Months of planning went into Evergrey’s simultaneous live DVD and CD recording – the intention being to make it truly a night to remember for the fans fortunate enough to witness the event – but did they succeed? Recorded at the beautiful Stora Teatern, Gothenburg on 9th October 2004, the band were accompanied by a live choir and string quartet provided by the Gothenburg Symphonic Orchestra.

Evergrey are a band that I have always preferred live – on CD their dark style of progressive metal is enjoyable but has never set my world alight – however, the two times I’ve seen them live they have more than impressed. Tight, powerful live performers, they have an energy that is infectious and it gives their music a power that seems to lack a little on CD. The question is, does this power translate well to a live album?

The album certainly retains a good live feel – it doesn’t sound too polished (something that has rendered many a live album pointless), but is still clear and well produced. The choir and string quartet add an interesting and sumptuous element to the performance and the band’s playing is top notch as they belt through a set containing a fair cross section of material from all of their albums. When it’s all to a high standard it’s hard picking highlights, but my particular favourites were ‘End of Your Days’, ‘As I Lie Here Bleeding’ and ‘Mislead’ from CD1 and ‘For Every Tear That Falls’, ‘Touch of Blessing’ and ‘Recreation Day’ from CD2. The set is very up-tempo and fast paced (despite the general sombreness of the subject matter) and the first break in pace comes only on song 8 of the first CD, ‘Waking Up Blind’. Because the set is very evenly paced, and not being over-familiar with the band’s full back catalogue, it can tend to blend a little after a while, however the songs I do know from their more recent albums sound very impressive and everything is powerfully delivered.

However, despite not having yet seen the DVD version of this album, I can’t help feeling that it might be the better purchase – if it sounds as good as this then having the bonus of the visuals, the beautiful theatre, the choir, the obviously very excited crowd, can only be an improvement and might render the live CD rather redundant.

All in all it’s a good value package, well-produced, great sounding and the band are on top form. With an introduction by Tom Englund, 2 CDs worth of songs and plentiful photos of the performance it’s a must for fans and a good starting point for newcomers to the band. Undoubtedly a night to remember for those who witnessed it, however for the casual listener it can blend a little and I have to admit that I still prefer them truly live – some of their magic is inevitably lost when captured on CD, even if it is a live one.

Standout Tracks:  As I Lie Here Bleeding, Touch of Blessing, Mislead, Recreation Day.

Overall Score:   7.5 /10