LIVE AFTER ALL

OVERHEAD is among the essential Finnish prog-rock bands that have started their careers at the dawn of this century. I'm not happy with the way their style has turned more metallic (Of Sun and Moon, 2012, clearly isn't my cup of coffee), but this live DVD filmed in 2009 was a great enjoyment for me. It's very well done technically, with excellent multiple camera work and beautiful light setting. The place is Poland's Katowice, where there have been several prog festivals that have produced good live DVD's for a big number of interantional prog bands. A true European Prog Haven?

I started the viewing from the extras. The interview of vocalist-flautist Alex Keskitalo is amusing to watch. He deals with the band's progress in a charming way which is both informative and sympathetic (see Easy Livin's comment on it too!). The separate tracks from various gigs, mostly from France, are not as professionally done as the main concert but I appreciate them as bonuses, at least the ones that widen up the song selection. A special mention goes to the performance of 'Konevitsan kirkonkellot', the famous PIIRPAUKE number based on a traditional piece.

There's also a well written band biography, a photo gallery (of the Katowice concert) and a minimalistic but nice cartoon video for 'Butterfly's Cry'.

The main concert features material from Overhead's second and third albums. The latter, And We're Not Here After All (2008), marks the shift towards the heavier style - or "mellower" according to Keskitalo, which I don't quite understand. The Norwegian ULVER is mentioned as an influence of that style. A pity that Zumanthum's (2002) highlight epic is not on the set. But to my pleasure it became obvious with this concert that Metaepitome (2005), which I hadn't listened to before, is clearly their best album. The show begins with the gorgeous 19+ minute title epic. The most impressive track is the 16+ minute closing number 'Dawn', a Floydian Neo Prog epic. I deeply enjoy the atmospheric guitar and keyboards in it.

Keskitalo is indeed a naturally charismatic performer who shines in the center of the music's dramatic power, even without any overblown theatrics or fanciness. As an encore the band offers the KING CRIMSON classic '21st Century Schizoid Man'; I daresay this extended version is the most impressive I've heard! In total, this is among the finest concert DVD's I've come across for a long time, and undoubtedly the best ever by a Finnish band. Warmly recommended if you enjoy bands such as ARENA who mix Neo-ish and Metal-oriented Prog.