For close to 10 years Slipknot have been parading their unique brand of musical mayhem across the world. Beginning modestly with their independent debut Mate, Feed, Kill, Repeat and then exploding onto the metal scene with their powerful major label debut with their platinum-plus selling self-titled album. From then on, they just bulldozed their way through the extreme metal world, while keeping a nice hold of the mainstream record-buying public with two more stunning albums of musical intensity that pushed the limits of what quality extreme music can deliver when done properly. The masks and the stage show were just icing on the cake.



So now they have decided to release their first live album in a big way. The classic double-live format. With 24 tracks over the course of two discs, this is a lot for the Slipknot fan to chew on until the next full-length is delivered. First off, the production is sterling and Colin Richardson's mix job is top notch. In fact it's mixed so clearly (especially for a 9-piece band) that this could easily pass off as a pro-sounding studio album. The drum mix is glorious in and of itself. This is literally the best-sounding live album this writer has heard in years.



A message from Ozzy begins the first disc and is followed by The Blister Exists. Probably the best choice as an opener. Clearly showing off the skills of the three percussionists. They go on to hit the classics (SIC) and Disasterpiece in fine fashion. Before I Forget and Left Behind follow as the first radio songs to be delivered and they show off the bands' ability to even pummel the the more melodic songs into huge extreme metal anthems. Other highlights of the first disc include the old classics Liberate, Purity and Eyeless as well as Joey Jordison's amazing drum solo and ends with Eeyore, a song that only showed up on the repackaged version of their self-titled album.



Disc 2 roars in with the scathing Three Nil but wanes a little with The Nameless and Skin Ticket. After that though, the fun really begins with Everything Ends, which is followed by classics such as The Heretic Anthem, Spit It Out, Wait & Bleed, Surfacing & People = Shit to name but a few.



The only real complaint I have with this album is the lack of one of their best tracks. My Plague shows up nowhere in the set and is a glaring omission. A minor complaint though, considering it's chalk full of all of their other masterpieces.



A live album definetly worth buying, even for those who are not diehard Slipknot fans. Repeated listens is a must with this truly great release. Now when's the next album coming out?