Out of hell and reaching for heaven - A review of Enslaved's and Opeth's Live in Plovdiv

This interesting split release came along with the eighty-first issue of the great but expensive Prog magazine. It includes five live tracks recorded two years ago in Bulgaria where Swedish progressive metal quintet Opeth performed with orchestra. In addition to this, this release also includes a new song by Norwegian progressive extreme metal band Enslaved. Clocking in at about an hour of running time, the six songs basically promote a tour of the two bands by offering exclusive material.

This record has many positive elements going for it. First of all, it's a record with five exclusive live tracks by Opeth plus an exclusive video edit of a new studio track by Enslaved which makes this record valuable for collectors and fans. 

Secondly, with a running time just above one hour, one gets value for money with this limited release. The material is also so detailed and diversified that it requests multiple spins. This means that this release isn't just a nice gimmick but offers both quality and quantity. This output will keep you entertained for a long period of time.

Thirdly, the atmospheric, colorful and inspiring cover artwork is simply gorgeous and one of the most beautiful in Opeth's career. It would have been even better to offer a poster of this piece of art with the magazine. 

Fourthly, the sound quality of both the live material and the studio song is balanced and organic. I would even go as far to say that this is Opeth's greatest live record regarding production values. 

Fifthly, the set list chosen for the live concert is quite diversified as it includes five songs from five completely different records representing Opeth's evolution as a band. We get one track from the third studio record My Arms, Your Hearse representing the band's eerie early years, the title song from the sinister Deliverance representing the band's most acclaimed phase, another one from the highly atmospheric Ghost Reveries representing the band's middle years, one tune from the much calmer and traditionalist progressive rock release Heritage as well as one selection from the band's then-current release Pale Communion. This selection isn't only a perfect representation of the band's different phases but also a great introduction to the group for those who don't own any of its releases yet. 

Sixthly, the harmonious combination between Opeth's traditional soundscapes meandering between epic progressive rock with death metal outbursts on one side and decently employed orchestra on the other side makes the five live versions sound much more atmospheric, diversified and epic than the respective studio versions. Traditional rock instruments and classical elements complement each other perfectly. This combination sounds surprisingly balanced, fluid and organized. It sounds as if these five songs were always meant to be played this way. None of the tracks sounds overloaded. Opeth have achieved something many other metal bands such as Metallica struggled to achieve when combining classical music and heavy metal. Obviously, Opeth aren't Therion yet but the result of this collaboration sounds surprisingly strong. 

The seventh element that needs to be pointed out is the authentic live atmosphere of this release. We don't just get live versions of five songs but witness entertaining communications between Opeth's singer and the audible audience that give some welcome breaks after the long individual tracks.

The eighth and last but not least point that makes this release stand out is Enslaved's new studio track. It's a quite atmospheric, meandering and progressive track with a solid balance between dreamy interludes with choirs and fast-paced black metal outbursts. This combination is interesting enough to make me want to check out the band's new regular studio release.

On the negative side, there are only two elements. First of all, Opeth played a total of sixteen songs during the show two years ago, including eight with orchestra. The band should have released its ambitious project as regular live record with all tracks played that night or at least all eight songs performed with orchestra. On a side note, the missing three songs performed with orchestra are included on some limited editions of the last studio record Sorceress.

Secondly, the great cover artwork would have deserved a jewel case release with a small booklet with pictures from the show. The cardboard sleeve doesn't do this great release justice. If one takes into consideration the quite steep price of Prog magazine, it's not exactly a fan-friendly decision to only offer a cardboard format.

Still, the two negative points are only minor details while the eight positive points all contribute to a highly recommendable high-quality release for occasional and faithful fans and collectors. This release is the best is a highlight in Opeth's discography. the best split release I have come across this year and one of the greatest live releases of the last twelve months as well. Finally, the bonus track by Enslaved is very atmospheric and progressive which makes it exciting and promising regarding the band's new studio release.

Final rating: 80%