Red Dragon Cartel/PA, USA 2014

Jake E. Lee has made a miraculous comeback, and the super beautiful front row live footage of RED DRAGON CARTEL, led by him, has arrived! Although it was recorded by the audience, the sound and visual beauty are absolutely perfect. The screen may shake when looking back at the audience between songs, but it is very stable during the performance, probably because it is on a tripod. Even when zooming in, you won’t have to worry about camera shake. What’s more, the audio balance is excellent (despite being in the front row), with no cracking or shaking whatsoever. In fact, I don’t think there are many videos with such high quality (even official ones). If you think about it, Jake reached his heyday in the 80’s and early 90’s, and then went into a long hiatus. It is only now that you can see him in action in digital video. Among them, this work can be said to be the best at the moment. In addition to its beautiful quality, the live content is also wonderful. Immediately after their debut, the band received some harsh criticism, but as a new band, their performance has only improved the more they play. Even at the performance in Japan, the audience, who were in a state of giving up, were stunned, saying, “If only Jake was there…”, and this work is also a passionate performance that brings back those days. The tension that runs through when the impressive beat of “The Ultimate Sin” begins, the shudder at the moment when Jake’s riff hits it, the guitar solo that instantly jumps through space and time… the trembling feeling of that day. You can leave your impressions on the screen or in your hands! Jake looks cool as he spins around while strumming the hot riff of “High Wire”! After all, this person is special… It’s fulfilling not only for Jake but also for the band as a whole. In particular, the singing of Darren Smith, whose main job is to be a drummer, is spectacular. Although he has a husky voice, he sings as magnificently as the late Ray Gillan. Although it is a piece of such perfect quality, there is only one biggest drawback that it cannot be pressed. That is, it was shot from the bassist Ronnie Mancuso’s side. The photographer also knew this, and during guitar solos and highlights, he zooms in on Jake while ignoring the bass, but it’s Ronnie who gets a clear close-up shot at the edge of the screen… Even though I know that I can’t say anything extravagant because it’s such a beautiful image, I end up muttering, “Why, why, why couldn’t Jake record it!” . . (Jake coming to the center of the stage and jamming passionately during “Feeder” is so cool!) However, it would be a shame to let such a video go unused. For those who were touched by “Bark At The Moon” at the performance in Japan, and for those who were disappointed after hearing its reputation, this is the best album to experience Jake as he is now. 1. The Ultimate Sin 2. Deceived 3. War Machine 4. High Wire 5. Shout It Out 6. In A Dream 7. Rumblin’ Train 8. Sun Red Sun 9. Feeder 10. Bark At The Moon Jake E. Lee – Guitar D.J.Smith – Vocal Ronnie Mancuso – Bass Jonas Fairley – Drums COLOR NTSC Approx.62min.