Despite being together for 40 years and putting out 15 hugely successful studio albums, it may come as a surprise to hear that Caerphilly’s finest, , had never put out a live album – until now. The album in question ‘The Holy Bible Live’, as the name suggests is a live celebration of their seminal 1994 record and the last album to feature . The album captures the band’s 2014 shows, performing the album in full at London’s Roundhouse. The sound and tightness of the trio and smaller venue perfectly suiting the record’s punkish angst.
This set came in between the mostly acoustic and Krautrock and European-influenced , two recent high points for the Welsh titans, so it is something of a full circle moment for them to revisit one of their crowning glories. Even coming 20 years after the original record’s release, James Dean Bradfield and co are on fine form, having lost none of their potency or power in the years since its release, even if their lineup and the tone of their records have changed with the times.
It’s clear from the opening riffs and spoken-word intro of ‘Yes’ that this is a set to remember as the trio bring their defining record to live in a manner befitting Edwards’ legacy. For all their growth and artistry in the years since their 90s heyday, there is something thrilling about them revisiting their roots and still being able to knock it out of the park. With so much of ‘The Holy Bible’ left off setlists in regular tours, there is a real kick in hearing these songs live for many at the gigs in 2014 or listening to this record, this would be a first time hearing them in this kind of format.
It is a reminder (if one is needed) of prowess as a guitarist; hearing the gnarly nature of ‘She Is Suffering’ both in the riffs and solos is a real treat to listen to. Even if they have leaned away from the rawness of this record, his ability to tear through the material live remains unblemished.
The atmosphere is electric throughout; the crowd clearly revelling in this rarest of experiences to embrace these tracks live. There is rarely a note out of place across the 13 track setlist, epics like ‘Archives of Pain’ and ‘The Intense Humming of Evil’ suiting the echoey sound of The Roundhouse, a testament to their greatness, the latter containing a heartfelt tribute to Edwards.
‘The Holy Bible Live’ represents the Manics at their best and most honest. While they may have gone on to fill stadiums and arenas in the 30+ years since, it is a record scorched into the fibre of their being and Edwards legacy still looms large. This is a triumphant celebratory live album that captures the full record in all its glory, a fitting tribute.
8/10