Top-class bombast!

HAARP of MUSE: gigantic!
The time has come: Muse have found their way into the giant stadiums! Last summer they played on two consecutive evenings at the sold out London's Wembley Stadium, and not only the stage is huge, and the atmosphere in the audience and - of course - the music on stage. The three boys playing in ecstasy, Matthew Bellamy once again demonstrates his incredible vocal control and but one also remembers the three experienced their sovereignty their unabated fun on stage. From the ingenious how-the-fist-on-eye-for-Muse-appropriate intro to ("Dance of the Knights" from Sergei Prokofiev's ballet "Romeo and Juliet"; the reference to Prokofiev missing strangely in the booklet) are goose bumps and adrenalin virtually guaranteed. That the first song of the "Black-holes ..." - CD ("Take a bow") as well as works Closer, like the last one ("Knights of Cydonia") as an opener, impressively underlines the class of Muse, whose songs ever the context may have a different effect. One of the highlights in my opinion is "Invincible": what is released of tension and energy here little by little, is simply stunning (not to mention the guitar magic at the beginning of the song ...)! Even the moving song "Soldier's Poem", the Bellamy all "unsung heroes" dedicated, guarantees a lump in my throat ... The perfectionism of the musicians is palpable, and so most of the songs sound almost exactly like on the album - this of course is not weakness, but it takes a little tension and falls short of the expectations of those who live far Muse still better than found on the studio albums. Very interesting to see and hear, however, as a few older songs now, with a more mature voice Bellamy, suddenly different - more meaningful - sound, especially "Unintended" and "New Born".
No song on HAARP is negative in any way (except maybe "microcuts" which is a little disappointed, because watching the spectacular high notes are simply left out (at 2:43);? Matts vocal range will not decrease as with aging or that was about convenience) - and yet does not want to continuously adjust the expected enthusiasm with me. Because there are a few small but not insignificant criticisms: So I personally find it a great pity that Bellamy in some songs amazingly unclear articulated (eg "Unintended" and "Hoodoo"), which threatens the songs to take part of their beauty and seriousness , I also have a bit of the impression that many of the older songs - although classics all ("in baby plug", "Hysteria" in addition to the currently already mentioned - see tracklisting) - Only therefore sung, because they guarantee the cheers of the audience , By contrast, the biggest shortcoming on HAARP undoubtedly the lack so great, new and explosively political songs like "Assassin", "City of Delusion" and "Exo-Politics". Here were about the texts "dangerous" to the ground (see "oppose and disagree, destroy demonocracy, shoot your leaders down, I will avenge and justify my reasons with your blood", etc.)?
About one such high-profile bombast, as it provides HAARP, hovers like a sword of Damocles, the danger of hubris, and although Muse turn on this CD / DVD unusual amount of their audience, calling on it to clap or sing times can only audiences (as in "Time is running out": terrific), so I think it is questionable how close sovereignty on stage but is a slight arrogance. In order not to be misunderstood: I am (and stay!) Great Muse fan, the three gifted musicians and especially Bellamy repeatedly demonstrates a talent that has no equal, both in terms of the melodies and the lyrics; But on this DVD I have for the first time under the impression that the pleasure of music and the authenticity of the three that I have so far always admired, at least initially degenerates into pure show, just as did the 'Showbiz Muse now but firmly in control. The additional musicians Muse on stage support (and without which most of the songs from "Black holes ..." - album would probably not performable), contribute to the impression of more "made" as "lived" music is created (therefore from me "only" 4 stars). For me personally missing at HAARP unfortunately noticed on the edge a little bit the fresh elegance of the "absolution" -Konzerts in Glastonbury and the energetic fury of "Hullabaloo" DVD (: I think the darkness of a Hall concert or a headline gigs is at a festival Muse much better than a daylight illumined concert in an open Wembley Arena ...). Despite all these criticisms, however, is also HAARP a masterpiece, that has no equal and whose purchase is absolutely worthwhile - not only for Muse fans.
The special edition of HAARP includes not only CD and DVD (with a short making-of film) and three good photographs of the band members and a photo booklet, all wrapped up in a black, white and gold held box whose understated elegance the Gesamtkunstwerk HAARP perfect rounds.