Decent, Except for Taproot
i have seen disturbed and chevelle in concert before and knew what to expect. Disturbed sounds just like they do on disk (which is good actually, because they sound good on disk). Chevelle and Unloco are also ok (Unloco broke up. Just thought you needed to know that.) Taproot sucks. No, I mean, that's why the rating is only 3-- because i had to sit through the couple songs they had on here wondering "Who would ever give these guys a record deal?"
Anyway, Dehumanized is a really good song and unreleased. I bought it without the DVD part so I can't tell you about that. Sorry. I am cheap.

Just as good live
I have always heard that Disturbed is a great band when performing live. Now I see why. Disturbed sounds just as good live as they do on their albums. Disturbed comes across very strong when playng live. However, I was a little disappointed. Most of thier songs sounded just the same they do on their two albums. They really didn't make any effort to deviate from their own norm. I was expecting them to change things around a little bit, but they didn't. The songs and their performance (DVD) was merely routine. I did enjoy their collaboration with the other bands on this album though. The other bands performed nicely. They threw their energy out there and had a great time on stage, which makes it a very enjoyable experience for those who spent their hard earned money to go and see them. Overall, it is a good CD and I would buy it again. "Fade to Black" is definitely worth buying the CD for. Metallica couldn't have asked for anybody better to remake their song.

Great first live disc for Disturbed
Even though I never attended any of the 'Music As A Weapon 2003' shows, I have seen Disturbed & Chevelle live, and that is why I found this album so appealing. Disturbed's second headlining package tour featured Taproot, Chevelle and the now defunct Unloco. Together, some of the bands best tracks are present, with a few collaborations, covers and rarities. Obviously, Disturbed are prominently featured. Most of the live songs here are pulled from 2002's 'Believe' disc, but there are a few little nuggets that stand out, such as a collaboration with Pete of Chevelle and Joey of Unloco on the hit "Stupify," the previously unreleased track "Dehumanized" (the studio version remains unheard) and a surprising cover of Metallica's "Fade To Black." The band is in top form (just as when I saw them in 2001) here. Taproot, who played direct support to Disturbed on the tour, only get three songs, which is disappointing. I would have hoped for more, especially since nothing from their debut, 'Gift,' is featured, but the band does a superb job with what they are given. Chevelle are given a mere two tracks, which is shocking considering the amount of success they have had in the past two years. "Forfeit" is an amazing song live, and Disturbed frontman David Draiman helps beef up "The Red" with a guest spot. If you want more live Chevelle, they have a live CD out called "Live From The Road," which is definitely worth checking out. As far as what they have featured here, I am a little disappointed. It would have been nice to hear some songs that are a little harder to find from them (i.e. "Don't Fake This," which they didn't play live when I saw them and doesn't appear on their live album either). Finally, Unloco, the opening band makes a decent performance with "Empty" and the far superior "Bruises." Nothing much to scream over, though. The DVD covers the same area as the CD. Same performances and all, along with the music video for Disturbed's "Liberate." All in all, it's a decent buy. It's definitely somewhat lacking, but if you went to one of the shows or have seen any of the bands live, this would be a nice little package to own. Personally, I don't feel the DVD is really necessary, and I recommend sticking to just the CD version.

Drop Tuning Does Not Equal "Heavy"
I went to see Dream Theater last night. Overall, I can easily say that Dream Theater is comprised of 5 of the best musicians living on planet Earth today. Jordan Rudess is equal parts Jon Lord (of the almighty Deep Purple for those of nu-metal breeding), Beethoven and a carnival organist. His sense of timing and rhythm is unparrelled and he outshines even Dream Theater's prior keyboard wizards. Jon Myung plays bass as if he was learning scales in the womb. His fingers move effortlessly up and down the neck of his six string low-end instrument and he fails to make even a minor mistake. John Pettrucci is comfortably one of music's greatest axemen. His sense of melody and catchy hooks are combined flawlessly with his astute technical mastery. Mike Portnoy...one cannot watch his octapus arms flail about a dum kit in anything other than complete awe. In short, Mike Portnoy doesn't make mistakes and he is probably the best drummer of our generation. Finally, James LaBrie is, according to Dream Theater's website, a classically trained vocalist who still takes lessons when not touring or recording. His range ability is on par and even more defined than some of music's most famous vocalists.

What is the point of talking about Dream Theater in a review like this? Take a look at the bands on this CD. Generally, they have all been categorized by the media as "metal" and I've read countless articles and interviews with various members of the bands listed who complain about their loack of exposure is comparison to mainstream pop, despite being all over radio and video all the time. Unloco I've never heard before so I'll leave it at that, though I've heard that they are nu-metal through and through. Taproot is color-by-numbers rap rock and members of that band have even expressed their uninterest in most rock and metal altogether. Chevelle is probably the brightest spot on this CD. That being said, they still bear most traits that I despise in modern rock music and comparing them to Quicksand and Helmet insults those that they liken themselves after. Disturbed is obviously the main headliner here. Admittedly, I do admire the persistance that they displayed in getting to where they are but at what expense to "metal". They fashion themselves as the next evolutionary step in the genre while concurrently pounding out three note songs with little or no tempo changes, improvisation or leads. The songs that Disturbed are championed for are bland, unoriginal and rely mostly on guitar sound than pushing the envelope.

I've seen Chevelle and Disturbed live. I've seen what they do time and time again on TV and on heard it on radio and so on. I've also been a fan of the metal genre for over 15 years and grew up with Iron Maiden, Anthrax, Slayer and King Diamond and never do I hear the aforementioned nu-bands play anything remotely close to as intersting or technically-challenging as the metal greats that I have mentioned. As metal has progressed from the Iron Maiden's and Slayer's to the Dream Theater's and Cynic's of the genre, the band's that comprise this compilation seem to take the most simplistic and unoriginal parts of rock's more mainstream acts and formulate their own take on the matter and in the process make fans hand over fist that seemingly will move on to the next trend as the masses never fail in doing. If you want to experience some truly challenging and exciting new music, give bands like Soilwork, Dream Theater, Iced Earth, Clutch, Meshuggah or Lamb Of God a listen.

AWESOME!
OK, Unlike most of you who bought this cd for Disturbed I bought it for all the bands, Taproot sounded iffy, but not every band has a great live show every time, just happened that the time they recorded the tracks was one of them. Taproot's been around probably longer than you realized, the songs that they played on the cd are all off they're second cd... which isnt there best cd, Their first cd "Gift" is where its at. If they had a few songs from that one there that would kick. Chevelle, love their stuff up there on my high list of bands to watch out for, they already have 3 singles, The Red, Closure, and Send The Pain Below. Watch out for those guys, Unloco dont know too much about these guys, but what i hear they're not bad. I Say get it, without a doubt. But thats just me talkin.