Band: Theatre Of Tragedy
Title: Last Curtain Call
Label: AFM Records
Distribution: Rock Inc. / Bertus
Release date: May 20th 2011
Review: live-DCD

No need to introduce this formation, being one of the protagonists of the international Gothic Metal scene, and being one of the strongest bands within this genre from Norway.
A live-DVD and CD (not their first, by the way) with material from the far past (we’re talking about half of the nineties) and the recent past, done with precision and craftsmanship, persuasion and joy (aha, the latter being some contrasting lapsus, a cynical play of words).
We didn’t receive the DVD, yet I guess the quality of both visuals and sound will be all right.
The double-CD is a surprise, because originally it was meant to go differently. Last year, the band announced to release a live-DVD which would include a bonus-CD with about ten tracks from this live gig, yet apparently both of them will be released separately, the CD including sixteen songs instead of ten.
The sound quality is splendid, as if it were recorded in a professional studio. It has been mixed with professionalism; no background noise, no instrumental failure. Of course the latter has to do with the experienced crafts(wo)manship of the members. What this sextet does is the clear result of almost two decades of activity (seventeen years, to be precisely). Besides, the performance is rather back-to-the-roots-oriented for being rather Goth / Doom / Death-inspired. Therefore this album will not only please fans of the latest albums, yet those who did prefer the earliest efforts will be satisfied as well.
Fare thee well, Theatre Of Tragedy…

--/100

Ivan Tibos.