What do you get when you gather Akerfeldt, Nyström (a.k.a. Blackheim),
Swanö, Renkse and Axenrot on a Wacken stage to play old school Swedish
death metal? A bloody great live CD/DVD set, that's what. Bloodbath's
_The Wacken Carnage_ is the supergroup's first live output, and if you believe what Akerfeldt says during the gig, then it might also be their last with the Opeth frontman -- and what a shame that would be. If any doubt remains after listening to the CD, the DVD will prove that not only were the fans won over by the performance, but the blood-soaked musicians were also apparently enjoying themselves.From the buzzsaw guitar sound to the impeccable drums and powerful
vocals, everything is just right on this live record. The quality of
the songs on offer helps, of course, and every musician's skill is
evidently far beyond reproach. My only doubt before hearing the record
concerned the live sound quality, but it also turns out to be
excellent. From "Cancer of the Soul", "So You Die" and "Soul
Evisceration" to "Brave New Hell", "Furnace Funeral" and "Eaten",
Bloodbath present the listener with a dozen tracks that epitomize live
Swedish death metal excellence, all finely captured. Not to be missed.