OFFICIAL BOOTLEG - LIVE IN JAPAN

This double CD is a fine document of the band's Japan concerts from the mid-1990's, capturing the moment of evolving from their two first studio records to the darker straits of "From Within" album. The most essential performances on this album are in my opinion "The Old Man and the Sea" and "Wheel", venturing much further to the dramatic sonic capabilities than their sterile studio recordings from their debut. The opener "Karelia" isn't very powerful,an usual symptom on live concerts that there has to be some warming up with the first numbers. I would suggest to check the version from their "Live-EP" instead. "Thoughts in Absence" is also an interesting version, as it morphs in to "Road to Nowhere", which is a fine open inprovisation. "Tabatah" is also an exceptional track, very aggressive song that is only present on this album, possibly named after an adult film star. The closer "Rubankh" is also good version, not maybe as fine as it is on their "Nucleus" album, but it's interesting to listen them play it for over twenty minutes. The shorter studio version however contains more controlled aggression, and the duration slightly weakens its potent. As this album is produced so well, I don't understand the reference to a bootleg on the album title. But I understand this record should be on anybody's collection interested of the band's early discography.