"My wish finally came true late last year. Lamb of God, one of modern metal's best and most promising bands, released their first live album. This Virginia five-piece are actually somewhat boring to watch on stage, but, as this album proves, they still put on a great live show. And at least they're not like some other bands (not mentioning any names, here) who rely too heavily on visual props to distract the audience's attention from a lack of musical talent. "Killadelphia," which was released separately as a CD and a DVD package, features six songs from their most recent album, "Ashes of the Wake," four songs from "As The Palaces Burn," four cuts from their debut, "New American Gospel," and even a tune from an album they released under the name Burn The Priest. "Killadelphia"'s sound quality is great, and the band's musicianship is, of course, nothing less than superb. These songs are just about perfect, and even when the band seem a bit hurried (as in track four), they sound great.
Chris Adler drives the rhythms with insanely fast, pummeling drum patterns, but the guitarists (Willie Adler and Mark Morton) lead the charge, with catchy, flattening, thrash-inspired riffs which flow like water from a fountain. Meanwhile, frontman Randy Blythe is his usual angry self--he growls and bellows throughout, and he only sounds human when he's talking to the crowd (which he does quite a bit, saying things like "let me see your f-ckin' horns!," "make some noise!," and "here we go!")
The album begins the way many live discs do, with the crowd chanting the band's name. But, after that (the "Intro" track), Lamb of God launch into the chug and churning "Laid To Rest." Randy growls throughout this song (he even omits the spoken word part at the beginning), and the crowd joins him in his yell of "See who gives a f-ck!"
After track four (which features a perfectly recited guitar solo), Randy introduces the band, tells the crowd about the DVD they're filming, and tells them to go crazy. "Now You've Got Something To Die For" (which is very loud, here and features steam-rolling guitars) follows, and then Lamb of God proceed to play "11th Hour." This is an ultra catchy "drinking song" (as described by Randy), which features an almost mind-boggling give-and-take between the guitars and drums.
Song number seven, "Terror & Hubris In The House Of Frank Pollard," kind of falls flat, but this track is still worth listening to, because (when it's over) Randy disparages nu-metal and says "Let me hear you say `hail true metal!'"
The next song, the super heavy "Ruin," is very musically complex, but it's pulled off flawlessly, and is complete with a ripping guitar solo and a killer breakdown.
The slower, churning "Omerta" comes next, but things pick back up again for the blistering rendition of "Pariah," and the walloping, double bass and bottom heavy "The Faded Line."
"Bloodletting," the only song on here from the Burn the Priest album, is absolutely brutal, and the last track worth mentioning, "The Subtle Arts Of Murder & Persuasion," keeps the listener's blood pumping, with a pounding, jackhammer beat.
So, this is a great listen and a wise buy for any type of Lamb of God fan. If you're new to them, this is like a Greatest Hits album, so it makes for a nice sampler; and, of course, "Killadelphia" is essential if you're already a LoG or metalcore fan."
Killadelphia rocks!
alouicious | 01/06/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A must have for any LOG fan- and if you aren't an LOG fan, you will be after hearing this!"
Same as the DVD and still kickin' ass
W. Moore | Chicago | 12/13/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This cd rocks. Anyone who's seen Lamb of God live or owns the live DVD version of this knows what kind of intensity and agression they bring to their live shows. This CD sums that agression up nicely. All of my favorite LOG songs are on here, Highlights include The Faded Line, The Subtle Arts of Murder and Persuasion, What I've Become, Black Label, Ruin and 11th Hour. What impresses me the most is how well they duplicate the studio sound on stage.
Cheers Mother F***er this is 11th Hour!"
The Aggression Is So Live
Baskoro Siwi | Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia | 02/03/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Here it is..for the first time i can listen the live cd from heavy metal band from start to finish. What i feel when i listen it is i couldnt stop bangin my head though i try to stop it. The energy so live..you just feel it if you dont see it..i am not say that i am as diehard LOG's fan, i say it what i feel when i listen to it.This cd is cool..the sound of the instrument is so real..clear and good production..i cant' say it anymore...just buy it,and this is new stand of the next heavy metal generation and come from Richmond Virginia..This The Real New Wave Of American Heavy Metal..If someone out there know about guy from Lamb Of God please tell them there is diehard fan from Indonesia waiting for their asaault in his country for the rest of his life...STAY METAL"
Incredible
Leonard McGee | 07/02/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Most live albums and songs are usually considerably worse than the actual studio produced songs and recordings. This is one of the exceptions. The songs on this CD, in my opinion, are just as good as the recorded ones. However, Lamb of God has always maintained that they want to be known as a live band so the production on their albums is always a little lack luster but I think that just adds to the raw brutality that is Lamb of God.
This CD really showcases Randy's vocal talents as well as the rest of the band's skills. However, Randy really stands out to me. Listen to the studio recording of Ruin and then listen to the live version. The opening howl is so much better live which I find hard to believe. It seems like a howl like that would be better when it has the chance to be worked on. Randy's screams will simply send chills throughout your body.
Overall, this album is probably a good place for people to start listening to Lamb of God. This is pretty much what the actual CDs sound like so it's just like a greatest hits album."