Line Up: Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals , Marcel Jacob - Bass , Howie Simon and Freddie Åkesson - Guitars, Jamie Borger - Drums

Talisman is one of the fondest bands among the Greek crowd, and quite rightfully in my humble opinion. It is a group with at least three noticeable features. First, they started playing their melodic hard rock songs in the early 90s, in an era when melodic rock sang its swan song…at least for that time being! Secondly, they come from Sweden, which maybe had spawned in the past some excellent musical outfits of the melodic hard rock genre (Europe, Malmsteen, 220 Volt…), but lately has exported a new wave of death metal sound exclusively.

Thirdly, the lead singer post is occupied by non other than the restless, Jeff Scott Soto. Although, the past few years Talisman’s releases have been below our expectations, we never forget the importance of their first couple releases (Talisman + Genesis).

Frontiers decide to release a double live c.d., from Talisman’s performance in Club Mondo, Stockholm (1st c.d.) and Sweden Rock festival (2nd c.d.) in 2.003. The songs, in their majority are taken from the second, funkier period of Talisman and I must say that are not among my favorite ones and certainly not representative of a regular Talisman live set.

The production is not amongst the greatest of them all, and it seems that things could be better. It is one thing not to interfere and ruin the live feeling, and another not to do anything at all! I am of the opinion that this release is pointless both from the track selection point of view and the time mark. Talisman is a far better band and this c.d. does not do them justice.

Highlight: The live renditions of Ozzy’s “I don’t know” and Europe’s “Scream of anger”