MOTHERSHIP's "Live Over Freak Valley" is slow, sludgy and full of an energy and weight that can only come from a live performance. The raw, bluesy edge of the group, mixed with a psychedelic influence of the space-age lyrics and imagery as well as the incredibly fuzz-driven guitar tones give this album a very hard edge.

The tracks all follow in the footsteps of the classic rock traditions; killer blues-rock riffage, pounding four to the floor drums and a rumbling bassline topped off with a swaggering vocal melody which could have come out of any time since the late 60s. The influence of groups like BLACK SABBATH, MOTORHEAD, and ZZ TOP is incredibly evident in MOTHERSHIP's sound, and makes this an incredibly enjoyable release.

The seven tracks that this Texan trio have offered here were recorded at their debut European gig at the German Freak Valley Festival and show just how easily they won over the audience with their steamy heavy rock and high energy playing perfect for the sweaty clubs and bars of the tour circuit; as well as the banter they get going with the crowd.

All of the tracks hold incredibly tight grooves, which is something that many of the newer retrogressive classic rock style bands overlook. Here, MOTHERSIP show that they have this groove in spades. This is best exemplified by their turbo charged boogie number "City Nights" which changes their standard lyrical content from intergalactic and spacey themes, to the standard topic of a night out on the town.

While the production and performance isn't necessarily the best here, what MOTHERSHIP have captured is a high energy rock set from a reasonably unknown band absolutely killing it where they should be: onstage. If this taster is a true representation of MOTHERSHIP's live set, then is a group that any self-respecting rock fan will be urged to go and see.