Superb live album!!! And the best aspect of the whole thing is that it came during a time that many so called experts had written off Godsmack from the first league of US modern metal. Eat their dust now, as fellow Americans say. “Live & Inspired” is the band’s first official live recording after a 15-year career.

The album was recorded in…Detroit Rock City (as frontman Sully Erna so exciting screams 3-4 times throughout the concert), the crowd creates an electric atmosphere and the band delivers a great set list (although we would have liked to listen to much more stuff).The climate during the performances of the classics “Awake” and “The Enemy” cannot be described…it’s absolutely mayhem! As for the instrumental “Batalia De Los Tambores” (catchy title, ain’t it?), well…it takes us on a journey down to Amazon (the river, of course).

As for all of you out there who wonder what the heck “inspired” has to do with the title…let’s just say that there is a second disc which features cover versions of some of Godsmack’s influential groups. Most specifically, we get to listen to a truthful rendition of Floyd’s timeless…“Time”, a harder version of Beatles’ “Come Together” (that resembles of Aerosmith’s take, actually…), a satisfying attempt on Walsh’s classic “Rocky Mountain Way” and an UNBELIEVABLE piano-only version of Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters”.

Godsmack is back with a vengeance; better and heavier than before, doing what they know best: delivering a highly energetic, kick ass show!

Highlight: I am still trying to figure out where I have seen the art concept of the cover sleeve…maybe Kamelot’s live album…I don’t know…
 

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