The Good

Prior to this release, Body Count released a DVD of their performance from the Smoke Out Festival which I was also able to view. The first thing I noticed is that this performance was shot better with multi-cameras, and the quality of the film was better. On top of that, the sound quality is far superior. Live in L.A. has Body Count firing through 17 of their most wanted songs. "Killin' Floor" is where the music starts to take off. Other hits include the powerful "Bowels of the Devil," the blood-thirsty "Drive By," and the always controversial "Cop Killer" (does anyone else find it strange Ice T plays a cop on television).

There's no denying that the crowd is into each and every song as they battle it out in the pit and sing along. Body Count always had a knack for driving guitar riffs, frantic drum beats, and songs that your average metal act weren't singing about; "KKK Bitch," "Surviving the Game," and "Mama's Got 2 Die 2 Nite" are a few that come to mind. Half-way through the show, Ice T introduces a new Body Count track entitled "Murder 4 Hire," which was written by the late D-Roc. At the conclusion of the concert, you can watch interviews with Ice T and other members of Body Count. If you don't have time to watch the DVD, you can take the bonus CD with you in the car.

The Bad

The worst part of this DVD is that it's comprised of one continuous chapter, as opposed to multiple chapters like most DVDs. In other words, you have to watch the show from beginning to end, with no skipping ahead. You have to wait until the entire concert is finished to watch the bonus interviews, because there is only one option on the main menu; "play show." Also, the beginning of the set is rather boring. The first three songs are basically comprised of six words; "Body Count's in the mutherf***in' house!"

The Verdict

For me, Body Count has always been one of those bands I just couldn't get into. Over the past few months they've been in my face, so I've had no choice but to notice. I have to say that I think that Ice T is a better rapper then a metal frontman. He is far more prolific lyrically on his solo albums than he is with Body Count. That's okay, because to truly appreciate the group you have to be into the music. Body Count's rhythm section is truly what the band is about. On Live in L.A., they prove they can lay down the heavy riffs and beats just as well as any other thrash, hardcore, and metal band past and pres

What a great live performance by a great band the only fault with the dvd is there is only one chapter so you cannot jump from song to song,apart from that the performance is perfect.

I am fan of Bodycount since always,and this is a complete collection of many of their best songs ever......I think Bodycount is underrated,and its a great band.