Last year Porcupine Tree released their latest album The Incident. The album marked another step forward in the incredible journey of the band from a solo studio project created by Steven Wilson in the late eighties to a Grammy nominated act and one of the world’s most revered live bands, currently selling out arenas across the globe and wowing fans with their incredible performances. “Anesthetize” is a DVD which captures the power of the band’s live show. Recorded on multi-cameras over two nights at 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland in October 2008, the concerts featured tracks from throughout the band’s career. “Anesthetize” collects the highlights from the two shows. It is only the band’s second ever DVD release. Includes: 2 Hour concert film with stereo & 5.1 sound,5 x Lasse Hoile `Live films’ from the show Photo gallery, “Anesthetize” is also released as a two disc package. The second disc is the Blu-Ray version of the concert. It contains the following extras: “Way Out of Here”,”My Ashes”,”Wedding Nails”,”Strip The Soul / Dot Three”,”Nil Recurring”, 5 live films all directed by Lasse Hoile
Rating: 
(out of 7 reviews)
List Price: $ 24.99
Price: $ 20.99
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June 6, 2010
#1
Review by Julian L. Diaz
Rating:
This is what I mean: I was fortunate enough to attend two concerts from the same tour that the DVD is taken from. No question, PT is better enjoyed live; however, this DVD offers significant advantages that a live concert cannot provide:
1. You watch it when you feel like it.
2. You don’t have to drive to get to the concert.
3. The guy in front of you won’t block the view of the stage.
4. You can seat down and enjoy.
But the truly impressive aspects of this DVD are the camera work and the sound mix. During the credits I counted at least 9 camera operators. It is as if you’re on the stage with the band! You can watch Gavin Harrison playing from the left, the right, the top, and even from under the drums! I know now where he keeps the set list (down on the left side). You can even read the brand of the drum sticks that he uses.
Same with the other musicians: you can see the keys of the keyboard reflected on Richard Barbieri’s glasses; the chords that the under-rated, extraordinaire bass player Colin Edwin chooses so discretely; the craftsmanship of John Wesley’s guitar playing, and the artistry of genius composer/arranger/musician/producer/promoter Steven Wilson.
The sound, the mix and the production are of the most impressive quality. Even the PCM Stereo version is so good I hope they release the tracks on CD or as downloads to be able to listen to in the car.
They start out with the full Fear of a Blank Planet album, ala The Incident tour. Impeccable all; “Way Out Of Here” (which can be seen on YouTube) and “Sleep Together” stand out, this last one for the rage and energy that the band displays.
It is appreciated that for the second half of the show, they chose a number of songs, which are not that frequently heard on live material available. “What Happens Now”, “Cheating the Polygraph” and “Normal” (from Nil Recurring), “Dark Matter”, and “Sleep of no Dreaming”, among others, are simply spectacular. The show stealer, however, turned out to be a very low key piece called “Half-Light” from the Deadwing sessions, in which Steven Wilson plays his signature Video Guitar and John Wesley finishes the song with the most heartfelt vocal that I’ve heard in a long time. There is no question: John Wesley is the fifth Beatle!!!
If you’re still reading is because you already know Porcupine Tree. I don’t need to tell you about how good these guys are or that they play the most creative kind of progressive, hard and acoustic rock combination that can be found on this planet. If you’re a fan, you have to have this DVD.
This review is based on the first viewing of the regular version of the DVD made in England (not the Blu-ray).
June 6, 2010
#2
Review by JP
Rating:
Yes, this is not out yet so, of course, I can’t review the actual product. So this is just an FYI as to what is on the thing for those who, like me, are curious as to exactly what the contents are and are too lazy to go look elsewhere. After I’ve had it a week or so I’ll edit the below.
BUT…..I feel that I can justify a 5 star rating, sight unseen, for 4 reasons:
1) In my book ANYTHING PT does is 4 or 5 stars
2) The setlist looks magnificent!!!
3) I saw this tour in Atlanta in 2007 and it was GREAT!!!
4) If Arriving Somewhere is any indication…how can this NOT be 5 star worthy?!?!
Anyway – FYI:
DVD/Blu-Ray Disc
Intro
“Fear of a Blank Planet” (from Fear of a Blank Planet)
“My Ashes” (from Fear of a Blank Planet)
“Anesthetize” (from Fear of a Blank Planet)
“Sentimental” (from Fear of a Blank Planet)
“Way Out of Here” (from Fear of a Blank Planet)
“Sleep Together” (from Fear of a Blank Planet)
“What Happens Now?” (from Nil Recurring)
“Normal” (from Nil Recurring)
“Dark Matter” (from Signify)
“Drown With Me” (b-side from In Absentia)
“Cheating the Polygraph” (from Nil Recurring)
“Half-Light” (b-side from Deadwing)
“Sever” (from Signify)
“Wedding Nails” (from In Absentia)
“Strip the Soul” / “.3″ (from In Absentia)
“The Sleep of No Dreaming” (from Signify)
“Halo” (from Deadwing)
Outro
Extras (Blu-Ray Disc only)
“Way Out of Here” (live film directed by Lasse Hoile)
“My Ashes” (live film directed by Lasse Hoile)
“Wedding Nails” (live film directed by Lasse Hoile)
“Strip the Soul” / “.3″ (live film directed by Lasse Hoile)
“Nil Recurring” (live film directed by Lasse Hoile)
CD Track listing (deluxe edition only)
Disc 1
1. “Intro” 2:07
2. “Fear of a Blank Planet” 7:34
3. “My Ashes” 4:46
4. “Anesthetize” 17:20
5. “Sentimental” 5:18
6. “Way Out of Here” 7:47
7. “Sleep Together” 7:54
8. “Prodigal [Bonus Track]” 6:03
Disc 2
1. “What Happens Now?” 8:09
2. “Normal” 7:13
3. “Dark Matter” 8:57
4. “Drown With Me” 5:21
5. “Cheating the Polygraph” 8:11
6. “Half-Light” 5:28
7. “Sever” 5:37
8. “Wedding Nails” 5:43
9. “Strip the Soul/.3″ 8:17
10. “The Sleep of No Dreaming” 5:31
11. “Halo”
June 6, 2010
#3
Review by pagan97
Rating:
Wow! I thought seeing them live was great…This is just another fine example of musical perfection from Maestro Wilson and the Boys. An all-star cast of musicians at the top of their game plus brilliant lighting, directing, and editing from Lasse Hoile make this a remarkable concert DVD. The set list is all FOABP and Nil Recurring for the first half of the show. The second half is old favorites, plus some not heard live before, really rounds the night out. The transfer is from all HD cameras and pops with color and life. No visible noise to these eyes. The DTS master audio sound will just blow you away! This, along with the phenomenal mix by genius SW, has me aching to throw away another 2+ hours of my life. I did only plop down $12 for the DVD version, but now I will go full bore and order the Blu-ray version (with all the bonus material) as well. The wait for this one (2 yrs) was long, but WELL worth it! *This review is from the DVD I purchased thru the pre-order from the PT website. Made in the UK!*
June 6, 2010
#4
Review by James D. Boyle
Rating:
I just got finished with the DVD portion of this release, (I do not have the blue ray as yet…)
The Fear of a Blank Planet and Nil Recurring materials play exceptionally well live…the video is mixed even better than that of Arriving Somewhere. The 5.1 sound adds a depth which is too largely missing in the materials available from most bands…
Their musicianship including the vocals, (live as well as recorded) continues to be stellar…They managed to pull me in with “Sleep Together”…a song that I’ve not been fond of to date, that is until I saw them perform it live via this DVD!
The venue in Tilburg played well for this DVD, and the fans were amazing there. If you’re a fan of Porcupine Tree, “Anesthetize” is a MUST for the library!
June 6, 2010
#5
Review by James Hey
Rating:
This is the best concert video I’ve ever seen. The sound is spectacular and filming as made from many different angles. I watched it start to finish the day I got it and it’s long…130 minutes. Others here have outlined the songs so I’ll just say if you love PT…get this! You won’t be disappointed. There are great closeups of everyone. Sometimes in the concerts it’s hard to make them out but not here. You really see everything.