By: Victor Van Ommen
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 24/02/2017
Label: Tee Pee Records
“Live at Roadburn” depicts Death Alley as more than just a good live
band that gets the crowd going. The record puts the band's best foot forward,
and by allowing the listener to repeatedly dive into the jams and feel the chemistry, Death Alley’s
talents as musicians get pushed to the fore.
“Live At Roadburn” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1). It’s On
2). 666666
3). Feeding the Lions
4). Supernatural Predator
The Review:
Death Alley has been putting in so
much time and so many miles since their 2015 ass-kickin’ debut album that they
could easily pass as veterans of the scene. In these few short years, Death Alley
toured the hell out of Europe, visited the Roadburn Festival twice (three
times? four?), took a trip across the pond to visit both coasts of the United
States, and most recently hit the road with some local heroes for a successful Motorhead
Tribute Tour. In case you missed any of that –though I’m not sure how you could
have – have no fear because Death Alley is about to release “Live
at Roadburn” on February 24th and it’s a scorcher.
The main difference between seeing Death Alley
in a live setting and listening to its documentation on your couch at home is
context. In person, you’ll knock back a couple of beers, get tossed around the
pit and feel the band's sweat rain on the crowd. It’s a rock and roll
extravaganza that you’ll share with those in attendance, all of whom have come
out to the show to let loose of the daily grind and boogie down. I know, that’s
usually the point of any rock show, but Death Alley is one of those
bands that manages to open up a line of communication with everyone in the
crowd, even those all the way in the back.
At home, however, the live documentation is a whole
different kettle of fish. From the comfort of your couch, “Live at Roadburn”
depicts Death
Alley as more than just a good live band that gets the crowd going.
The record puts the band's best foot forward, and by allowing the listener to
repeatedly dive into the jams and feel the chemistry, Death Alley’s
talents as musicians get pushed to the fore. A solo here, an unexpected fill
there, a tight transition everywhere; no matter what, these guys are locked
into their Death
Alley trance. The word trance might be a strange adjective to apply
to an upbeat rock band, but at 4 songs (one of which is a cover, two of which
are new) and 44 minutes long, “Live at Roadburn” certainly lets
the mind drift.
Opener “It’s On” starts with singer Douwe
sarcastically asking the crowd “are you ready?” Fuck no, they’re
not ready – not for what’s about to happen at least – but that doesn’t matter
because the band sure is ready to bring it. The song’s midsection and back half
are all about the guitars, which blend nicely into the eight-plus minute
instrumental cut that shows why Death Alley brought along their friends Ron
van Herpen (Astrosoniq)
and Jevin de Groot (Múhr) along for the ride. A 22 minute version
of “Supernatural
Predator” follows, demanding as much attention as it does on the album,
but it’s the “Feeding the Lions” that has the band looking forward. This
song, with its rolling rhythm and a pissed off Douwe in your face, is a great
way to both close a set and get the fans excited for the come-on-get-to-it
already sophomore record.
A good live album is something that’s hard to come by.
In order for such an album to hit the mark, the band in question needs to be on
fire the night of the recording. Everyone needs to be locked in, the energy needs
to feel right, and most of all, someone needs to record the set in such a way
that it translates well to an in-house hi-fi set. If that’s what you’re looking
for in a live album, then do yourself a favor and track down a copy of Death Alley’s
“Live
at Roadburn.”
“Live At
Roadburn” is
available to preorder/buy here
Band info: facebook
