In many ways, a flashback to a different era: foreign bands releasing CDs/DVDs (remember those?) of shows in even more exotic locales. Now everything goes to YouTube, instantly. The universality of metal sees Brazilian power metallers (hardly a household word on the global stage) playing a 2011 gig at a standing room only theater in Tokyo, Japan. The energetic 17 song performance is captured on both aural and visual media, although a trio found on the accompanying DVD is missing from the CD: ‘Millennium Quest’, ‘Sea Of Revenge’ and the wisely omitted ‘I Feel No Bliss’.

Multiple cameras and a drum-cam are employed, with differing degrees of clarity and quality. The long range, full stage shots possess a darker, more painting than photography imagery. Likeable lot, but after a few songs, you’ve really seen it all: bald, high-pitched camo shorts wearing singer Iuri Sanson being the most animate, surrounded by expressive drummer Eduardo Baldo, plenty of hair flailing, headbanging and hammer-on heavy, twin guitar melodies. A purposeful, shaken camera effect is utilized on the catchy ‘Welcome To The Horror Show’. Can get an excellent overview of the band (especially since this is available at a domestic price), but sadly there’s no interview or background info. The only bonus is a promotional video for ‘Shoot Me Down’, although during the encore, black & white footage of the pre-game ritual, signing session and band boarding the shinkansen (“bullet train”) are included. Afterwards, there’s a brief look into the dressing room, hugs all around.

At times, the video quality noticeably seems to have been squished, either from PAL format to NTSC or from widescreen to pre-digital Americanized TV ratio. The speedy tracks, like ‘Defying The Rules’, ‘The Shelter’s On Fire’, ‘Tiger Punch’ and ‘Steel Lord On Wheels’ work best. ‘Blinded By Truth’ sees Iuri jump into the photo pit, slapping hands with those who aren’t pogoing vertically. During ‘The Skull Collectors’ the stage is dark, with green highlights. Since 99% of North American metalheads will probably never have the chance to see HIBRIA live, this is the next best thing.