Reviewed by Brian McGowan KMG's acquisition of yesterday's labels has resulted in some fascinating releases. This one is a real curiosity. Back in 1993, Intense put these three bands into the studio "to capture first takes" of some of their better known songs. Ergo -neat oxymoron here - a live studio recording. Within a relatively limited range, Tourniquet (an eight-album band) show an attractive versatility, often in the same song. "Phantom Limb", "Ark Of Suffering" and "Stereotaxic Atrocities" all twist and turn through tortured thrash metal meanderings, and breathless speed metal passages, with only the track titles giving us a clue to the indecipherable lyrics. Deliverance (nine albums) are much in the same mould, though perhaps with a more epic vision apparent in their rumbling speed metal. However, the quality of the material is variable, swinging from the tired, plodding riffs of "No Love" to the robustly melodic power metal of "No Time". Last band, Die Happy (three albums), are more heavy rock than metal. It is unfortunate they are consigned to third billing and only three tracks, as they excel in sub-Zeppelin blues-tinged rock, sprinkled with sturdy melodies.
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