My Dying Bride — The Voice of the Wretched

My Dying Bride has got a long and doomy track record. Over the years they have built up an impressive discography, which so far has not really included a true live album. Of course there was the bonus "live at Dynamo" disc with a re-release of 'The Angel and the Dark river' and have we been allowed to gasp upon their gig in Poland on their 'Darkest eyes' video (and also the Dynamo performance + some extra live songs on the later DVD release). But a real live album did not see the light of day so far.

So, while rumours on the day of the gig where about, I was pretty surprised that when they finally released this live album that it was of a gig I actually attended! After spending a few listening sessions with my ear pressed closely to a speaker to see if I could hear myself on the disc, I decided give up on my vein enthusiam and simply enjoy this release.

If I compare this to the rather weak recording of the Dynamo festival this disc is much better, and more professionally done. The band, unlike the Dynamo recording, were aware this time around that they were being recorded for possible publication, and gave the best they could. Of course the "age old" issue of the missing violin comes around the corner again, but all in all I think MDB solved it tactfully with subtle keyboard use. It is not a big loss.

The band covered most of their discography pretty well, although they did not play any songs from their debut album (first time ever I saw them not ending with 'The forever People' as encore. Although I must admit it was the first time in 5 or more years I had seen them again). Still the band played a well-balanced set of both old and new songs.

Shamefully Peaceville did not manage to get the track-listing correct at the back of the CD. Something you would imagine is not that hard as Aaron even announces most songs! In my humble opinion however, this is a very sloppy mistake from a label that has been re-releasing tons of best-off's and hardly releases any new material. Has the once mighty Peaceville now truly become a cash-in-label feeding of fans gullibility?

Regardless however of whatever motives Peaceville had with this release, the sound quality is good, there is a real live atmosphere and the track-list is highly enjoyable. As such I would consider this a worthy addition to the collection of any die-hard My Dying Bride fan. Of course if your are still struggling to get all their studio albums together, you might want to concentrate on that first.