An compilation of "1996 Live In Japan" and "Closing the Chapter" (Paradox Live album). This is the first time these tracks have been issued in the US. Presenting US fans with a glimpse into the experience of Royal Hunt l... more »ive.« less
An compilation of "1996 Live In Japan" and "Closing the Chapter" (Paradox Live album). This is the first time these tracks have been issued in the US. Presenting US fans with a glimpse into the experience of Royal Hunt live.
CD Reviews
Better Live than studio
D. Haslam | Pottsville, Pa. USA | 05/03/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Royal Hunt has produced a great live cd here,along with Porcupine Tree's Coma Divine, the best live rock available on disk..I hope people get a chance to hear this remarkable group..Rock is alive and well ,on this disk...Symphonic progressive rock, Heavy and beautiful it's all good."
Excellent Voice, great concert!
J. C. Edwards | Corona, CA USA | 02/11/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"D.C. Cooper has one of the best voices you will ever here. I also have this concert on Dvd, it is outstanding."
Excellent live collection.
Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 08/30/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Royal Hunt's 2-disc release Double Live in Japan is a live retrospective of the band's time with vocalist DC Cooper. Recorded before the band fired the amazing vocalist, this double album is the only chance most of us ever had to hear what Royal Hunt with DC sounded like live. DC's voice is so clear and powerful live, and has this emotion that the studio discs just don't catch. He really shines when performing.
The first disc is a collection of songs that were previously available on the band's previous live release, the import-only 1996. The second disc, also previously released, is the band's Paradox - Closing the Chapter album, a live performance of the band's Paradox album in its entirety. The first CD is the better of the two, as it features songs from the band's first three studio albums. Hearing DC sing songs from the albums the band made prior to his joining them is just a real treat. They perform a great mix of material from Land of Broken Hearts, Clown in the Mirror, and my favorite album - Moving Target. The Paradox disc, while still a great live performance, lacks the variety and crowd interaction that was present on disc 1. It's still great stuff, and classic DC Cooper; just not as exciting as the first disc.
Given that the material on Double Live in Japan was already available, at least overseas, I have to assume that this package was intended for American fans that wouldn't typically be able to acquire the earlier import versions. Casual fans should be pleased with this release, but die-hard Royal Hunt or DC Cooper fans owe it to themselves to seek out the 1996 live album to get the best possible live performance.
"
Hard to believe; absolutely amazing
Justin Gaines | 10/24/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As I found myself growing up, I came to realize that live recordings(cassette,record, even CD)never appealed to me. If it wasn't the studio version, my judgement on the recording was usually negative. Royal Hunt has shown me what a fool I have actually been.
On this double live CD, one cannot debate the fact that this group of musicians were meant to work together. From the opening of 'Flight' to the final track on disc two, 'It's Over', I found
myself shocked at how clear and detailed this music is to the studio versions on their previous albums, 'Paradox' and 'Moving
Target'. D.C.Cooper's voice is mesmerizing and at the same time, able to command and blend in perfectly with Andre Anderson's haunting keyboard arrangements. And although at times I would
like to compare this band with Yngwie Malmsteen's(whom I have
developed much respect for in the past), Royal Hunt seems to
capture more of a mood and intensity that Yngwie misses occasionally. The overall effect of this recording(and Royal Hunt's two previous albums 'Paradox' and 'Moving Target') is pure power,hope, and an emotional force which cannot be explained.
It saddens me to hear about D.C.Cooper leaving the band, but it makes listening to these CD's all that much better.It also disappoints me that we have to listen to Royal Hunt in Japan when they could probably shame the 'American music scene' swiftly playing live here.
If you're ready for real music again, and live music at that,
pick up this rare treasure. Progressive metal has a new leader.."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1