FOREVER LIVE

As it says in the liner notes "IQ would play a showcase concert timed to coincide with the release of their 1993 album "Ever". The whole show would be filmed and recorded with the resulting product being released as the band's definitive live recording". They performed it at a venue called "The Stadthalle" in Kleve, Germany. All of their five previous albums including of course the new one "Ever" were represented on this double album. Some really good information and pictures in the liner notes as well, including thoughts from all 5 band members. The prevailing theme seemed to be on how badly the soundcheck went, but when they decided not to play "Further Away" from the new album "Ever" (a song they especially had trouble playing live) they all felt more relaxed. They proceeded to go out and play one hell of a concert. I'm so impressed with this recording and certainly would highly recommend it to anyone looking to hear IQ live and at their best.

The first disc is especially great. They open with the title track from "The Wake" and win the crowd over very quickly. Actually I don't think they had to win them over. John Jowitt relates how after the concert he and Peter decided to go over to the crowd to say thankyou, and as they're shaking hands they both got pulled in. Haha. "The Darkest Hour" from "Ever" might be the best track on here. It's so emotional when Peter starts to sing before 1 1/2 minutes. I just love this song. Some nice solid and crisp drumming in this one. Waves of synths from Orford after 5 1/2 minutes as the crowd cheers. It kicks back in. Great section. "Widow's Peak" from "The Wake" just blows me away. Paul Cook is all over this one 1 1/2 minutes in, vocals follow. How good is this ! Love when it gets darker after 2 1/2 minutes. It slows down 4 1/2 minutes in. Cool atmosphere here. Very uplifting after 8 minutes. Possibly the best track on here. Haha. "Out Of Nowhere" is an uptempo track from "Ever".This is a bright and fun track. "Nostalgia / Falling Apart At the Seams" are from "Are You Sitting Comfortably ?". From 3 1/2 minutes on it's so impressive. Check out the fat bass lines from Jowitt.Tasteful guitar before 6 1/2 minutes that I really like. "The Last Human Gateway" is from "Tales From The Lush Attic". Just a beautiful intro with reserved vocals. It's so moving when the sound gets fuller after 2 1/2 minutes. Guitar solo follows. Nice. "Fading Senses" is from "Ever" and it too opens with gorgeous sounds and reserved vocals. Touching. It gets pretty heavy later on. Great contrast. Fantastic tune.

Disc two starts with "The Thousand Days" a classic IQ track from "The Wake". Nice bass and the vocals shine as usual. The crowds into it that's for sure. Great tune. "Leap Of Faith" is from "Ever" and it opens with piano and synths. Vocals then a full sound follows. A spacey calm before 2 minutes. It kicks back in before 3 1/2 minutes. Fantastic sound after 6 minutes, check out Holmes' guitar solo as drums pound. "The Enemy Smacks" is from "Tales from The Lush Attic" and really impresses me with the way it opens. I'll just touch on "The Last Human Getaway" another highlight for me.This is from "Tales From The Lush Attic" as well. Lots of spacey synths before it kicks in at 2 1/2 minutes. Blistering guitar to end this incredible IQ track.

This is one of those recordings where you can tell the audience and the band are just having too much fun for their own good. Haha. Highly enjoyable.