Even those of you who still do not have a clue, the title says it all. It’s the first review I make of this kind of live release and I hope it will be the last. The fifth live recorded album of the General’s band captures his appearance at the Roman Amphitheater in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (what a persistence with the former Eastern bloc …) on September 18th last year and the presence of 2,500 audience under the pandemic of Covid-19. The truth is that from the first shots and photos, no protection measures were applied, since although the small arena was left empty, there was no concern about the virus anywhere in the stands.
I always like U.D.O. live shows, and this one is not an exception. Classic setlist, mainly based on the promotion of his last studio album “Steelfactory”, from which we listen to six songs, with a little surprise from “Timebomb”, as well as the typical yet pure gems, of the days of Udo in Accept, “Balls To The Wall “,” Metal Heart “,” Fast As A Shark “and ” Midnight Mover”, one of the rare times played by U.D.O..
“Live In Bulgaria – Pandemic Survival Show” is a very good live album, but apart from that, we should not overlook some facts. I may adore The General and the vast majority of his releases, but after a certain point people gets tired with his live releases. His ranking in metal today doesn’t justify the release of a live album after almost every studio release, there’s no reason to do so. He is one of the most consistent musicians towards his audience, which has been shrinking for many years, and I don’t think that by doing so offers anything to himself, but also to the people, except of course to the die-hard fans. But can only them support what he does?
