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Rather pointless but still cool - 75%
The jury's still out on whether I'll have enough cash to see some very old neckbeards make a lot of noise in December- and whether they'll actually play any of their older, intense-r tunes- so for now this'll have to do. Allow me first up to take issue with the packaging or severe lack thereof- shit album cover, no gig photos, nothing. It's like they're asking for this to get pirated!
Still, all is forgiven when that punishing riff on The Doorway begins. The sound quality is pretty good and things are pretty close to the studio version, which I'm surprised about as based on the massive guitar tone this was played at a truly earth shattering volume. In general the set list is pretty cool- no Enemy of The Sun or Through Silver in Blood, unfortunately- but I am a bit miffed at the length of the thing. Yes, I know you guys get really into it live (I imagine everyone on the net by now has seen the "Locust Star at Ozzfest" videoclip) but c'mon, 58 minutes? Really? 6 songs?? Is it really too much to ask for, I dunno, 8? Not entirely sure if Neurosis were still a full touring band back in '99, but there's no excuse, really. Don't be lazy and play a bit more! There's a fair few bands that are much older, tour all the time and have no problem smashing through 15+ songs.
Stuff is intense, though. The claustrophobic mix helps a bit, but there's a lot of DEEP MANLY FEELINGS being emitted here, there's no doubt. Locust Star as expected crushes, it's a bit slower than the other live version I've heard, but that massive riff around the 5:30 mark will always cause me to lose my shit. Hugest riff, and a real simple one too- amazing what three or so chords (and overwhelming volume, of course) can do in the right context. As mentioned, most of the songs here deliver on the intensity and do a good representation of the studio material. They're the usual slow, brutal and completely inaccessible grinders that Neurosis were all about at this point of time; not something to get fans into the band, perhaps, but live albums never are.
Honestly I'm not entirely sold on the point of this release, it really does sound a lot like the album versions, a few subtle changes in riffs here and there but that's about it. Get this if you're a massive fan.
