Everyone’s perspective of what they enjoy while watching a live performance is subjective. Some like to have that big splash of energy being thrown at them, others simply like to watch a well-played performance by their favorite musicians. In rare cases, you get to have both moods in the same set, particularly when we talk about instrumental music and that is precisely what The Aristocrats bring in their latest live album Freeze! Live in Europe 2020. The trio composed of Marco Minnemann on drums, Guthrie Govan on guitars, and Bryan Beller on bass released a live album that showcases perfectly what is “The Aristocrats live experience” is. The combination of comical glimpses in their jamming sessions, lots of musical influences, and the extreme dexterity of each of the musicians in their instruments is the order of the day in their live performances and you can listen to all of this in this album.

The Aristocrats have developed a great musical relationship within them to the point that their jamming sessions in their songs sound like they’re having a conversation with each other using their instruments. The response time towards little cues that each of them do to incorporate an interesting line within their performance is beyond impressive. Their music also includes from very jazzy, smooth sessions to super heavy parts, like in the track ‘Spanish Eddie’ to funny moments in the track ‘When We All Come Together’, which runs perfectly into engaging with their audiences as they watch virtuosos in front of them. One of the highlights of the live album is Minnemann’s drum solos, particularly on ‘Get It Like That’, where he plays tribute to the late Neil Peart from Rush by playing some of the most famous drum lines from the Canadian drummer.

So either if you are a fan or if this your first interaction with The Aristocrats’ music, Freeze! Live In Europe 2020 is definitely worth checking out and enjoy how talented musicians take the most out of their instruments.

Buy the album here: https://the-aristocrats-band.bandcamp.com/album/freeze-live-in-europe-2020

8/10

WESLIE NEGRON