Live albums can be boring as shit, especially live metal albums. Who wants to hear a bunch of drunks play shitty versions of songs played better and with more clarity on the studio album. Part of the experience of witnessing a metal band live is the ear shredding, pants shitting volume, not to mention trailer park gals displaying their tits to the band like sacrificial offerings. Ahhh, actually, that's only half the story, because for many bands, a live album unleashes a raw ferocity that just can't be captured in the studio, not to mention different versions of guitar solos, little bits if improv here and there. And priceless stage banter. Funny stage banter will always raise the worth of a live album by a couple points. So we embarked upon a night of epic live shit.
We started out by listening to the extended Digipack of Iron Maiden's 'Maiden Japan'. A 4 song EP released in 1981, featuring original vocalist Paul D'Anno and drummer Clive Burr, this is a document of the early band, with 16 extra songs released two decades later. This is definately a fan only experience. It is just too fucking long! As an EP, it is essential, as a regular album, also essential, but an hour and 10 minutes later in the digipack, after enduring 5 encores complete with guitar solos, drum solo, and audience participation, it's just way to much. The band sounds brilliant though, and Paul D'Anno's cockney screech is kind of refreshing.
This video is not live, but it is a nice document of early Maiden
Better is SOD's 1992 reunion album, Live At Budokon. Recorded at the Ritz, this Anthrax side project featuring MOD behemoth Billy Milano, Nuclear Assault bassist Danny Lilker, and well as Anthrax mainstays Scott Ian and Charlie Benante, is ferocious and fun live document, famously featuring a near riot, and Milano's moronic but funny bellows. They play all the songs off their classic crossover thrash album 'Speak English Or Die', as well as a few covers by Fear, Ministry and Nirvana(!). It's a crazy document of a crazy time. What I've seen of the video version is pure insanity. Mosh pits like the one featured simply do not exist anymore. It's all a karate kicking fashion show now. Here is part of it, embedding disabled by request:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbP4R_FbkNs
The motherfucker of the evening was Slayer's 'Live Undead'. Recorded live in the studio in front a small number of fans, who manage to sound like raging, meth fueled hordes. This is the remastered re-release, with additional songs(never cared for the tinny quality of the original recordings). This captures Slayer in their element, complete with 'cunts in the night' stage banter. This album was part of 13 year old Chris Eddy's musical education. Slayer will teach you about life, if you know how to listen. Amazing album. The winner!
The most technically accomplished album of the night was Norwegian black metal kings Emperor's 'Imperial Live Ceremony'. Majestic and savage at the same time, this is a document of the later, progressive version of the band. The sound is clearer than their early 90's version, but still a sheet of white noise to the uninitiated. Banter is minimal, though Ihsahn's broken English screaming is kind of a hoot.
Ok, that's it. All the beers were drank. Brutal silliness ensued!
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