 | Tracklist:
1. Perpetual Black Second
2. Electric Red
3. Rational Gaze
4. Pravus
5. Lethargica
6. Combustion
7. Straws Pulled At Random
8. New Millenium Cyanide Christ
9. Stengah
10. The Mouth Licking What You've Bled
11. Humiliative
12. Bleed
Release Date: 2010 | |
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On 12 Lists
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| Summary: If only all of their albums were live |
8 of 8 thought this review was well written
Meshuggah is a band of consistency. Their albums are always unrelenting hatred in the form of complex time signatures mixed with what has been called robotic vocals. They have also been lauded for their live show, which is where the band truly thrives. The crazy Swedes, with eight string guitars in tow, bring an intense, nonstop atmosphere to all of their shows, which is what makes a live album truly interesting. Can a live album and DVD contain everything that makes their live show great? Yes, it can, and in fact, it is better than their last few albums.
The absolute number one upgrade about Meshuggah live is Jens Kidman. Here is a vocalist who on record sounds like a pissed off robot, yet in a live setting his throaty growl shines. His vocals out of studio are so much better than hearing him on album. Jans Kidman brings the intensity in his vocals to a level that honestly is not and can not be replicated on their studio albums. The rest of the band does not slouch either, with there being no note out of place, and every note being hit with viciousness. Tomas Haake further proves how amazing of a drummer he is with his performance, which bites and punches at all the right spots.
The camera captures the band well, but sometimes the camera does what all cameras in live videos do: go into an intense bout of ADD, flying from shot to shot, making you want to hurl. Also, Jens Kidman is less than talkative on stage, but, in all honesty, this is a metal show, how often do you need to hear, “HOW THE *** ARE YA (Insert city name here)?” Having a metal vocalist shut up and not do much more than introduce the song is kinda nice.
The song selection is on par as well. Other than a distinct lack of songs from Contradictions Collapse, which is really not surprising, songs were very well chosen, with an obvious majority from ObZen and Nothing. The obvious favorites like “Rational Gaze” and “New Millenium Cyanide Christ” are there, as well as songs like “The Mouth Licking What you’ve Bled” which is not as popular of a song, but still a fantastic song to play live. One thing that can’t help but be noticed is that almost all of the songs go so well together partially because Meshuggah has not changed in fifteen years.
Alive captures Meshuggah at their best, pulling no punches and firing on all cylinders. From guitars to drums to vocals, everything sounds great and the wall of sound stays intact. If Meshuggah can finally find a way to translate Jens Kidman’s vocals to studio on their next album, then they could further improve. This live album also serves as a greatest hits album, yet most of the songs sound better than their on-record counterparts. Meshuggah is a live band, and this DVD/Album set does nothing but show that off.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 4.5
ugh, don't know if I like this review.
Digging: Goo Goo Dolls - A Boy Named Goo Digging: Goo Goo Dolls - A Boy Named Goo | | |
The dvd missed some of my favorite songs. Too bad Future Breed Machine isn't here. I love this dvd.
Digging: Neurosis - Times of Grace Digging: Neurosis - Times of Grace
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
This DVD is truly awesome.
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Shit I need to hear this
Digging: Joe Bonamassa - Driving Towards The Daylight
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
It is awesome.
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Must get this album!
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Yeah, this is pretty good
Digging: Amon Tobin - Amon Tobin Digging: Amon Tobin - Amon Tobin
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Never got the appeal of this band. Yes, they're very technical, but the music is just sort of irritating.
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A few times it did sound like Jens overdid it. OMG Humiliative
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
This live album is Jens' best vocal output ever. In case I wasn't clear on that in my review haha
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Tbh I found a few of Tomas's fills a bit lacking
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Are they still using Ibanez? They should start using Blackmachines.
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neg'd
oh wait, nvm
Digging: Candlemass - Psalms For The Dead Digging: Candlemass - Psalms For The Dead
| | | Album Rating: 4
gota see this
Digging: Gary Glitter - kiddy diddler Digging: Gary Glitter - kiddy diddler | | |
I really do not like live albums, not sure if I should check this...
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I dont get why they never play Dancers To A Discordant System live. It would be an amazing song to end a show with...
Digging: Paradise Lost - Tragic Idol Digging: Paradise Lost - Tragic Idol
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Great review. I don't really care for this because they didn't include "I". Sorry, no "I" = partial fail!
Digging: Vaura - Selenelion Digging: Vaura - Selenelion
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"Meshuggah has not changed in fifteen years"
Sorry what?
Good review apart from that.
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"Great review. I don't really care for this because they didn't include "I". Sorry, no "I" = partial fail!"
Seriously? PFFF.
I've only had the pleasure of seeing these guys live once, but it was nothing short of glorious. My only gripe was the fact that they played "Suffer In Truth" slightly slower than the recorded version.
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Seriously? PFFF.
SERIOUSLY, they've never come close to writing that great ever before or after.
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