Like the films of Stanley Kubrick or the writing of Chuck Palaniuk, some art in and of itself is great, but meant to move you out of your comfort zone. Real artists make art for themselves and not for fans or trends. Nearly 20 years into their career, post-metal deconstructionists Cult Of Luna keep forging a legacy of greatness with left turns and creative zeniths. Taking time out to tour, a rarity for them, and put together an exquisite package the DVD/music/art collection Years In A Day/Live At La Gaite Lyrique: Paris (Indie Recordings) the further exemplifies their mission of art.
Visually it’s a stunner. If you have never seen the Swedish experimentalists live, this is a great document of a performance by them, though none of their shows ever classified as typical in the way you imagine. Throbbing lights and heavy sounds are complimented by a terrific camera work, and an editing job that neither feels too jumpy or forced. Many concert films from the last few years suffer from the need for directors and editors to match the force of the music with over-editing, but the band has chosen well here. Every element or shot even is meant to serve the track and the performance from the band, not the other way around.
Musically the set list is a beast. The band were on tour supporting the 10th anniversary of Somewhere Along The Highway for this run and the majority of the tracks come from here, with a few other gems sprinkled in. Veering from artsy synthesizers to delicate prog space jams, to brutal anguished sludge hymns, CoL shifts around their musical exoskeleton with ease. The crowd noise is at a minimum throughout, but likely that is a plus as the audience live was likely as enrapt as the viewer and listeners are here.
If you are a die-hard, this set list from the Paris performance will really make you swoon. The entire show is immaculate, but the expanded set includes ‘Light Chaser’, ‘Owlwood’, ‘Echoes’, I;The Weapon’, ‘Marching To The Hearbeats’, ‘Finland’, ‘Thirty Four’, much’ and many more.
The deluxe package includes a two-disc music set with expanded tracks and incredible artwork that enhances the experience.
9.0/10
KEITH CHACHKES