Eagle Rock Entertainment

Running time:  89 minutes

Released 11/10/09

By Jane Spietz

Filmed in 1978 in Frankfurt, Germany, for the German Rockpalast TV series, this energetic concert performance is sure to satisfy Meat Loaf fans everywhere. The album Bat Out of Hell was produced by Todd Rundgren and remains the third best-selling album of all time, right behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller and AC/DC’s Back in Black.

The DVD contains Meat Loaf classics “Paradise By the Dashboard Light,” “Bat Out of Hell,” “You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night),” “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad,” and “All Revved Up With No Place to Go.”

The lively theatrical interaction between Meat Loaf and female lead vocalist Karla DeVito is fun to watch. Also included is “Great Boleros of Fire,” done as an introduction by pianist Jim Steinman – Meatloaf’s songwriting partner and musical conductor.

On guitar are brothers Bob and Bruce Kulick, formerly involved with the music of Kiss. The rest of the band consists of bassist Steve Buslowe and drummer Joe Stefko (both contribute amazing solos), Paul Glanz on keyboards and backing vocalist Rory Dodd.

An added bonus is an extensive interview with a German reporter during which Steinman and Meat discuss the band’s creation and the making of Bat Out of Hell. The intensity and electricity of the live performances in this concert more than compensate for the less than ideal quality of the audio and video created with 1970’s technology.

This DVD will be a pleasing addition to any Meat Loaf fan’s collection.