Rome – Live In Kyiv 2023 (Album – Trisol)
Genre/Influences: Chanson, Dark-Folk, Folk-Pop, Industrial.
Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.
Background/Info: The title of this work speaks for itself; this work features songs that were played by Rome this year in Kyev (Ukraine). It’s not the first time since the war started that Jérôme Reuter went to Ukraine to play live.
Content: The work features 22 songs from Rome’s impressive discography. Multiple songs from the last studio-album “Gates Of Europe” have been played but still other songs from previous works and even ‘early’ tracks. Rome has evolved throughout the years; moving from Martial and Neo-Folk towards more styled and Dark-Folk/Chanson music. The engagement has never been different throughout the years and comes through on this album where you can hear the interaction with the audience.
+ + + : It becomes very rare I review live albums but this one has something different. There’s a very special context of an artist who decides to play live in a country involved in a horrible war. Rome wants to bring these people some hope and relief… just for a moment wherein they can forget atrocities of war. But that’s not really true as the songs (cf. “Going Back To Kyiv”, “The Ballad Of Mariupol” and especially “Yellow And Blue”) are dealing with war but are giving people a boost to hold on and keep on fighting for their liberty! The tracklist features some of Rome’s ‘greatest’ songs from the past years. The live versions are cool and Reuter sings passionately.
– – – : You hear a short cut after each song which in a way ruins a little bit the live impression.
Conclusion: A brilliant live work with a clear message of hope for the Ukrainian people and all those who believe in freedom.
Best songs: “No Second Troy”, “Hearts Mend”, “Yellow And Blue”, “Uropia O Morte”, “One Fire”, “Solar Ceasar”, “Swords To Rust”, “The Brightest Sun”, “Kali Yuga Über Alles”.
Rate: 8½.
Artist: www.romepage.org / www.facebook.com/romeproject
Label: www.trisol.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Trisol-Music-Group/104166526285471
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