When it comes to purchasing music, live albums are not usually at the top of my list. If I want to hear live music, I’ll just go to a concert.  However, when I found out Thousand Foot Krutch was releasing a live album, I had to get it. Good thing I did.

 

A definite benefit of live albums is that they contain all of the band’s greatest hits and this one’s no exception. Filmed and recorded in their Canadian homeland, TFK rocked the faces off 20,000 fans at the Rexall Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta, and gave concert-goers an experience they won’t soon forget. 

 

Kicking of the show with “Welcome To The Masquerade,” frontman Trevor McNevan gets the crowd going right off the bat. With grungy guitars and beats that make you move, TFK has the uncanny ability to energize even the most introverted of fans.

With songs like “Move”, “Falls Apart”, “Scream” and fan favorite, “Rawkfist,” crowds young and old, big and small, can’t help but throw their fists in the air. Even the mellower songs including “What Do We Know” and “Already Home” have their place, refocusing the audience on the main purpose of TFK’s ministry: to give fans encouragement and empower them to be who God made them to be. Closing the show out with “Puppet,” TFK takes fans back to the band's beginnings and sends them off with ears ringing and fists pumping.

 

Listening to a live album is one thing, but actually being able to watch it firsthand from the comfort of your own home is another. You can literally experience a TFK concert without having to go through the hassle of purchasing tickets, finding the venue, jostling to see over the tall guy in front of you, and making the long drive back home. All can be achieved without even getting up from the couch.

 

The DVD itself is well-produced and conveys the live concert experience well. One benefit of a live DVD is the onstage aspects and angles cameras capture that you just can’t get from being in the audience. The visual effects displayed from stage during the show are awesome and even better live, I’m sure. Besides the usual lighting displays and background video that accompany most concerts these days, audiences get to experience some pretty awesome pyrotechnics. How can fire not be involved when performing a song titled “Fire It Up”? It just wouldn’t be right! It’s also fun to be able to see and hear the crowd participation throughout the live performance, making you feel like you’re a part of it.

 

I’m surprised Thousand Foot Krutch hasn’t made a live CD/DVD before now, but it was worth the wait. This is actually a great way to introduce future TFK fans to the band and get them excited to experience the music firsthand next time they roll through town. Whether you gather your friends or just rock out on your own, Live At The Masquerade is a great live album from one of the best live bands out there.

 

Thousand Foot Krutch has been touring and playing in front of audiences in all sorts of venues for 15 years, so they know how it’s done and how to do it well. I’ve seen these guys live a number of times and they always put on a great show. Where other bands may not be able to replicate the sound heard on their records in the concert setting, TFK has no problem doing so. The vocals and instruments are spot on and sound just as good live, if not better. This live CD/DVD combo is great for TFK fans, especially those that love the live performance.  However, nothing can beat actually being there, so if you haven’t seen these guys live, you’re missing out!