TrialThere aren't many bands that have left such a lasting impression on the hardcore scene as Trial. They never got huge, they never signed a major label deal and they were lucky if they had 40-50 kids come out to see them during their hay day. But it didn't matter than and it doesn't matter now. It wasn't about the amount of people that listened to Trial, it was the amount of people that connected with Trial. All 800 people that packed into Neumos in Seattle, WA weren't casual fans, they were true diehards, many making a global trek to see the band that they so dearly love. Trial may have never gotten huge or made a splash in the mainstream but I would certainly bet money that they would've traded that in to be able to truly connect with just one person through the music and the lyrics. Call it bullshit if you will but I call it like I see it.
Out of all the reunions that hardcore bands have been making over the last couple of years, more often than not, it left me with a bitter taste in my mouth. It seemed like so many bands were trying to get their proverbial payday, but it just doesn't feel that way with these guys. It didn't feel that way when they announced the initial reunion, and watching this DVD in its entirety only reaffirmed my thoughts.
So what does this magical reunion/retrospective DVD contain? Quite a lot actually. This 2-disc DVD set includes well over 5 hours of footage. Appropriately, one disc is titled Retrospective and the other Reunion. The Retrospective DVD includes an awesome, and I do mean awesome hour plus interview with Timm and Greg with footage of old shows tastefully edited in. It was great to hear Greg and Timm talk about the formation and the growth of the band. Just by hearing Greg talk, you could tell how much Trial meant to him. I can definitely say I got the goose bumps throughout the interview (can't say that a lot!). And the incorporation of past show footage, dating back to 95', was done exceptionally well. Also included on the DVD are extras such as flyers, photos, and live show footage. The Retrospective DVD includes the reunion shows in Seattle and Budapest, Hungary in their entirety with some additional footage from the third reunion show in London. Of the two I would have to say that the show in Seattle was the most enjoyable to watch, not because the performance or crowd participation was any less in Budapest but simply because of the great sound quality for the Seattle set and the better camera work. And to cap off an already great package, there is a booklet that accompanies the case, which includes linear notes by the band.
Rating: 5/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: Entire Reunion set in Seattle and interview with Timm and Greg
Synopsis: I don't care how much this costs or where you have to get it, this thing is worth every single fucking penny! One of the few band related DVD's that actually gave me the goose-bumps while watching. There is 5 hours of material in all here, and there isn't any filler, whatsoever.
Trial MySpace
Panic Records Website