also includes some intense interview footage about the show and the band's thoughts on the terrorist attacks.

The exclusive Chrsitmas show is a nice addition, but frankly, it's the two '82 shows and the NY Steel '01 show that make this package worthwhile. The DVD collection is a nice travel through the history of Twisted Sister, though it's odd that no "Stay Hungry"-era shows were included. Still, a nice set with some excellent live footage.