Heavy/Power Metal German formula (something conceived upon influences inherited of JUDAS PRIEST and ACCEPT, and built by acts as HELLOWEEN, GRAVE DIGGER, RUNNING WILD, RAGE and others) is something that still gives excellent fruits. It's just a matter of putting heart on the music's conception, and things will work out as they must. But even with bands that never have the commercial success they deserve, it doesn't mean that they can't live on, as the German quintet REBELLION, and celebrating the band's 22th anniversary, here is "- X - Live in Iberia". The quintet was born back in 2001 by two former members of GRAVE DIGGER, so it's that melodic and energetic combination between Heavy Metal and Power Metal that is usual for German bands, with the difference given by the band's own personality (yes, they have one clearly pulsing on their music).

And a live album can be a test if a band is good enough out of the studios, and they're a live band, because things work in a great way: the energy, the playing and singing, and everything is really of a band that's used to play a live show. And their musical work really fits on it, allowing a massive energy to flow from the speakers. Yes, it's a very good live album, indeed. "-X- Live in Iberia" was recorded at Paberse Club in Valencia, Spain, on May 15th, 2022. The work on studio (yes, even live albums must be worked on a studio) done by Uwe Lulis (the band's bassist and founder) worked as producer, and did the mixing and mastering as well. All to keep things clean and defined, able to be heard and understood easily, but without destroying the live feeling (obviously some overdubs were done, but not endless ones).

In a traditional sense, "-X- Live in Iberia" covers the greater part of the band's career, with emphasis given to songs of "We Are the People" (their latest release at the epoch of this show, and of course it's a part of their tour of the album), so old favorites and younger songs are side by side, showing 15 songs, with the better moments being presented by "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité" (the energy if amazing, with very good vocals), "Sweet Dreams" (a more climatic song with contrasts on the interpretation of the vocals, and excellent work done by bass guitar and drums), "Sweden" (a typical Heavy/Power Metal song that really works perfectly for live shows, with great guitar riffs), "God of Thunder" (a perfect live hit, with excellent tempos an a brutal and oppressive energy, and what lovely guitar leads), "Odin" (another massive amount of energy flow from this one, with perfect harsh tunes of the vocals), "A Fool's Tale" (full of very good and charming melodies), "Kiew" (the discuss on its beginning is excellent, and the 'fuck you, Putin' deserves applauses, but the raw and oppressive appeal of this one is hard to resist to), "Arise" (this one has a more accessible approach, being clearly a hit, indeed), and on the live hits "Born a Rebel", "Ala Germanica" and "The Clans are Marching".

All that's left to say is that "-X- Live in Iberia" is really a very good live album, and it attests that REBELLION is alive and still relevant.