WAKING THE DEAD - LIVE IN JAPAN 2005

This is one of my all-time favourite records. Many of these songs surpass the studio versions. And on this live recording they use a monstrous three mellotrons ! You have to hear this record, it's absolutely incredible. I couldn't belive that it's been almost 8 years between live albums. Both are essential by the way. Of the 11 songs here 2 are previously unreleased, one is from "Vemod" and 4 each from "From Within" and "Gravity". Interesting that between the two live album that we get 6 songs from both "Vemod" and "From Within", while 5 are from "Nucleus" and 4 from "Gravity".

They start with "Monolith" the opening track on "Gravity" which is album they are supporting with this particular tour. Lots of power to begin with and the guitar is prominant. Vocals before a minute. Great rhythm to this one. The mellotron is fantstic before 3 minutes. "From Within" opens with a lot of tension until before a minute when it settles in. Vocals arrive with chunky bass. Cello 2 1/2 minutes in. Relentless drumming as the mellotron rolls in. It turns into a storm after 3 1/2 minutes. A hypnotizing beat goes on and on until a change 6 1/2 minutes in. Vocals are back 7 minutes in. "Kiss Of Life" opens powerfully with mellotron as vocals come in before a minute. This sounds so amazing ! The mellotron is all over this one. "Hole" opens with mellotron that is so moving to me. It settles before a minute with vocals. Kicks back in 3 1/2 minutes in with mellotron. When it settles again it drifts along beautifully until after 10 minutes then it becomes powerful again. Nice.

"SW4" is the only track without mellotron. It has this cool, groovy sound to it. Vocals before a minute, cello follows. A calm 3 minutes in before it gets full again. One of the previously unreleased tracks "Moons Of Mars" is simply three mellotrons creating massive waves for two and a half minutes and blending right into the next song "The Sun Absolute" an instrumental that builds and builds until the dam breaks and the mellotron flows. "Ricochet" is an all time favourite for me. It's so emotional and really it has to be heard to be believed. "Gravity" has lots of atmosphere and i love the vocals before it kicks into gear. Great rhythm when it does though. The guitar is ripping it up before 5 minutes then we get an extended instrumental section that builds to a powerful ending. "This Too Will Pass" is laid back and absolutely gorgeous 1 1/2 minutes in. So moving. It kicks into a higher gear 5 1/2 minutes in. This should be on one of their studio albums. "Sad Rain" from "Vemod" of course ends this record in style. Pure bliss for me. Cello is prominant on this song later on.

They list the actual songs they played in order on those two nights February 25 & 26 in Tokyo. Both nights ended with "Karelia". I wish they had used "The War Is Over" on this album, but that's a minor complaint. Hey maybe they'll use it on their next live one.