User:CrowzRSA/Sandbox/Sandbox 2/Slayer/War at the Warfield

War at the Warfield is a home video by Slayer which was released in July 29, 2003 through American Recordings. Recorded at Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, California on December 7, 2001, it is the band's first video album. On July, 25 2003, the DVD's contents were announced by MTV. It is the last release by Slayer to feature percussionist Paul Bostaph due to a chronic elbow injury. As a result, Bostaph was replaced by original Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo. The film was well received by critics, debuting at number three on the Billboard DVD chart, selling over 7,000 copies in its first week. It also was certified a gold for more than 50,000 shipments.

Recording and release
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 11, 2003,, and later February 13, 2003, it was delayed several times, due to unspecified "production issues". However, on May 20, 2003, it was announced the release will be on June 17, 2003, only to be pushed back again until July 27. Before the DVD's release, Tom Araya said "I don't think it's different than any other Slayer show, you got your kids doing the mosh stuff. They get crazy, they tear the place up. And then you get the one kid that's tempted to jump off the balcony. Whether he does it or not is another story. When they do, of course they get hurt, but they always insist on staying so they can watch the rest of the show, then they go to the emergency room." On July, 25 2003, four days before its release, it was announced by MTV the DVD's contents, informing the article's readers that it was "recorded at San Francisco's Warfield theater in December 2001," and featured "19 live songs, the unedited video for "Bloodline" from 2001's God Hates Us All and 50 minutes of interview footage."

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."

Bostaph eventually left the band before Christmas due to a chronic elbow injury, stating it would hinder his ability to play. After his departure, Bostaph joined the band Systematic. On December 21, 2001, it was announced that following the incident, original drummer Dave Lombardo would "temporarily reclaim his place behind the kit on the next leg of the speed metal band's God Hates Us All tour." Bostaph described his time with the band as "an unbelievable ride with Slayer, playing with these guys has been an incredible high point in my career, and I am really grateful for the experience."

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. On June 2, 2004, the DVD was certified gold for more than 50,000 shipments. 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." Jon Wiederhorn said that "Slayer's new "War at the Warfield" DVD isn't one of those home-video concert releases meant to distract fans during a lengthy gap between records — the group already has ten songs written for its next LP, which should be out by April."

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." 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."

Personnel

 * Tom Araya – bass, vocals
 * Jeff Hanneman – guitars
 * Kerry King – guitars
 * Paul Bostaph – drums
 * Vincenzo Amato – Production Assistant
 * David Anthony – Producer, Design
 * Eric Baecht – Remote Technician
 * Greg Bess – Sound Consultant
 * Anthony Bongiovi – Director, Editing, Camera Operator
 * Eric Braverman – Voices, Producer
 * Marcus Buick – Control Engineer
 * David Caprio – Production Assistant
 * Rod Carmona – Producer, Design
 * Scott Carroll – Tape Operator
 * Jerry Cell – Engineering Supervisor
 * David Chun – Camera Operator
 * Jean Luc Cohen – Producer, Design
 * Robert Cohen – Editing, Camera Operator
 * Leonard Contreras – Engineer
 * John Crane – Technician


 * Matthew Dillon – Producer, Design
 * Christopher Downing – Producer, Design
 * Jeff Fura	– Production Coordination
 * CJ Furtado – Engineer
 * Ken "TJ" Gordon – Guitar Technician, Bass Technician
 * Glenis S. Gross – Executive Producer
 * Chuck Haifley – Crew
 * Sam Harden – Lighting
 * Matt Harmon – Camera Operator
 * Matt "Fluffy" Hartman – Guitar Technician
 * Jim Henderson – Reprocessing
 * Kieran Hughes – Camera Operator
 * Tom Hutten – Producer, Design
 * Matt Hyde – Mixing
 * Jessica Jenkins – Producer
 * Nick John – Executive Producer
 * Ted Kujawski – Engineer
 * Craig Lacombe – Producer, Design
 * Chris "Lumpy" Lagerborg – Drum Technician


 * Ann Lakato – Camera Operator
 * Christian Lamb – Camera Operator
 * Tony Leone – Producer, Design
 * Alex Lokey – Photography
 * Gabe Lopez – Camera Operator
 * James C. Moore – Producer, Design
 * Christine Ogu – Remote Technician
 * Dino Paredes – Executive Producer
 * Lionel Passamonte – Liner Note Producer
 * Sue Pemberton – Producer, Design
 * Rick Sales – Executive Producer
 * Greg Santos – Camera Operator
 * Thomas Scott – Production Assistant
 * Bob Skye – Engineer
 * Bruce Smith – Video Engineer
 * David Stelzer – Executive Producer
 * Matthew Thayer – Camera Operator
 * Frank Vu – Production Assistant
 * Joe Weir – Technician
 * Mark Weiss – Photography