Reviews

No review of the Live E.P. can't at some point address the elephant in the room, so let's get it out the way before we begin. Why is one of the most recorded artists of all time, releasing nothing but an E.P. worth of live material when they probably have oodles of concerts that could be released in entirety instead? The short answer is 'Who knows"?. Jimmy Page has not addressed this in any way, and considering this E.P. is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of their best albums, 1975's Physical Graffiti, it certainly makes ZERO sense when at least a single - if not double - album of material could surely have been released? The tracks included are all part of concerts that were previously included on the DVD release of 2003, so the complete audio of these concerts exists. We may never know, and that is where we will leave the question, instead now focussing on what has been included. Leading with the tasty slide work of Page on the band's loose interpretation of Blind Willie Johnson's 'In My Time of Dying', the 1975 performance is pretty flawless, and the sound quality impeccable - with a new mix better than the DVD of years ago. It is an odd opener, as it isn't particularly energetic. Bonham's drum work quickly becomes the star here, as it often does - but John Paul Jones doesn't take a break on bass either, with his pulse driving the song. Next up is another 1975 performance with 'Trampled Underfoot', and again JPJ shows off his versatility - but this time on keyboard. Page plays a wild improvised solo that wraps the song up nicely. Fast forwarding to 1979 for the next two tracks we hear a more restrained Led Zeppelin. In only 4 years the band had become a very different animal due to personal events, and the Knebworth recordings were their first live shows in a couple of years. Robert Plant's vocals do not sound as sure of themselves as the earlier tracks, almost showing a distance to the material. 'Sick Again' is a ragged performance, with him semi-screaming in places rather than refining his vocals. Closing the E.P. with the epic 'Kashmir' is an easy choice, but the performance again sounds somewhat subdued and restrained. Both tracks sound like the band is trying to re-find the magic of playing together. Obvious short running length aside, it is another quality Led Zeppelin product, as only perfectionist Page would allow the release of. The first two tracks are the band in their barnstorming prime, and the second - only four short years later - sound like a professional, mature band. The contrast works well, but still would have worked better with more material to compare making this essential rather than a novelty.

With a lot of the heavy metal I have listened to in the past has been all aggressive fast paced, in your face rebellion that gives you the rush you need. ISIS was the first band I ran into that gave you the alternative somewhat. There is less a focus on lyrics and more so on the music itself and the play off between very heavy brick wall bashing insult on your ears to periods of reflection in a rolling, somewhat peaceful soundscape that leads you on a journey of something that is not so much complex to play but executed really well, presenting a challenge to the listener to sit back and enjoy. Panopticon is the 3rd release by the band. I did enjoy the first 2, but this one is regarded as their best effort. Right from the first second, the heavy guitars and deep growling vocals set you on a false sense of what you about to hear. And what you are about to hear is a track of a just brilliant landscapes of sound. Mid-paced, not threatening for the most part, but rewarding if you take a deep listen. Occasionally sprinkled with some distorted lyrics with perhaps an attempt to interrupt the music but fade away quickly. With most tracks clicking in between the 7 to 9 minute long, you get plenty of time to intake each track. Looking at specific tracks, 'Wills Dissolve' is a great example of building up a song into a crescendo that only last for the final minute of the song, but the lead up gave you a sense it was coming. Like in the middle of night at home, seeing the lighting and thunder slowly heading toward your hour. It arrives with authority and leaves as quick as it came but leaves a lasting reminder of what you just experienced. 'Altered Course' is purely instrumental but I call it out I guess due to the drum being so pronounced for most of the song as again it shifts through different levels of emotion. I will finish by saying that you do need to be in the mood and have the time to dedicate to this album in a single sitting. If you do, the reward is there for the taking.