My Chemical Romance: The Black Parade is Dead

Jul 15 2008

(Reprise)

STATESIDE rockers My Chemical Romance spent years as cult heroes before their bleak Black Parade album and controversial video made them stadium superstars back in 2006.

But success can be a two-edged sword. The band’s Black Parade alter-ego began to take over, despite live setlists split into two parts to reflect both sides of the MyChem career.

So, on October 7 last year, Gerard Way and Co played a huge gig in Mexico City, reeling out the BP album in its original order then ceremonially killed off their own creation.

Captured on CD and DVD, it’s a memorable night, serving up the singalong likes of Welcome To The Black Parade, The Sharpest Lives (a real shot of tequila to remember) and Mama.

It’s a noisy crowd and muddy mix, just like a real gig should be. Significantly, the DVD also features a gig played a few weeks later at a sweaty club in New Jersey – without the BP make-up and effects.

Stripped of the tricks and trappings, the band seems lean and hungry again. The Black Parade is dead. Long live that old chemical romance. PC