I know it: Merg & Been is mainly known for reviewing bands that don’t exactly hold Christianity in high regard, and of course there are good reasons for that. Personally, I’m not someone who takes the concept of religion particularly seriously either, but despite their original Christian roots, this band has still managed to earn a place in my cold heart.
The first time I witnessed Trouble live was in 1990 at Dynamo Open Air in Eindhoven. Three years later, it happened again at the same festival, by then relocated to a different site, this time as co-headliners alongside Mercyful Fate, which provided a rather striking and somewhat ironic context.
Trouble was formed as early as 1978 and can certainly be counted among the founding fathers of doom metal. Their debut album appeared in 1984, followed a year later by the now legendary The Skull. Their real breakthrough came in 1990, when Rick Rubin produced the self-titled Trouble album and gave the band a massive, organic sound. The vocals of the late Eric Wagner benefited immensely from this production, standing out more than ever. By this time, the band had largely abandoned their explicitly Christian lyrical themes and began moving toward a more psychedelic direction, an approach that would fully blossom on Manic Frustration and Plastic Green Head.
A few years ago, Dutch label Hammerheart Records began reissuing Trouble’s complete discography. Judging by the continued expansion of these reissues, the campaign has clearly been successful. This live album is included as a bonus with yet another reissue of the 1990 Trouble album, now released as a double LP and double CD.
The recording itself comes from a radio broadcast that aired across the United States in 1990—from coast to coast, as the announcer proudly states at the beginning. What follows is an energetic and enthusiastic set, with Wagner repeatedly shoving the microphone into the crowd’s throats. The sound quality is excellent throughout and captures the band during one of their strongest periods.
As mentioned, this live recording is an added bonus to the reissue of Trouble, so if you don’t already own that album, this edition is well worth picking up. I already have both the original pressing and the previous reissue on my shelf—but I suppose I can always make a bit of room for this one as well.
85/100
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