Having been a band since 1994, it wasn’t until 1997 that the show Tenacious D premiered on HBO after the cult hit series Mr. Show starring David Cross and Bob Odenkirk. Kyle Gass and Jack Black (often referred to as K.G. and J.B.) recorded their first album in 2001, and it was a major hit.
Sure, Black’s star was on the rise, and he used it to push the band forward, but it doesn’t change the fact that Tenacious D are amazing. Their popularity was strong enough that they received their own film, Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006). The film was a financial failure, but it didn’t stop the duo from carrying on, and the movie eventually became a beloved cult classic.
I’ve seen Tenacious D live several times, including an early performance when it was just the duo, before adopting a full touring band. Not only was it a hysterically funny stage performance as musicians, but they also rock. Through numerous albums, music videos, concerts, and more, Tenacious D are still a major force in the rock and metal community, despite the naysayers and controversy (their last tour was canceled after Gass made a controversial joke on stage in Australia). They’re still beloved and active. The third volume of their masterworks collection is now out, cementing the fact that Gass and Black are still very much committed to the band.
Previous editions of The Complete Masterworks include their 2-DVD set from 2003, The Complete Masterworks, featuring their performance at the Brixton Academy, the original HBO series, and lots more, and the 2008 DVD release, The Complete Masterworks 2, captures their heavy rock mayhem filmed by Wayne Isham at their 2007 Paramount Theater/Seattle shows, D Tour: A Tenacious Documentary directed by Jeremy Konner plus additional material from the Pick of Destiny era.
Tenacious D: The Complete Masterworks Vol. 3 captures the band at the height of their powers during their sold-out, headline show at London’s O2 Arena on June 16, 2023. In addition, it includes the band’s animated film, Post-Apocalypto, with music from The D and illustrations by Jack Black.
The package features music videos, including the smash hit cover from Kung Fu Panda 4, “…Baby One More Time” and Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game,” The D’s Oneyplays Studios animated hit “Video Games,” their Fiber d’Lish commercial, and their charity covers series including “Tenacious D’s The Who Medley,” The Beatles’ “You Never Give Me Your Money / The End,” and “Time Warp,” from the cult classic The Rocky Horror Show.
What can I say about this set? Well, it’s perfection if you’re a fan of Black, Gass, and the band. You will want to own it just so you can have everything from this particular era in the band’s history. The stage performance is magical, great energy, killer crowd, and the band was on fire that night. The music videos are always a blast to watch, and their cover of the Britney Spears hit has me convinced they should do a covers album of the pop singer’s hits.
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Post-Apocalypto is a crudely drawn (by Black) animated feature that’s very funny at times, with songs. This release is also a 2-disc set, Blu-ray and DVD, and is worth every single penny.
Black is a national treasure, and his devotion to the band (and friend) is heart-warming. Kyle Gass is every bit as integral to the group, and their harmonies feel like orgasms to my ears. Even the disc menu is comedy gold. Tenacious D are here to stay, and this collection once again proves why they’re “the greatest band in the world.”
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