Invanity

When I started this blog out I wanted to showcase bands that have had an impact of myself and at the same time shed some light on some lesser known bands. With Live albums sometimes that can be a tad tricky. However with today's post I feel like I can accomplish that. Sometime ago I showcased this band and mentioned them as part of the ABBA tribute I had featured. Once again I'm going to shed some light on the band Flowing Tears. A German female fronted Atmospheric/Goth Metal band is about the best way you could describe Flowing Tears. The band has released a short Live album entitled 'Invanity - Live In Berlin', which we will take a look at.

Flowing Tears began life as more an Atmospheric Doom Metal band back in '94. Back then they were known as the rather wordy Flowing Tears & Withered Flowers. If that name doesn't drip depressing Metal I dunno what does. The band did manage to release two albums and an EP under that name. By '99 they decided to chop the name down a bit and release what is considered the great album in 'Jade', which was profiled here. The band has released two albums under the new name before parting with vocalist Stefanie Duchene and replacing her with Helen Vogt. Despite being signed to Century Media their first album with Helen, 'Razorbliss' went largely unnoticed. If I recall there was some promotion for the new album and lineup, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears. In '07 the band released their Live album 'Invanity - Live In Berlin'. The album is somewhat of an acoustic/electronic effort. A short nine tracks in length, the album pulls from their three albums. It also includes an eerie cover of Slayer's "Dead Skin Mask" as well as a cover of Nick Cave's "The Weeping Song", which features Tiamat frontman Johan Edlund sharing vocals.

This album and band is one of those times I can spin something from them and say Metal is all guttural death chants and screaming. Once again this is an album you can ease someone not familiar with the genre into. Sadly the band really hasn't done anything since their '08 release 'Thy Kingdom Gone' and has split up as of earlier this year. Flowing Tears were a great band I think that just got lost by the wayside of the other more well know Female Fronted Metal bands like Nightwish, The Gathering, Tristania, Lacuna Coil and the such. Really a shame this band wasn't as big as they could have been.

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Another Lesson In Violence

Time to come back stateside and get back into the pit with some Bay Area Thrash. Widely considered to be among the second Big 4 of Thrash Metal, Exodus have been a staple of Thrash music since the early 80's. Perhaps what Exodus is best known for is Kirk Hammett's part in forming the band before joining Metallica. But despite losing such talent, Exodus remained a staple of the Bay Area Thrash scene. The band despite having some what of an issue holding onto a vocalist at times, continues to Thrash today, releasing new material and playing live.

The band has released a few Live albums. Three "official" releases, all three with a different vocalist. For this one though we go to '97 and a reunion with original vocalist Paul Baloff. Recorded at the Trocadero on March 8th, 1997,  'Another Lesson In Violence' marked a change for Exodus. Five years removed from their last dismal effort in 'Force Of Habit', the band had spent the early 90's struggling to remain a relevant name in Metal. By the mid 90's the band dropped vocalist Steve 'Zetro' Souza and brought back original wild man Paul Baloff. This Live Album captures the Baloff era Exodus. This album also captures the dual Thrash attack of Guitarist Gary Holt and Rick Hunolt. Face melting solos and amazing fret work make this album worth cranking up. An album was in the works after the Baloff reunion , but sadly Baloff passed away before the '04 release 'Tempo Of The Damned' could be finished. Instead former vocalist Zetro stepped in to complete the album. The band continues to push the Thrash attack on the masses, releasing a new album that features Kirk Hammett providing some guest work. Funny how things come full circle.

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Made In Japan

We go back to the Land Of The Rising Sun with this post. And we feature one of the most prolific Rock Live albums every issued. I of course speak about the legendary 'Made In Japan' from Deep Purple. Recorded on October 15th-17th in '72 in Osaka and Tokyo Japan, this was initially a Japan only release. The album was released stateside in '73 to capture some more of the profit. Thanks Warner Bros.

The album is pretty much the pinnacle of the classic Deep Purple lineup. Ritchie Blackmore playing like a crazed madman. You know before he went into hiding mode and made fairy music with his wife. Then there's the late Jon Lord smashing at the Hammond B-3 like no one else ever could. Ian Paice and Roger Glover handling the low end of things, while Ian Gillan belts out the classics. This was Deep Purple riding high after releasing a great album in 'Machine Head' just a year earlier.

I decided to go with the Deluxe edition of 'Made In Japan'. Simply cause you have to. The Deluxe Edition adds three extra tracks on the bonus disc. "Black Night", "Speed King" and the Little Richard cover of "Lucille" add to the already stellar track list.

Deep Purple for most will forever be know as that band that did "Smoke On The Water", the most famous chord progression in Rock. Stop humming it, I know you are. But Purple wasn't a one song wonder. The band released some critically acclaimed records in their prime. And while the lineups changed, the music evolved and in some cases got better with the addition of Glenn Hughes and David Coverdale. Don't believe me, go check out the the classic albums, 'Burn' and 'Stormbringer' for proof that Coverdale is much more than just that dude from Whitesnake. And stop humming "Here I Go Again" now. Purple has been together off and on since '68. There was a time where Purple didn't exist from '76 to '84 but the band still carries on despite the fact the axeman Ritchie Blackmore wants nothing to do with the band or Rock music in general and the recent passing of Jon Lord. The band continues to release new albums along with a massive collection on unearthed Live material from the years past. Deep Purple is truly one of Rock's giants.

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Death & Raw

Since it's Halloween here stateside let's get thematic for a moment. Today we shine a light on one of the most influential and legendary Death Metal bands to come out of the Florida Metal scene. I of course speak of Death. A band who's influence on the genre can still be felt today. There were two Live albums released in '01 to help Chuck with his medical expenses at the time. Both feature the 'The Sound Of Perseverance' era lineups. I will focus on the first release 'Live In LA, Death & Raw'  to showcase an incredibly talented band.

Death originally formed under the name Mantas way back in '83. Formed by Guitarist and Vocalist Chuck Schuldiner, the band toiled in the underground in the early 80's, releasing nearly two dozen Live tapes and Demos before releasing their first album in '87. The band initially started out playing what would become Death Metal before incorporating elements of Progressive throughout the years. The band has somewhat of a revolving lineup. In fact the band never had the same lineup on records. In a rare case Bassist Steve DiGiorgio and Drummer Gene Hoglan play together on two records. While having a rotating lineup wasn't bad considering the players had played with the likes of other metal giants like, Obituary, Massacre, Testament, Six Feet Under, SYL, and King Diamond to name a few. The albums never lacked talent or were weak musically in any sense. Death ultimately turned out seven albums and two Live records during their run.

By '99 Chuck was working on his other band Control Denied when health issues began to take hold. In May of '99 it was discovered that a tumor that causes brain cancer and popped up. Chuck began treatments for it and by Oct of '99 he was given a clean bill of health. Sadly the cost of medical procedures had run quite high. The family was unable to pay the costs. Several benefit shows and auctions were held and the Metal community came together as a whole to assist Chuck's family with the cost. Sadly in May of '01 the cancer had returned. With treatment ongoing the side effects of chemo began to take hold leaving Chuck weak and his condition weakened as he became ill with an pneumonia. Sadly Chuck passed away on Dec. 13, 2001 due to complications from the cancer. In the years since Chuck's passing legal issues with unreleased material from both Death and Control Denied have come and gone. Death's legacy is handled by their former manager and the family. Several reissues have been recently released. Former members of Death are currently out on the road as a tribute band called Death To All. The shows are a tribute to the man referred to as "The Father Of Death Metal".

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Live Around The World

Continuing on with the Jazz theme for Live records, we shift to another Jazz legend in Miles Davis. A while ago I profiled the classic David record 'Kind Of Blue'. Shifting to his later period of work, 'Live Around The World' focuses on his later more modern style of playing. Originally released in '96, five years after his death, the album pulls material recorded in various places from '88 to '91. Clocking in at just under 71 minutes, this single disc captures Davis during his latter more synth infused periods. Included in this album are two covers. "Human Nature" is a spin of a Michael Jackson track and "Time After Time" is a take of the classic Cyndi Lauper track. Overall this is still a great Davis record, but to a newcomer to the Jazz scene this record may be a little harder to get into. For someone new I would recommend starting points for Davis with the major releases. Albums like 'The Complete Birth Of The Cool', 'Kind Of Blue' 'Bitches Brew' and 'Sketches Of Spain'. Any of those records are excellent starter albums. Even better if you listen to them in that order to see the progression. In any case keep your inner cool cat hip and happy and grab this Live record, ya dig?

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Live At Birdland

Time to Jazz the blog up some. Yes bad puns aside, the next couple of posts will feature some Jazz legends. First up we have the great Sax legend in John Coltrane. Most people who don't really enjoy Jazz will still know the name Coltrane. A legend who basically turn the Jazz world on its ear. Recording several great pieces over the years and playing with other legends like Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. This is a bit of a different Live album in the sense that it does feature two studio tracks in addition to the four Live cuts.

'Live At Birdland' marks Coltrane's fourth Live record. Recorded Live on March 6, 1963 and October 8, 1963 at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club in New York. Originally just 5 tracks, 3 Live cuts and 2 studio pieces, 'Live At Birdland' got an extra Live cut when issued onto CD. It also includes a false start at the start of the opening cut "Afro Blue". At just under 44 minutes, this Live album captures everything the Coltrane was, a great player with an even greater band. Just listen to the intense opening cut and you'll see what I mean.

For people not that big into Jazz I tend to recommend Coltrane as a starting point for listening. Albums like 'Settin' The Pace', 'Blue Train' and 'My Favorite Things' are three great albums to pick up. Each showing a different period if you will. As all three were released on different labels. Don't be afraid to give Jazz a try, I love the genre and it does take some time to get a like for it, but it's worth it.

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Live From MSG

Quite a large Live album for this post. Double Live album to be exact, with well over two hours of simply great rock and blues. Take two musical giants in Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood, throw them on tour and what do you get? An awesome night of music for one, but you also get a killer double Live album. Simply titled, 'Live From Madison Square Garden', this album captures two giants of rock and blues doing what they do best.

Recorded over the nights of February 25th-28th 2008 at New York's Madison Square Garden, this '09 release showcases two legends. Pulling material from their days in Blind Faith together, to solo material, to covering rock/blues classics. Two plus hours that only leaves you wanting another encore. The show in addition to being released on CD was also issued out on DVD. I was lucky enough to catch this tour when it rolled through Phoenix. This was one of the best shows I've ever seen. If you get the chance to see either Clapton or Winwood before the call it day, do yourself a favor a go, you will not be disappointed.

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