Boyd Rice and Friends- Baptism by Fire

Artist: Boyd Rice and Friends
CD Title: Baptism By Fire
Label: NEROZ
Reviewer: Matthew Johnson
Date: 1/12/05

This is actually a double-disk set in two separate formats: a live CD recording and a short concert DVD. The DVD material is worth having if you’re a die-hard fan, but the quality isn’t so good, and the numerous 1960s-era psychedelic effects can make it hard to watch. The DVD of Non live in Osaka (released on Soleilmoon Records) is a better bet, and also features commentary tracks. The CD portion, on the other hand, is the best live recording of Rice that I’ve ever heard. It’s cleaner than most, allowing the vocals on tracks like “History Lesson” and crowd favorite “Total War” to come through. The line-up for this show also featured Douglas P., so there are plenty of Death In June moments as well, like the gentle chimes and guitars of “The Reign Song” and the slow martial drumbeat of “World’s Collide.” Showing Rice’s gentler side makes for a much more interesting live album than his usual extreme noise onslaughts, which, though interesting, aren’t so easily distinguishable from their studio counterparts. Definitely a must-have for both Non and Death In June fans.

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