Without Canadian rockers Rush progressive rock would have been a very different animal. Bands such as Marillion, Asia, Queensryche, Mercyful Fate, Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Ayreon, Symphony X, Angra and Savatage, probably would have not existed. Entire rock sub-genres probably would have not existed.

Rush was formed in 1968 in Toronto, Canada by Alex Lifeson (Guitar/Vocals), John Rutsey (Drums) and Geddy Lee (Vocals/Bass). Their first album, Rush, however, came in 1974, when Rutsey was replaced with Neil Peart, who would eventually become the band's principal lyricist. Since then, Rush have recorded 24 albums, of which 3 have become multiplatinum.

Initially more of a hard rock than progressive rock band, Rush were inspired by the likes of Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. Like many young rock bands, they played live as often as they could, and did as many covers as they were asked to. The more the members of Rush performed together, however, the more confident they became in developing a unique style. By 1978, when Rush released their Hemispheres, it was clear to everyone who followed the rock scene closely that this was a band that had something different to offer.

I was introduced to Rush in the early 80s, while I was experimenting with the music of another legendary progressive rock band, King Crimson. Their albums were not easy to purchase, but this only fueled my desire to find out more about them. During a trip to Germany, I managed to get four of their albums, including the groundbreaking Hemispheres, and since then have seen them perform live more than a dozen times.

As cliché as it may sound, what makes Rush a very special band is their music. Their compositions are incredibly complex, incorporating elements from a number of different genres, from folk to new-wave and jazz. Also, Rush do not imitate what other bands have already done before them; on the contrary, there are countless examples of their unique style being copied by others. Rush are also notorious for their terrific live improvisations.

Rush: R30 was recorded live during the band's stop in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2004, which was part of their 30th Anniversary World Tour. During this truly memorable show, Rush performed many of their classic hits, including "Mystic Rhythms", "Between the Wheels", "The Seeker", "Bravado", "Secret Touch", "YYZ", "Bastille Day", etc. (Note: Unlike the SDVD release of Rush: R30, which misses a number of songs Rush performed, the Blu-ray disc herein reviewed contains the entire R30 show).


Between the Wheels

Tracklisting:

1. R30 Overture:
-- Finding My Way
-- Anthem
-- Bastille Day
-- A Passage to Bangkok
-- Cygnus X-1
-- Hemispheres
2. The Spirit Of The Radio
3. Force Ten
4. Animate
5. Subdivisions
6. Earthshine
7. Red Barchetta
8. Roll The Bones
9. Bravado
10. YYZ
11. The Trees
12. The Seeker
13. Tom Sawyer
14. Dreamline
15. Secret Touch
16. Between The Wheels
17. Mystic Rhythms
18. Red Sector A
19. Der Tommler
20. Resist
21. Heart Full Of Soul
-- 2112
-- La Villa Strangiato
-- By-Tor and The Snow Dog
-- Xanadu
-- Working Man
22. Summertime Blues
23. Crossroads
24. Limelight