LIVE AT ORION

4.5 stars. "Recorded live without overdubs, this release accurately captures the fine balance between improvisation and structure that we have been pursuing for over 15 years. Fittingly, as our tenth release, it is a look back and an overview of our music past and present." A historic couple of nights at the Orion in Maryland as DJAM KARET performs for the first time outside of California. September 25 & 26 to be exact in 1998. The music here is taken from those two nights. To really over simplify it, the music here sounds like a cross between KING CRIMSON and PINK FLOYD. A lot of atmosphere created by the guitars but also by the electronics and effects.

The earliest album I own by this band is "Reflections From The Firepool" from 1989 and we get two tracks from that album but I love that we get three songs from "The Ritual Continues" that I don't own from 1987 because those three tracks are so well done. In fact the opener from it "Technology And Industry" was a song featured in their live set for years. The bass to start this song is to die for. Same tone on the closer "Run Cerberus Run". The other two tracks from "The Ritual Continues" are "Familiar Winds" and "Shaman's Descent" both killer tracks. Love the wind blowing for several minutes to start "Familiar Winds".

Over 74 minutes and eight tracks. I really dig the improv the longest piece at over 14 minutes "Jamin' At Mike & J's" which they compare to "Still No Commercial Potential" an album I adore. They get heavy on "Province 19: The Visage Of War" from "Burning The Hard City". "Forbidden By Rule" the lone track off of "The Devouring" was often the opener for them.

The classic lineup is here, the four piece of Ellett, Henderson, Oken Jr and Osborne. Apparently Mike Potter from Orion Sound Studios was a huge factor in this event happening. It may have lost money but man what an incredible live document that we the fans can enjoy for years to come. Amazing sound quality as well. I can't get enough of this style of music to be honest.