Rock fans are surely going to feast on this two disc DVD pack on Queen. And what’s more with Queen’s latest album ‘The Cosmos Rocks’ released this month, it’s a double whammy for fans.  

The concert held on November 24 and 25, 1981 at Montreal’s 18,000 seater Forum was scheduled specifically to make a full length film of their live show. As would be expected of Queen, they took the form of the concert film to a new level, becoming the first group to shoot an entire show in full cinema format 35 mm. On the main menu you can also choose between the main concert or watching Brian May and Roger Taylor bringing you the story up to date with a brand new audio commentary of the Montreal concert playing in the background. The DVD also has a four page leaflet with snapshots from the video.

On this 96 minute and 25 track concert DVD recorded in Stereo, Farrokh or Faridus Bulsara aka Freddie Mercury, a Mumbai Parsi boy who was way beyond the ordinary and the focal point of attention, showcases his stage presence to such an extent that you get the impression that the music was an extension of the person he was. His wide mouthed vocals coupled with offbeat good looks and the most outspoken set of teeth ever to have found their way on to a pop fans wall is omnipotent on this set. His dress sense is another thing altogether. On stage his attire was shirtless with long white pants, a black belt and at other times shirtless again with short white pants. His bushy moustache and trimmed hair was iconic to say the least. One also cannot miss out on May’s guitar work and his guitar in particular. Taylor’s impressive drumming and Deacon’s bass were another asset to Queen.

The band was pretty much successful from the very beginning and it was their live performances that garnered more attention wherever they went. The band springs to action giving you ‘The Works’ (1984) well literally. While you have all the Queen tracks like Bohemian Rhapsody, the boisterous We will rock you to We are the champions, Play the Game, Somebody to love, Love of my life, Crazy little thing called love, Another one bites the dust among others, fans will sorely miss other anthems like Radio ga ga, I want to break free, A Kind of Magic, One Vision to Freddie’s solo The Great Pretender that have been missed out of their play list.

Disc 2 re - mastered for DTS Surround Sound and PCM Stereo has much more attractions in the form of their 1985 Live Aid performance held in Wembley on 13^th July which was voted the best live rock performance where in 20 minutes the band performed some of heir best rock anthems. There are also rehearsal shots and a short interview with the whole band, besides a chapter that has a TV inteview. All this reminds you of the band that was, still is and still makes music that rocks. The music world was rocked 10 years later after this was recorded, when Freddie Mercury left for his heavenly abode on 24^th November 1991 (5^th September 1946 – 24^th November 1991) succumbing to AIDS.

Queen was formed in London sometime in 1972. It was a very strong name which had gay connotations and knowingly it remained as it was. The band developed out of a college outfit, Smile – a heavy rock trio which featured Brian May on guitars, Roger Taylor on drums and a bassist / vocalist called Tim Sufell. The final lineup happened after May and Taylor recruited one of their college friends Freddie Mercury on vocals and John Deacon on bass.

There is no doubt that Queen was a great band with great tracks to listen to, dynamite on stage and a treat to watch. Surely no chance to burn the dust.

 -- Reviewed by Verus Ferreira