Live shows, gigs, concerts and festivals. Does anyone remember those?! It's just over a year since I last went to one, bar the odd live stream. So, what can we do to plug the black hole in our lives that is present after the lack of live music? Well, Danish metallers SOLBRUD have offered up a live record, "Levende I Brønshøj Vandtårn" (if anyone could inform me how to pronounce that, I would be very grateful!).

The artwork is nothing particularly special, bit of 3D geometrics. Opening the record is "Øde Lagt", the 11 minute epic is exactly that. It has everything and then a bit more. The tracking is dense and thorough, with the flow making each section noticeably different from the last. My father always said that any good Rock song has wailing guitars, and well they are a plenty in "Øde Lagt". As the track starts to fade out, at about the 9 minute mark, there is some absolutely divine guitar playing! The gentle soothing music just flows as it reduces down into a lone guitar, leading us into "Skygge" which just continues on with instrumentals, I can see the show in my mind, the mist, the low lights and the ambience. It gives me chills. "Menneske" acts as a link track, building up to "Sortedøden" another 11 minute epic, full of intensity and energy. The depth of this track is so impressive, behind the aggressive blast beats is a sweet and hypnotic melodic guitar line again. It takes the music to another level for me, I like the aggression, the energy and intensity, but the subtleties and intricacies really create something special .

"Klippemennesket", another over 10 minuter that delivers another fantastic performance. I simply cannot get over the melodical elements. This track especially is a great example to show to anyone who would dare say that Metal is 'just noise', the musical knowledge, the delivery and structure is impeccable. Now, I just want to jump to the final track. They're always a great reflection of a fantastic show, be that either the encore of the show or even just the finale of the main show, and "Besat af Mørke" is really a fantastic example of that; straight up unrelenting and unadulterated aggression and energy. From start to finish it just attacks you and you want to start up a pit inside your living room (no matter how much your partner tell you it's a bad idea, or cat tries to attack your legs). It really leaves you breathlessly wanting more.

Overall, absolutely fantastic. A great way to give something to fans who are seriously thirsting for some live music. I love Black Metal, and SOLBRUD delivered something that is not just traditional Black Metal, but something you could almost describe as Melodic Black Metal. It is superb and I will be sure to be checking out more of their repertoire.