FAR BEYOND LIVE

This live record has been sent to me about an year ago, but I didn't hear it until the previous week, result of my prejudice. I thought it wouldn't be good, because the songs are taken from their two first studio efforts, that I'm not very fond of. Well, the first thing to say about this release is that it truly surprised me in positive ways.

First track starts with an amazing bass. Keys and drums provide only some contours. Without much delay, the instruments catch up strong on the composition. Incredible understanding and feeling among all musicians, even better than on the studio material. With creative time signature variations. When vocals come along, they're more moderate than the group's usual. A great deal, IMO. Unfortunately, further the vocals grow up one or two tones, becoming a little excessive. Piano is very unfrequent, but delivers great scores. It's more executed on the end of the song, contributing to more complexity on the composition. Along with an accelerated guitar it's probably the highlight of this track.

The composition and arrangements of the next track are similar to the previous one, even though they're a little heavier and less complex, sounding a bit heavy prog and prog metal at the same time. Only briefly interrupted by a piano solo.

Inspired phrasings on synths open the third track, with solid support from other instruments. A nice difference this time is that the vocals are higher pitched (without excesso) and more versatile. There are lots of good changes on arrangements, time signatures and atmospheres; and yet it is possible to clearly capture the sounds of each musician, as they are less jumbled. Definitely the best song on this live registration.

Fourth track has a bit of a crossover prog edge, altogether with the heavy prog approach. A splendid characteristic is that once again the bassist has more space on this piece. His combinations of groove, melody and rythym are amazing. Something uncommon happens, the guitar is strummed and calm, but very briefly. The last two minutes of this song are apotheotic and spectacular.

There's an extra track that's not announced on the cover or back cover of this disc. It's very guitar-oriented, performing firm and heavy riffs. All the band is truly inspired, and once again you can clearly and sharply hear all of them. Vocals, indeed, are on the right height and timbre. Some psychedelic stuff is executed on the song's second half; not so brilliant, but really unexpected. Overall I liked the surprise.

Very cohesive and strong live performances. Today they're releasing new material, which is more symphonic prog oriented than all their previous stuff, specially if compared to their two first studio releases (because "Enigma", the studio album from 2011, already had a more symphonic and eclectic approach).

3.9 stars.

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