killadelphia

Killadelphia is an album version of metal band Lamb of God's concert in Philadelphia, October 2004, which was released by Epic Records as a DVD. It boasts the entire unabridged audio from the concert documented in the DVD of the same name. The CD was released on December 13th, 2005, available with a special re-release version of the DVD or by itself in conventional CD packaging.

It was mixed by Machine, who also produced Lamb of God's Ashes of the Wake studio album. The concert itself features songs from the band's first three studio albums, and even a song from the band's previous incarnation, Burn the Priest. Because it is a complete audio version of the concert, the CD is over 70 minutes long and the transitions between tracks are seamless.

[edit] Track listing
My wish finally came true late last year. Lamb of God, one of modern metal's best and most promising bands, released their first live album. This Virginia five-piece are actually somewhat boring to watch on stage, but, as this album proves, they still put on a great live show. And at least they're not like some other bands (not mentioning any names, here) who rely too heavily on visual props to distract the audience's attention from a lack of musical talent. "Killadelphia," which was released separately as a CD and a DVD package, features six songs from their most recent album, "Ashes of the Wake," four songs from "As The Palaces Burn," four cuts from their debut, "New American Gospel," and even a tune from an album they released under the name Burn The Priest. "Killadelphia"'s sound quality is great, and the band's musicianship is, of course, nothing less than superb. These songs are just about perfect, and even when the band seem a bit hurrie
d (as in track four), they sound great.

Chris Adler drives the rhythms with insanely fast, pummeling drum patterns, but the guitarists (Willie Adler and Mark Morton) lead the charge, with catchy, flattening, thrash-inspired riffs which flow like water from a fountain. Meanwhile, frontman Randy Blythe is his usual angry self--he growls and bellows throughout, and he only sounds human when he's talking to the crowd (which he does quite a bit, saying things like "let me see your f-ckin' horns!," "make some noise!," and "here we go!")

The album begins the way many live discs do, with the crowd chanting the band's name. But, after that (the "Intro" track), Lamb of God launch into the chug and churning "Laid To Rest." Randy growls throughout this song (he even omits the spoken word part at the beginning), and the crowd joins him in his yell of "See who gives a f-ck!"

After track four (which features a perfectly recited guitar solo), Randy introduces the band, tells the crowd about the DVD they're filming, and tells them to go crazy. "Now You've Got Something To Die For" (which is very loud, here and features steam-rolling guitars) follows, and then Lamb of God proceed to play "11th Hour." This is an ultra catchy "drinking song" (as described by Randy), which features an almost mind-boggling give-and-take between the guitars and drums.

Song number seven, "Terror & Hubris In The House Of Frank Pollard," kind of falls flat, but this track is still worth listening to, because (when it's over) Randy disparages nu-metal and says "Let me hear you say `hail true metal!'"

The next song, the super heavy "Ruin," is very musically complex, but it's pulled off flawlessly, and is complete with a ripping guitar solo and a killer breakdown.

The slower, churning "Omerta" comes next, but things pick back up again for the blistering rendition of "Pariah," and the walloping, double bass and bottom heavy "The Faded Line."

"Bloodletting," the only song on here from the Burn the Priest album, is absolutely brutal, and the last track worth mentioning, "The Subtle Arts Of Murder & Persuasion," keeps the listener's blood pumping, with a pounding, jackhammer beat.

So, this is a great listen and a wise buy for any type of Lamb of God fan. If you're new to them, this is like a Greatest Hits album, so it makes for a nice sampler; and, of course, "Killadelphia" is essential if you're already a LoG or metalcore fan. The latest episode of "Talking Metal" features an interview hosts Mark Strigl and John Ostronomy conducted with LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler. Topics include tattoo artist Paul Booth, the Download festival, Modern Drummer magazine, and being a vegetarian. The episode also features an interview Strigl conducted with THROWDOWN vocalist Dave Peters. The podcast can be downloaded at this location. iTunes users can also subscribe to "Talking Metal" for free at this location.

LAMB OF GOD's "Killadelphia" DVD was recently certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales in excess of 100,000 copies.

Released in June 2005 via Epic, "Killadelphia" consists primarily of footage filmed during the band's two performances at Philadelphia's Trocadero on October 16-17, 2004. Directing the shoot was Doug Spangenberg of High Roller Studios. Extras include hours of uncensored behind-the-scenes footage taken throughout the "Ashes of Wake" touring cycle.

LAMB OF GOD was nominated in the the "Best Metal Performance" category at the 49th annual Grammy Awards, which was held February 11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

LAMB OF GOD's latest album, "Sacrament", has sold more than 200,000 copies in the United States since its August 21, 2006 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD was produced by Machine (CLUTCH, KING CRIMSON, PITCHSHIFTER, EIGHTEEN VISIONS, EVERY TIME I DIE).