War at the Warfield
Encyclopedia
War at the Warfield is a concert video by Slayer
which was released on July 29, 2003, through American Recordings. Recorded at Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, California
on December 7, 2001, it is the band's second video album. The DVD's contents were announced by MTV
on July 25, 2003. It is the last release by Slayer to feature drummer
Paul Bostaph
, who left due to a chronic elbow injury. Bostaph was subsequently replaced by original Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo
. War at the Warfield was well received by critics, debuting at number three on the Billboard DVD chart, and sold over 7,000 copies in its first week. It was certified gold for selling over 50,000 copies.
on December 7, 2001, (exactly 60 years after the Japan
ese attack on Pearl Harbor
) War at the Warfield would become Slayer's second DVD. Originally set for release on February 11, 2003, and later February 13, 2003, it was delayed several times, due to unspecified "production issues". However, on May 20, 2003, it was announced that the release would be on June 17, 2003, only to be pushed back once again to July 27. Before the DVD's release, Tom Araya
commented, "I don't think it's different than any other Slayer show, you got your kids doing the mosh stuff. They get crazy, they tear the place up. And then you get the one kid that's tempted to jump off the balcony. Whether he does it or not is another story. When they do, of course they get hurt, but they always insist on staying so they can watch the rest of the show, then they go to the emergency room." On July 25, 2003, four days before its release, MTV
announced the DVD's contents, stating that it was recorded in December 2002 at the Warfield theater in San Francisco, and announced its track listing.
Bostaph eventually left the band before Christmas due to a chronic elbow injury, stating it would hinder his ability to play. After his departure, Bostaph joined the band Systematic. On December 21, 2001, it was announced that original drummer Dave Lombardo
would "temporarily reclaim his place behind the drums on the next leg" of Slayer's God Hates Us All tour. Bostaph described his time with the band as "an unbelievable ride with Slayer, playing with these guys has been an incredible high point in my career," and that he is "really grateful for the experience."
for more than 50,000 shipments in the United States. William Ruhlmann of Allmusic commented that the DVD "serves as both a fan's statement on Slayer and a good representation of the group's music and performance style." Jon Wiederhorn, an editor for MTV
, said that "Slayer's new War at the Warfield DVD isn't one of those home-video concert releases meant to distract fans during a lengthy gap between records—the group already has ten songs written for its next LP
, which should be out by April."
Andy Patrizio of IGN
awarded the DVD seven out of ten, mentioning "the ferocity and intensity is still there, just a tad slower," and summarising with the statement, "if you're a Slayer fan, or into thrash in general, you'll love this. If you're not, this video isn't going to change your opinion on the music." Patrizio criticized the video's direction, observing that "the camerawork is full of fast, MTV-style cuts, which, combined with the flashing lights, is more headache-inducing than the music."
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
which was released on July 29, 2003, through American Recordings. Recorded at Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
on December 7, 2001, it is the band's second video album. The DVD's contents were announced by MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
on July 25, 2003. It is the last release by Slayer to feature drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Paul Bostaph
Paul Bostaph
Paul Bostaph is a heavy metal drummer. His drumming career began in 1984, when he was 20 years old, and he had since worked with bands like Slayer, Forbidden, Exodus and Systematic. He is from Newark, California and currently drums for Testament...
, who left due to a chronic elbow injury. Bostaph was subsequently replaced by original Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo
Dave Lombardo
Dave Lombardo is a Cuban American heavy metal drummer best known for his work with American thrash metal band Slayer. He has performed with Slayer on seven albums, including their groundbreaking 1986 release Reign In Blood and their 2006 release Christ Illusion, for which he received critical praise...
. War at the Warfield was well received by critics, debuting at number three on the Billboard DVD chart, and sold over 7,000 copies in its first week. It was certified gold for selling over 50,000 copies.
Recording and release
Filmed at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
on December 7, 2001, (exactly 60 years after the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
) War at the Warfield would become Slayer's second DVD. Originally set for release on February 11, 2003, and later February 13, 2003, it was delayed several times, due to unspecified "production issues". However, on May 20, 2003, it was announced that the release would be on June 17, 2003, only to be pushed back once again to July 27. Before the DVD's release, Tom Araya
Tom Araya
Tom Araya is a Chilean musician, best known as the bassist and vocalist of the American thrash metal band Slayer...
commented, "I don't think it's different than any other Slayer show, you got your kids doing the mosh stuff. They get crazy, they tear the place up. And then you get the one kid that's tempted to jump off the balcony. Whether he does it or not is another story. When they do, of course they get hurt, but they always insist on staying so they can watch the rest of the show, then they go to the emergency room." On July 25, 2003, four days before its release, MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
announced the DVD's contents, stating that it was recorded in December 2002 at the Warfield theater in San Francisco, and announced its track listing.
Bostaph's departure
Bostaph gave the band prior knowledge of his willingness to leave before recording the DVD. "You gotta understand that the taping of that; the Warfield show was two shows before my last show with the band. I haven't watched it because you kinda go back with your scene... for the fans, they see a show; for me, I see my second to last show with the band, you know what I mean? I have it but I needed to get some distance away from the situation and move on with my life. It's like breaking up with a girlfriend."Bostaph eventually left the band before Christmas due to a chronic elbow injury, stating it would hinder his ability to play. After his departure, Bostaph joined the band Systematic. On December 21, 2001, it was announced that original drummer Dave Lombardo
Dave Lombardo
Dave Lombardo is a Cuban American heavy metal drummer best known for his work with American thrash metal band Slayer. He has performed with Slayer on seven albums, including their groundbreaking 1986 release Reign In Blood and their 2006 release Christ Illusion, for which he received critical praise...
would "temporarily reclaim his place behind the drums on the next leg" of Slayer's God Hates Us All tour. Bostaph described his time with the band as "an unbelievable ride with Slayer, playing with these guys has been an incredible high point in my career," and that he is "really grateful for the experience."
Reception
Released through UMVD (Universal Music & Video Distribution), the DVD debuted at number three on the Billboard DVD chart, selling over 7,000 copies in its first week. On June 2, 2004, the DVD was certified gold by the RIAARecording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
for more than 50,000 shipments in the United States. William Ruhlmann of Allmusic commented that the DVD "serves as both a fan's statement on Slayer and a good representation of the group's music and performance style." Jon Wiederhorn, an editor for MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, said that "Slayer's new War at the Warfield DVD isn't one of those home-video concert releases meant to distract fans during a lengthy gap between records—the group already has ten songs written for its next LP
LP record
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
, which should be out by April."
Andy Patrizio of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
awarded the DVD seven out of ten, mentioning "the ferocity and intensity is still there, just a tad slower," and summarising with the statement, "if you're a Slayer fan, or into thrash in general, you'll love this. If you're not, this video isn't going to change your opinion on the music." Patrizio criticized the video's direction, observing that "the camerawork is full of fast, MTV-style cuts, which, combined with the flashing lights, is more headache-inducing than the music."
Track listing
- "Disciple" (Jeff HannemanJeff HannemanJeffrey John "Jeff" Hanneman is a rhythm/lead guitarist and founding member of the American thrash metal band Slayer. Hanneman grew up in Los Angeles in a family of war veterans, and his fascination with warfare is attributed to his upbringing...
, Kerry KingKerry KingKerry King is an American lead and rhythm guitarist. He is best known as the lead guitarist and cofounder of American thrash metal band Slayer. He co-founded the band with Jeff Hanneman in 1981 and has been a member ever since...
) - "War Ensemble" (Tom ArayaTom ArayaTom Araya is a Chilean musician, best known as the bassist and vocalist of the American thrash metal band Slayer...
, Hanneman) - "Stain of Mind" (Hanneman, King)
- "New Faith" (King)
- "Postmortem" (Hanneman)
- "Raining BloodRaining Blood"Raining Blood" is a song by the American thrash metal band Slayer. Written by Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King for the 1986 studio album Reign in Blood, the concept deals with religion, specifically said to be about overthrowing Heaven...
" (Hanneman, King) - "Hell Awaits" (Hanneman, King)
- "Here Comes the Pain" (King)
- "Die by the Sword" (Hanneman)
- "Dittohead" (King)
- "Bloodline" (Araya, Hanneman, King)
- "God Send Death" (Araya, Hanneman)
- "Dead Skin Mask" (Araya, Hanneman)
- "Seasons in the Abyss" (Araya, Hanneman)
- "Captor of Sin" (Hanneman, King)
- "Mandatory Suicide" (Araya, Hanneman, King)
- "Chemical Warfare" (Hanneman, King)
- "South of Heaven" (Araya, Hanneman)
- "Angel of DeathAngel of Death (song)"Angel of Death" is the opening track on the American thrash metal band Slayer's 1986 album Reign in Blood. The lyrics and music were written by Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman and are based on Nazi ″physician″ Josef Mengele, who conducted human experiments at the Auschwitz concentration camp during...
" (Hanneman)
Personnel
This list of credits can be verified by Allmusic and War at the Warfields album-notes.- Tom Araya – bass, vocals
- Jeff Hanneman – guitars
- Kerry King – guitars
- Paul BostaphPaul BostaphPaul Bostaph is a heavy metal drummer. His drumming career began in 1984, when he was 20 years old, and he had since worked with bands like Slayer, Forbidden, Exodus and Systematic. He is from Newark, California and currently drums for Testament...
– drums - Vincenzo Amato – Production Assistant
- David Anthony – Producer, Design
- Eric Baecht – Remote Technician
- Greg Bess – Sound Consultant
- Anthony Bongiovi – Director, Editing, Camera Operator
- Eric Braverman – Voices, Producer
- Marcus Buick – Control Engineer
- David CaprioDavid CaprioDavid A. Caprio is an American attorney and Rhode Island State Representative from District 34. He was first elected on December 21, 1999. Caprio represents portions of South Kingstown and Narragansett. He is the son of Joyce and the Chief of the Providence Municipal Court Judge Frank Caprio and...
– Production Assistant - Rod Carmona – Producer, Design
- Scott Carroll – Tape Operator
- Jerry Cell – Engineering Supervisor
- David Chun – Camera Operator
- Jean Luc Cohen – Producer, Design
- Robert CohenRob CohenRobert "Rob" Cohen is an American film director, producer and writer.-Early life:Cohen was born in Cornwall, New York. He was raised and spent his childhood in the Town of Newburgh and graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1967...
– Editing, Camera Operator - Leonard Contreras – Engineer
- John CraneJohn CraneJohn Rene Crane is an American writer and actor, best known as the head writer, executive producer and occasional performer on Fox's Saturday late night sketch comedy program, MADtv.-Career:...
– Technician
- Matthew Dillon – Producer, Design
- Christopher Downing – Producer, Design
- Jeff Fura – Production Coordination
- CJ Furtado – Engineer
- Ken "TJ" Gordon – Guitar Technician, Bass Technician
- Glenis S. Gross – Executive Producer
- Chuck Haifley – Crew
- Sam Harden – Lighting
- Matt Harmon – Camera Operator
- Matt "Fluffy" Hartman – Guitar Technician
- Jim Henderson – Reprocessing
- Kieran Hughes – Camera Operator
- Tom Hutten – Producer, Design
- Matt HydeMatt HydeMatt Hyde is an American producer, engineer, mixer and musician.From 1982-1985 he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. While still at Berklee he started to get experience in Pyramid recording studio in Boston...
– Mixing - Jessica Jenkins – Producer
- Nick John – Executive Producer
- Ted Kujawski – Engineer
- Craig Lacombe – Producer, Design
- Chris "Lumpy" Lagerborg – Drum Technician
- Ann Lakato – Camera Operator
- Christian Lamb – Camera Operator
- Tony Leone – Producer, Design
- Alex Lokey – Photography
- Gabe Lopez – Camera Operator
- James C. Moore – Producer, Design
- Christine Ogu – Remote Technician
- Dino Paredes – Executive Producer
- Lionel Passamonte – Liner Note Producer
- Sue Pemberton – Producer, Design
- Rick Sales – Executive Producer
- Greg Santos – Camera Operator
- Thomas Scott – Production Assistant
- Bob Skye – Engineer
- Bruce SmithBruce W. SmithBruce W. Smith is an American character animator, film director, and television producer, best known as the creator of Disney's The Proud Family....
– Video Engineer - David Stelzer – Executive Producer
- Matthew Thayer – Camera Operator
- Frank Vu – Production Assistant
- Joe Weir – Technician
- Mark WeissMark WeissMark Weiss is an American rock and roll photographer. His most widely recognized photographs capture the look and aesthetic of music and celebrity personalities of the 1980s....
– Photography