Not Rated

Running Time: 75 Minutes

Studio: Eagle Vision

Retail Price: $14.98

Features: Interview with Meat Loaf & Jim Steinman

Specs: 1.33:1 Full Screen, Dolby Digital Stereo

Released: November 10th, 2009

"Meat Loaf: Bat Out Of Hell - The Original Tour" is presented in 1.33:1 full screen. This concert was videotaped for German television, and as a result, the image quality really has that "feel" that you're watching something on TV from the late 1970's. That includes the texture, scan lines and even the font that pops up to inform what song is playing. With this in context, the transfer looks pretty good. At times the performing area seems a bit dark, but color saturation is decent and fleshtones are fine. Sometimes detail and colors are a bit wishy-washy, and the image sharpness takes a dip into being a little low grade (as if you are watching this on a VHS tape), but this is quite watchable for what this is.

The audio is only in Dolby Digital Stereo, so those hoping for something more immersive or a full remix are out of luck. Still, this track gets the job done. No, it's not rich in dynamics: this is just a straightforward rock concert with equalized sound and not much way in audio detail. But everything sounds clear and crisp, and fidelity is quite high. When the limitations of the track are taken to account, this still manages to be a worthy stereo track. 

The only extra on the disc is an Interview with Meat Loaf & Jim Steinman, that runs about 14-and-a-half minutes. It appears that this interview was recorded for German TV, right before the two took the stage for the concert. The two discuss their musical backgrounds and how they met, insights on songwriting and the two's collaboration on "Bat Out Of Hell." Definitely worth a watch.

Long time fans of Meat Loaf should delight in this disc, as they get to see his beloved album get the concert treatment at the Rockpalast in Germany, circa 1978. The audio and transfer are dated, but for what they are, do satisfy. The sole extra — an interview with Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman — is a nice little bonus. For fans of the singer, this is a cool artifact to own, and the price is right too. For fans, this is well recommended.