I’ve not got a lot of love for live albums. There are the exceptions Agnostic Front – Last Warning, Motorhead – No Sleep Til Hammersmith and a handful of others, but in general I’m not a fan. You are never going to fully capture the intensity of a show on disc. With that said this album is awesome and fully captures the intensity of a show on disc. Having been lucky enough to catch Strife firstly in 1994 with Sick Of It All, then in 1996 with Sepultura and on this particular tour, I can attest to their live prowess. Anyone who has witnessed Strife in the live environment probably has the scars to prove it.

Recorded in 2005, to accompany the forthcoming DVD release, at the legendary Troubadour in Los Angeles, home to many an 80’s cock rock, coke snorting, Jack Daniels sinking, night of debauchery, the band open a near perfect set list with Waiting from In this Defiance and you can almost smell the blood. With Grey and Will to Die (minus the terrible moaning from Chino Moreno) following in quick succession, there’s no let up for that crowd. The heavy as hell Rise Again, the opening track on what was at the time, their comeback album Angermeans, is giving an airing, with the rest of the show split between tracks from the bands first two untouchable records. The album ends with What Will Remain, just to ensure, that for the people who were there, this show will live long in their collective memory.  With the band far from over and looking to release new material next year, you can still get to see this hardcore juggernaut pummel a crowd near you, but until then get this CD/DVD so you can enjoy the Strife live experience, without needing a visit to A&E…..Chris Andrews