UK's Firefest seems to be gradually establishing itself to a celebration Melodic/Hard Rock event for Europe (at least). Many many renowned bands of the genre - including BONFIRE, GOTTHARD, WINGER, WIG WAM, DANGER DANGER, TNT, FIREHOUSE and PINK CREAM 69 - have stepped in the fest's stage, which is now counting three successful installments taking (now) place in Nottingham's Rock City. HOUSE OF LORDS - on top of 'em all, when it comes to instrumentation (only?) - decided to release there their first ever live CD, recorded prior to their interesting 2006's World Upside Down.
Recorded at their headlining performance at Firefest II in Nottingham in 2005, Live In The UK presents the (then) reuninon made with the (almost) original band line-up of James Christian, Lanny Cordola, Ken Mary and Chuck Wright. No, no Gregg Giuffria also here (ask 'em what's going on with his involvement in the band the last years). The tracklist can seriously act as a live 'best of' compilation for this fabulous US atmospheric Hard Rock act counting 18 years of existence (also featuring numerous splits, reunions and lineup alterations). The mood is fine, the performance is beyond any expectation - tell me about it! - while Christian (performing in spite of breaking several ribs in a home accident some days earlier) presents some fantastic singing bringing tons of eerie throughout the whole album. I strongly doubt this is a 100% live recording I'm now hearing, but - in any way - it is the taste that is rather good.
In terms of cuts, the setlist could not be better! The 1988 incredible self-titled debut offers Pleasure Palace, I Wanna Be Loved, Edge Of Your Life, Love Don't Lie and Slip Of The Tongue, the 1990 Sahara follow-up displays the same-titled cut, Chains Of Love and Can't Find My Way Home and 1992's Demons Down album brings out Talkin' Bout Love and 2004's The Power And The Myth serves Mind Trip, All Is Gone and The Rapture. Havana is added as a bonus studio track - a collaboration of Giuffria and Christian with Tim Pierce and Mark Spiro, previously existing as a Japan-only bonus track in the "The Power & The Myth album.
Bang, bang! HOUSE OF LORDS broke loose in Nottingham city that night and it's a good move to depict this playing in this CD. Repeating the suspicion this album is ont 100% 'live', let's override the doubt and propose this album no fear involved. HOUSE OF LORDS prove their majesty and the grading would even been higher if Giuffria was included.