For many people a live album is hardly worth bothering with. The performances can vary from being exact replicas of the studio recordings to blandly and barely played. However, a great live album is a thing of beauty, and any naysayers of the format are hard pressed to deny the electricity that jumps out of one’s speakers or headphones. Think of how enthralling Slipknot’s live material sounds, or how well crafted an Iron Maiden set-list can be and you’ll find the value in live recordings. Continue reading
How open-minded are you? I mean, really properly open-minded, not just trying to be too-cool-for-school open-minded? I ask the question because this beguiling, genre twisting and highly evocative second album from Zeal & Ardor will certainly put you through your paces.