On June 16, 2024 I witnessed an outstanding performance of Karnataka at De Pul in Uden (see review). It was part of the three concerts in the Netherlands for their Requiem For A Dream UK/European Tour 2024. Next to Uden they also played concerts at De Bosuil in Weert and at De Boerderij in Zoetermeer. The latter concert hall was also the setting for filming and recording their entire performance that evening for the eventual release of a live CD, DVD, and Blu-ray. Now, at the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026, this important physical document of the band's history has finally become available. And what a fantastic live document it has become! It truly is what I could only have hoped it would be. It's simply amazing! The band calls this live release Requiem For A Night. The title is, of course, based on the title of their last studio album, released in 2023, with the title Requiem For A Dream. And naturally, this masterpiece takes center stage during this concert in this Dutch venue, known here as the Progressive Rock Temple of the Netherlands. Requiem For A Night, the new live in concert film and audio is out now on Blu-ray, DVD, Double-CD and Download. So, it's available for every audio medium. How beautiful could you possibly want it to be? Simply perfect! Those who prefer the physical version with discs and beautiful booklets will find what they're looking for. But even the modern proghead who prefers a download on their phone will get what they want. So, everyone's happy. Personally, I'm more of an old-school fan and love to hold the product in my hands. Maybe even smell it. Thanks to bandleader Ian Jones, this was made possible, as he sent me both the double CD and the Blu-ray for review! Let's start with the double album. It's beautifully designed with a fold-out Deluxe Digipak containing both discs. But that's not all. There's also a 12-page booklet. It features beautiful photos taken during the concert and, of course, the credits to everyone who made this concert possible. Now to the audio and the track list. The audio blasts from your speakers or headphones. So, few complaints there. The track list is also excellent, and thankfully, it's the same as the one from the concert I attended in Uden. This means almost two hours of fantastic music, focusing not only on their aforementioned latest album but also on songs from their rich past. A past in which many of the band's singers serve as a figurehead, alongside their beautiful vocal contributions. I won't name them, but current singer Setari stunningly performs all the swaggering parts of her predecessors and, of course, their current work as well. So, two thumbs up for her superb vocals are definitely deserved. But that also goes for the musicians who share the stage with her. The fantastic rhythm section, consisting of the aforementioned Ian Jones (bass & bass pedals) and the much younger Jack Summerfield (drums & percussion), and of course, those responsible for the tasteful instrumental parts on guitar and keyboards: Luke Machin and Rob Wilsher, respectively. Together, they ensure that the nearly two hours of live music become an unforgettable audio experience. And the best is yet to come... For those who, like me, are completely crazy about live concerts on Blu-ray, this concert recording is a real treat. Featuring state of the art concert lighting. Furthermore, the concert was filmed in beautiful 4K detail with a 30-camera production team. John Vis has once again done his utmost to keep everyone on the edge of their seats. They make it almost impossible to go to the restroom or get a drink or a snack while watching this fantastic live recording. So, make sure everything is ready before pressing play. After that, it's practically forbidden to leave your chair or comfortable couch. You're simply drawn into your television during this two hour long magnificent concert. A concert which starts by seeing the members coming out of their dressing room, walking towards the stage. At times, it feels like you're right there on stage among the musicians, peering over their shoulders at the beautiful performances of each instrument. The close-ups are truly beautifully filmed and edited. There are no quick cuts or guitar or synthesizer solos to miss. They've truly captured the details in the final mix. Also, the presentation between or during the performed compositions is well done. Featuring additional atmospheric videos, drawings or pictures. Like used during the epic Requiem For A Dream, which lasts over 25 minutes. Or the images of the waves in Heaven Can Wait, or when they played the folk-like Gathering Light. Images that only enhance the atmosphere of the concert. So, thumbs up for these people too. I don't want to say much more about the songs you'll enjoy. For that, it would be good to read my aforementioned concert review (see review). But it's clear that the focus is on the latest studio album and is further expanded with songs from their entire musical legacy. A so-called cross-section of their work. The track list tells you what to expect, and true fans definitely know which album these songs are from. Therefore, I won't mention any musical highlights, because the entire concert is a major highlight, although the aforementioned epic Requiem For A Dream, All Around The World and Forsaken are definitely among my favourites. Performed by a band that was truly in top form during the aforementioned tour. The band was really at the top of their game. That's for sure. For those who don't have enough of watching the entire concert the Blu-ray and DVD both feature bonus extras: a half hour 'on the road' documentary and the stunning promo video for The Night's Dance in both standard and widescreen versions. Most of all the 'On The Road' mini-documentary is rather entertaining. You see them right from the start of the the tour until they do shows in Scotland. In between you can see them enjoy watching a racing car amongst other things. You can see footage from driving from venue to venue and soundcheck's done in Zoetermeer, Verviers, Uden and Weert. Seeing Ian playing the piano and the bass pedals. Or even seeing Luke enjoying riding a mini truck. So much to enjoy next to the whole concert. Like most live releases of Karnataka, Requiem For A Night is again a superb product and therefore a must have for any fan of Karnataka. The double live album sounds amazing but it is most of all the concert video on Blu-ray which is of an absolute high quality. Team John Vis pulled out all the stops again to achieve the best possible result. I can only compliment them on their excellent capture of the musicians' musical talents on stage. Filming five musicians on stage never ended in failure. The team can be proud of their achievement. The editing, in particular, is truly beautiful. Thank you! Therefore, highly recommended to everybody who enjoys fantastic melodic progressive rock performed by some amazing musicians. So only the highest rating of five stars is very well deserved. Words could again hardly describe what I went through while watching the entire concert. I am just speechless about this awesome live experience! Grab it while you can. You won't regret it! ***** Henri Strik (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
