War at the Warfield

Infobox music DVD
Name = War at the Warfield
Type = Live DVD
Artist = Slayer

|225px
Released = July 29 2003
Recorded = December 7 2001
Genre = Thrash metal
Length = 1:26:11
Label = American Recordings
Producer = Anthony Bongiovi
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:m99yxdfb4ol7 link]
*IGN Rating-10|7 [http://au.dvd.ign.com/articles/437/437931p1.html link] | Last album = "God Hates Us All"
(2001)
This album = "War at the Warfield"
(2003)
Next album = "Soundtrack to the Apocalypse"
(2003) |

"War at the Warfield" is a home video by Slayer which was released in 2003 through American Recordings. Following several delays due to production problems, "War at the Warfield" peaked at number 3 on the Billboard DVD chart with sales of 7,000. Receiving average reviews, the DVD was awarded gold certification by the RIAA in 2004, for over 50,000 shipments.

Recording

Filmed at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, California on December 7 2001, "War at the Warfield" would become Slayer's first music DVD. Originally set for release on February 13 2003,cite web
title=Slayer Set Release Date For Live DVD
author=
publisher=Blabbermouth.net
date=2002-11-20
url=http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=7703
accessdate=2007-03-11] it was delayed several times,cite web
title=Slayer: 'War At The Warfield' DVD Pushed Back
author=
publisher=Blabbermouth.net
date=2003-02-05
url=http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=9471
accessdate=2007-03-11] due to unspecified "production issues".cite web
title=Slayer: 'War At The Warfield' DVD Delayed Until April
author=
publisher=Blabbermouth.net
date=2003-03-15
url=http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=10563
accessdate=2007-03-11] However, on May 20 it was announced the release will be on June 17 2003,cite web
title=Slayer: 'War At The Warfield' DVD To Surface Next Month
author=
publisher=Blabbermouth.net
date=2003-05-23
url=http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=12112
accessdate=2007-03-11] only to be pushed back again until July 27.cite web
title=Slayer: 'War At The Warfield' DVD To Surface In Late July
author=
publisher=Blabbermouth.net
date=2003-05-23
url=http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=12185
accessdate=2007-03-11]

Bostaph's departure

Bostaph gave the band prior knowledge of him wishing to leave before recording the DVD. Bostaph has a copy but is yet to watch it, as it was his last release with the band and his third last live show; "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."cite web
title= Paul Bostaph of Exodus, ex-Slayer
author=Syrjälä, Marko
publisher=Metal-Rules.com
date=2007-02-05
url=http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=797&Itemid=60
accessdate=2007-03-07] Bostaph eventually left the band before Christmas due to a chronic elbow injury, stating it would hinder his ability to play.cite web
title = Slayer: Lombardo's back!
author =
publisher = Kerrang!
date = 2002-01-03
url = http://www.kerrang.com/nav?page=kerrang.reviews.artist.news&fixture_news=111297&resource=111297&fixture_artist=149178
accessdate = 2006-12-02]

Reception

Released through UMVD (Universal Music & Video Distribution), the DVD debuted at number 3 on the "Billboard" DVD chart, selling over 7,000 copies in its first week.cite web
title=Slayer's 'War At The Warfield' Debuts At No. 3 On Music DVD Chart!
publisher=Blabbermouth.net
date=2003-08-12
url=http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=14354
accessdate=2007-03-03] On June 2, 2004, the DVD was certified gold for more than 50,000 shipments.cite web
title=RIAA database
publisher=RIAA.com
url=http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS
accessdate=2007-11-30] 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." [cite web| title = Allmusic Review - "War at the Warfield"|author = Ruhlmann, William|publisher = Allmusic|url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:54ri28vl054a~T1|accessdate = 2007-03-14]

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 that "if you're a Slayer fan, or into thrash in general, you'll love this. If your not, this video isn't going to change your opinion on the music."."cite web
title = Slayer: War at the Warfield Evil shows its age.
author = Patrizio, Andy
publisher = IGN
date = 2003-09-12
url = http://uk.dvd.ign.com/articles/437/437931p1.html
accessdate = 2007-03-14] Patrizio criticised 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

Credits

*Tom Araya – bass, vocals
*Jeff Hanneman – guitars
*Kerry King – guitars
*Paul Bostaph – drums

References