STAGE

Do we really need a third double IQ DVD in a row? This was my question when I heard about Stage, their most recent live efford, covering the Dark Matter tour. It annoyed me that it was basicly two concerts from the same tour, so, in the end, you got mostly the same songs on both discs.

After watching both videos one thing is clear: the band is really awsome and one concert would be worth the price you pay (and then some). Ok, what would you expect from a band that releases one of their greatest CDs after 25 years of existence? One that easily match prog masterpieces like The Wake? They couldn´t be that legendary without merits. So I was a bit anxious to see how those songs would be performed live. I must say I was a bit disapointed that they skipped two of that album´s tunes (Red Dust Shadows and You Never Will), I still think those would sound great for the concept, but it seemes they though otherwise. Anyway, on the Stage you get a full Harvest Of Souls, which is, after all, what everybody really wanted to see live. And both performances are brilliant.

Actually, it seems that IQ can do no wrong, really. You might like one perfomance more than the other (I´ll take the Nearfest), but in the end the result will be always the same: a mesmerising perfomance of a band that has become a living legend. By the way, new drummer Andy Edwards fits in perfectly. A fantastic new DVD from one of the best prog acts ever. You ´won´t find any fault here (other than a more varied set list, and those missing The Dark Matter tracks). If you like IQ this is a must have. If you don´t know the band, this is a good starting point. They sound as fresh and exciting as ever. Higly recommended.