Search - Corrosion of Conformity :: Live Volume

To all the free thinkers and beer drinkers....

Mark B | Yardley, Pa. United States | 08/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The above quote appears on the inside of the album and describes exactly what this recording was intended to be- a killer live album for the TRUE COC fan. From the opening sludge of "These Shrouded Temples" thru the bluesy "Senor Limpio" and "Who's Got the Fire" to the crushing "Vote With a Bullet" the album is a near perfect representation of the band's career. Oh, did I happen to mention "Albatross" is included? I saw these guys open for Megadeth in 95 and Metallica in 97 and this album might as well have been recorded then. One thing that always bugged me with live recordings was a band's tendency to play most songs faster and sloppier than studio versions, a tendency COC nicely resist. The guitar tones are crisp, clean and punishing, with just the right amount of harmonics and missed notes to make it authentic. The songs from "Volume Dealer" are more in your face here, especially the riffs and tone. Pepper and Woody absolutely jam on the bluesier numbers, Mike Dean is as solid as ever, but I was totally impressed by Jimmy Bower's drumming on all tracks, as he sticks to the original fills and does not overpower but drives the band. I guess my only complaint would be Peppers vocals sounding flat at times, and the sloppy picking on the closing track "Clean My Wounds". To those who think COC softened or sold out with "Dealer", I think this album will have you agreeing with Pepper's quote, "other bands are afraid when they see us on the bill, 'cause they know when we go out there we'll stick them in the dirt." Cheers to the band for one of the best live albums I've bought in a while. And go get "Black Label Society's" live one, too!!!"

Superb, one of the best live albums ever recorded

N. Durham | Philadelphia, PA | 09/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Who is calling C.O.C. sell outs? Are you kidding me? C.O.C. has more integrity than quite a number of other bands do, don't dare say that C.O.C. is going the way of Metallica. Anyway, now onto "Live Volume". Recorded in Detroit on April 20, 2001, this live album showcases C.O.C. at they're best. Gone is long time drummer Reed Mulin, who is replaced here with Jimmy Bower (Eyehategod and member of Down with Pepper Keenan), and Bower doesn't miss a beat here. C.O.C.'s sludgy riffs and Sabbathy melodies are brought to life live in beautiful form here, especially on "Diablo Blvd.", "Albatross", "13 Angels/7 Days", "Vote With A Bullet", "Zippo", "King of the Rotten", and fan favorite "Clean My Wounds". The "13 Angels/7 Days" medley is the standout track here for me, it is beautifuly pulled off and shows just how great a band these guys are. The only flaws here are that some of the songs aren't paced at the speed that they are on the studio albums, and Pepper's voice gets a bit flat at some points, but other than that, this is a nearly flawless live album. Also recommended is the companion concert DVD which is also called "Live Volume", any C.O.C. fan will dig that as well."