After Crying are probably Hungary’s best-loved progressive rock band, but with this album they have moved a long way from how they have sounded in the past. Although the title gives the impression that this is a ‘live’ recording, it is very much a studio work, with many layers. The album starts with the much-repeated line “A new world’s coming and the old one’s gone”. Is this a statement about their new musical adventures or it is a reference to their new singer? After Crying have always had a more orchestral feel to their music than many, but with this album they have managed to keep that feel intact yet also bring in a much more modern commercial feel to their music.
I kept thinking of Styx and ‘Kilroy Was Here’ as this has some similar musical threads. The music is the important part, with most of the album being instrumental, but it swirls and drives around so that the listener is always interested and intrigued to see it will lead. It is an album that I have enjoyed playing when I have the time to listen to all of it quietly, not being distracted, as this is an album to get lost in. They may not have as much impact in the UK as some, but fans of prog need to search this out.

Kev Rowland