Here we have the first official live CD from Norwegian progressive metal veterans Circus Maximus, recorded on February 6, 2016 at the Rockefeller Club in Oslo and celebrating the release of their then new album Havoc. Playing a good chunk of the new album (which, at the time, had not even been released in many parts of the world) as well as many older favorites, Circus Maximus put on a stellar performance here, once again showing why they are one of the most talented acts in the genre.
Blending virtuoso musical skills with instantly memorable & soaring vocal harmonies, the band rip through 15 songs here in this 2CD set, which comes across as a bona fide live 'greatest hits' or sorts that delivers on all fronts. Whether it's the crunchy prog metal thumper "Sin", the blazing "Forging", or the classic "Abyss", there's no shortage of excitement on display. Newer tracks such as the irresistible "Highest Bidder" and the melodic "The Weight" perfectly fall in line with their older siblings as future classics, and though there's so much to take in, you don't get a second of filler. Guitarist Mats Haugen struts his skills throughout, lending some massive crunch on the heavy "Havoc" and working alongside Lasse Finbratan's symphonic keys on the upbeat & memorable "I Am" to great effect. Of course, vocalist Michael Eriksen shines every step of the way, his wonderful, emotional vocals have long been some of the best in progressive metal, and he is firing on all cylinders for the duration of this concert. And "Chivalry"? It's just gorgeous, a rendition not to be missed.
Plain and simply, this is a stellar live album from Circus Maximus, and sure to be one of the best live documents we are to hear this year.
Track Listing
CD 1 - 01 Forging
CD 1 - 02 Namaste
CD 1 - 03 The One
CD 1 - 04 The Weight
CD 1 - 05 Highest Bitter
CD 1 - 06 Architect of Fortune
CD 1 - 07 Arrival of Love
CD 1 - 08 Loved Ones
CD 2 - 01 Sin
CD 2 - 02 Havoc
CD 2 - 03 Pages
CD 2 - 04 Abyss
CD 2 - 05 I Am
CD 2 - 06 Chivalry
CD 2 - 07 Game of Life
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
