ROADSKILL - LIVE IN THE NETHERLANDS

This is a 2-disc DVD+CD set, filmed and recorded live in 2013 at one of the band's European shows at De Boerderij, NL, but I only have the audio so can't comment on the filming. By this time Dave Wagstaffe had decided to leave the band due to his ongoing commitments with Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash, and his place on the drum seat had been taken by Danny Martin. All eight songs are taken from the latest studio album, 'Entertaining Angels', probably due to having released two live albums since the 1998's 'Science of Coincidence', which was the last studio album prior to that one, plus a live DVD in the same period.

Doesn't really matter why though, as 'Entertaining Angels' is a great album, so I am more than happy for the band to be performing most of it in concert, and I am sure the fans there that night feel exactly the same way as well. In the live environment the guys are polished, with superb harmonies and great musicianship, and a real edge to their performance. I have been lucky enough to see Mike play live quite a few times, and it is where he really thrives, while Uwe and Steve have shared a stage for longer than many marriages and each know their place, but also somehow manage to take it to the next level. Uwe is surely one of the scene's most under-rated guitarists, with a wonderful biting sound, while Steve is rarely content with staying with the drums and would rather be creating additional melody lines, and then there is Tracy. When I hear Tracy sing, with that power and grace, I wonder why it is that someone with her talent isn't a household name and why studio-created monstrosities are the ones that rake in all the money.

Landmarq have never gained the kudos they really deserved, and having to take many years out for various reasons certainly never did them any favours, but whichever way you look at it, this is an awesome album that all neo prog fans (in particular) should have in their collection. The second stage of the band is complete. Now let's be having the third'