UNQUESTIONABLE PRESENCE: LIVE AT WACKEN

I am the first one to review this album so I will start with some buyer's guidance first. This is a double CD with the live album from Wacken on CD 1 and a best-off studio compilation album on CD 2. The latter one probably as a bonus CD although this is not stated. Unquestionable Presence: Live At Wacken is a bit of a misleading title, but in a positive way.

The sound quality of the live album is pretty good. It has not been overdubbed or doctored in the studio, I guess. Maybe they should had done it because the sound is a bit thin now and then. It is an OK gig. Someone has even hailed it a legendary gig. The excitement of seing Atheist for the first time in 13 years has clearly enthused people. That's good.

The compilation CD (disc 2) is a run through of what their record label think is their best songs. I have to admit that I have a soft spot for this band. But I am not a fan and I am not that enthusiastic about this band, twenty years after I discovered them for the first time. Their ubertechnical stuff is simply more like a musicians stuff than a casual listener's stuff. Hence their popularity among musicians. But the Piece Of Time songs are still good songs.

2.5 stars for the objective quality or 4.5 stars if you are a Atheist fan. This album is the best present any Atheist fan can get.

3 stars (being slightly kind)