They deserve the applause they get
Opening with an almost AC/DC guitar style Fony bombard your ears with 'Makeshift 1 and 2' which after the initial thrust rely heavily on the vocals and drum work, which sound like thunder whilst the vocals are the storm that rages around you. These are particularly tight and produce a gut twisting effect- there's no doubt about the passion being delivered here. Part way through there is a shimmer of sound from the guitars that is a particularly good twist. 'January Zen' does have the ability to overwhelm but drifts in places where it could have been kept on track. The heavier the better is the direction these guys need to take.
With its mix of vocals laid over guitars that do what they and electricity were invented for; 'Emeritus' delivers the goods. Like a shot of some banned substance it hits your head to give a superb rush. The best number on this album is 'A Satire For The World' terrifyingly good vocals backed by awesome axe work.
There's enough muscle to the music here to make 'Big Arnie' turn pale with a bass line that holds its head up high amid 'bomb 'em to bits' drumming. 'I Matador' is announced as a new number and is a mixture of manic metal and rock riffs all held together by great vocals. Playing the crowd with shouts of "Who likes heavy metal?" they lead into 'F**king The Sentiment'; a number that has head bang, head beat, head bash written in blood all the way through it. There's a wall of sound that hits you like a cruise missile at the end of this number which produces chants of "Fony! Fony!" from the crowd- well deserved if anyone can still hear after the 'Operation Barbarossa' job.
'Chore Again' takes some time to get going and in comparison to what has just taken place is soft enough to ensure that no permanent head bursting damage will be done. Fine axe work compliments this number and hangs its jacket on equally good drumming. 'Whishlist, End' rounds off with the usual thank yous then plunges into a number that is very different to any of the others yet performed. This is a metallic kiss goodnight to the crowd.
As with almost all live albums you do not hear a voice of dissent from the crowd; let's face it, if you weren’t a fan you wouldn't be there, but Fony work hard on this album and deserve the applause they get.
With this album comes a DVD which has a mixture of staged and live videos. The live 'R.I.U.P.' and 'Nefer' will go down particularly well, but the Spanish TV Broadcast will bring a smile to your face as it seems from the crowd that they can't quite believe what has just rode in to town and turned up on stage. A great bonus from a great band.