ON AIR WITH GUESTS

Unlike their previous live album which was recorded in a club this one was recorded live in a controlled enviroment with various guests helping out on several tracks. Eight of the eighteen tracks are around a minute or considerably less. I must admit that while this album is so impressive mainly because of the talents of Mats and Morgan on keys and drums respectively, it just doesn't come off nearly as well as the live album released the year before. Just my opinion of course, but there's so much wankery here that it reminds me of Steve Vai's 'The Elusive Sight And Sound" compilation where we witness an amazing guitarist but we don't get much in the way of great tunes.This is a shred-fest of a different kind that is mind boggling but tough for me to sit down and actually enjoy.Technical is the word. I'll just focus on the longer tracks.

"En Schizofrens Dagbok" is all about precision. Not what you'd call melodic but... a fuller sound arrives after 1 1/2 minutes and this sounds better. An impressive display to say the least. "Hollmervalsen" has some insane drum and keyboard work. Although it turns cold and technical to the point of being annoying to these ears. "Chicken" is kind of funky with Jonas Knutsson on sax. Keys lead before 3 minutes then drums before 4 1/2 minutes before the sax is back outfront after 6 minutes. Excellent tune.

"Sol Niger Within" is a top three with guitarist Fredrik Thordendal adding some heavy leads. By the way this is surprisingly heavy music. Very much Metal. It's great ! "Advokaten" features Simon Steensland with his theremin. Not a bad song. "Min Hast" is another top three. It reminds me of WIGWAM early on but much more intense. "Etage A-41" is flat out insane ! "She's Louder Than Me, But I've Got The Microphone" guests the Jimmy Agren Band and I really like the guitar and bass here. Good track. "Ta Ned Trasan" is mostly keys and drum led.

Some mind blowing instrumental work to be heard on this album but like I said earlier i'll take the live album from the year before which is just as impressive instrumentally with more of an emphasis on their songs. 3 stars but worth 4 or 5 stars for the talent alone. Just sayin'.