Back in 2015, progressive metal veterans Between the Buried and Me released their most recent concept album Coma Ecliptic, which of course was well received by both fans & critics alike. On October 4, 2017, the band performed the entire 'metal opera' at The Observatory North Park in San Diego, California, plus recorded & filmed the entire event for eventual release through Metal Blade Records on CD, DVD, Blu-ray, and digital formats.
The CD version that we have been asked to review contains the entire performance of Coma Ecliptic, and is a spot on concert by the band recreating this immense concept piece. As on the album, vocalist/keyboard player Tommy Rogers really comes into his own here, portraying the many characters involved in the story and contributing a wealth of keyboard solos, textures, and layers. Just listen to him lending different vocal styles for each character, as well as laying down a wealth of synth patterns, on the atmospheric "Famine Wolf", and soaring to the heavens on clean as well as growling vocals on the excellent "The Coma Machine". It's an impressive performance by Rogers. Of course, guitarists Paul Waggoner & Dustie Waring also put on a clinic, delivering bone crunching riffs and blazing lead lines throughout, with the acrobatic rhythms of bassist Dan Briggs and drummer Blake Richardson keeping everything intact. The bands blending of complex progressive metal, death metal, and hardcore is ever present throughout this challenging concept album, and it's incredible just how well they recreate the entire piece live. Gotta love the Mellotron & synth passages on the spooky "Rapid Calm", while the band blaze through some intricate prog on the wild "Memory Place", showing the world why they have long been considered one of most talented bands on the planet.
Once the climactic sounds of "Life in Velvet" close things out, you'll want to take a deep breath and digest all that you've just experienced, and play it all over again. As good as the CD version is, I can imagine watching this on DVD or Blu-ray is an even more incredible experience. As far as live albums go, it doesn't get much better than this...well, perhaps their Colors Live set!
Track Listing
- Node (Live)
- The Coma Machine (Live)
- Dim Ignition (Live)
- Famine Wolf (Live)
- King Redeem / Queen Serene (Live)
- Turn on the Darkness (Live)
- The Ectopic Stroll (Live)
- Rapid Calm (Live)
- Memory Palace (Live)
- Option Oblivion (Live)
- Life in Velvet (Live)
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