Release Date: 1996 (Recorded: 5 November 1994)
Song Count: 7
Duration: 1 hour, 12 minutes, 14 seconds
Rating: 6.7/10
Description:
Song Count: 7
Duration: 1 hour, 12 minutes, 14 seconds
Rating: 6.7/10
Description:
Another band with a rocky past on the front page, today we're checking out Buried Alive, a live album from the progressive rock band Änglagård, and their last release until their initial disbandment in 1994. The album was recorded shortly before, and was released after the fact two years later during the band's off-time, after which another six more years would pass between its release and the band regrouping. Since then, three more albums - both studio and live - have come out from the group, and though music releases remain scarce, they have dedicated their time to travelling around and performing in shows across their home continent.
With a distinct 90's progressive rock edge to it, Buried Alive's soundscape is practically defined by its lack of dedication to one theme per track, constantly hopping between different grooves, ideas and even time signatures. A good example of this is the track "Jordrök", with its implementation of 4/4, 6/8 and 7/8 at different points of its long runtime and it alternating between nigh-silent pauses and bouts of energy coming through. These, along with the long duration of every track, all exceeding well over 9 minutes bar for the introduction, are trademark patterns of the avant-garde music scene Änglagård have firmly slotted themselves into, and as such give out as much enjoyment of their contents as they can under the progressive rock framing. While the style here can repeat itself into indifferent stagnation after a while, there regardless is plenty to pick out and take satisfaction in, from the freely flowing guitar riffs to the unique feeling singing in some of the tracks, as provided by vocalist Tord Lindman.
Though it is admittedly easy to check out of Buried Alive's musical offerings after it has played for some time, the aspects of note it does swing in with make it a qualitative and respectable live album. The talents of every instrumentalist playing on stage shine through with the lengthy, expansive songs that bring forth a somehow simultaneously classy sound and unbridled energy to the entire experience. Perhaps this is not a record for when one is really in the mood for something short and light, but it certainly does make for a decent long-form listen, at least in the view of yours truly.