Cirith Ungol | Live At The Roxy | Metal Blade Records

 

 Cirith Ungol, formed in Ventura, California, in the early 1970s, are among the originators of what would become known as epic heavy metal. With their first full-length “Frost And Fire” in 1981 and the cult classic “King Of The Dead” in 1984, they forged a unique sound combining traditional heavy metal, doom, and fantasy-laced lyricism, topped by Tim Baker’s distinctive shrieking vocal style. After releasing four albums and disbanding in 1992, they remained a revered underground name. Their unlikely return in 2015 led to the release of “Forever Black” in 2020 and “Dark Parade” in 2023, reaffirming their legacy with new strength and purpose.

“Live At The Roxy” captures Cirith Ungol in 2024 performing in a packed, electric setting at one of Los Angeles' most iconic venues, celebrating the release of “Dark Parade.” This is not a loose jam or nostalgic greatest-hits exercise—it’s a disciplined, energized document of a band that has sharpened with age. The two-disc CD portion and full concert DVD offer a complete rendition of “Dark Parade” followed by an extended run through their classic material, spanning four decades of music.

The “Dark Parade” set is presented with authority and weight. Songs like “Relentless,” “Dark Parade,” and “Distant Shadows” are delivered with clarity and conviction, confirming their rightful place in the band's enduring repertoire. The live renditions do not depart far from the studio versions but add presence and power through Tim Baker’s caustic vocal delivery and the tight rhythmic interplay between Robert Garven on drums and Jarvis Leatherby on bass. Armand John Anthony and Greg Lindstrom’s twin guitar work is fiery, keeping the melodic drama of the material intact while driving it with intensity.

The second CD, focusing on older material, provides a near-complete survey of Cirith Ungol’s vintage sound. Songs like “Atom Smasher,” “Master Of The Pit,” and “Frost And Fire” are met with enthusiastic audience response and delivered with surprising vitality. Garven was right when he said the band may be playing tighter now than they did in the ‘80s—the precision and stamina are apparent throughout.

The DVD is a welcome addition, not just as a visual archive but as a means to observe the stage chemistry and the crowd’s engagement. The direction by David Brodsky and Allison Woest avoids gimmicks, allowing the music and performance to speak on their own terms. Lighting and camera work are direct and unobtrusive, which suits a band whose impact comes from the weight of their songs rather than stage antics.

The presentation is also notable. The cover art features “Demonslayer” by Michael Whelan, again linking the band visually to the Elric mythos that surrounded their early records. The booklet provides insights, quotes, and context that longtime fans will appreciate.

“Live At The Roxy” feels like a necessary milestone for Cirith Ungol, not just marking a recent creative high point but also affirming their live power for new audiences. With few live albums in their discography, this one holds weight—both as a performance and as a documentation of a legacy still in motion.

Score: 8.5