Hallas Saga: Live At Cirkus

"On their 2015 self-titled debut EP, Hällas lay the foundation of the saga bearing the same name as the protagonist crusader as well as the band themselves, which later grew into a trilogy composed of the two last songs on the aforementioned EP and the two following albums Excerpts from a Future Past and Conundrum. To celebrate the completion of the trilogy the band decided to do a one-off show in front of a seated audience at Cirkus, a classic venue in Stockholm. Due to worldwide restrictions the show had to be replanned and postponed several times until it finally happened on April 10th 2022. After more than two years on hiatus and with the exception of a minor festival gig the year before, this was the band's first performance during that whole period, and it was by far the longest set to date in the band's entire career. All first three releases of the band were to be performed from back-to-back divided into two acts. Act I consisted of Hällasand Excerpts from a Future Past while Conundrum and two songs from their newly released album Isle of Wisdom were performed in Act II. For the first time people were able to experience these new songs live. Some of the older songs such as "Insomnia" and "Tale of a Tyrant" had not been performed for several years. "Strider" and "Blinded by the Emerald Mist" had never even been played live before. So Hällas fans from all over the world attending the show were in for an unforgettable evening. With this record you get a slice of that pie in the comfort of your own living room. So please have a seat and enjoy this time capsule, as it is a very good representation of how this band sounded live back then."

"Coinciding with their second run of North American dates, the eclectic Swedes have issued their first live album, recorded April 10, 2022 (after several pandemic cancellations/rescheduling’s), a one-off show that celebrated (not only their post-Covid return to the stage) but the three disc arc completed by Conundrum, thus closing that chapter of Hällas. Sort of odd hearing the applause between each of the eight tracks, but it was a seated/sit-down venue, bringing added prestige to the performance. The stage raps, invariable in their native tongue, have been edited out, for global audiences, thus some of the tunes fade to silence, before the next one commences.

While the current string of gigs will not approximate this running order, in any way (as it completely ignores the most recent Isle Of Wisdom CD), it's essentially a band approved primer on their early material. New fans can investigate past EPs, singles and the first two albums, in one fell swoop. Shame the visual aspect is missing, as the eye make-up and capes, as well as frontman/bassist Tommy Alexandersson's asymmetric presence truly adds to the "Unique" vibe. This set is a little more ethereal and keyboard oriented prog than the latest album. Still, it's great to hear live renditions of older cuts that might never get an airing overseas.

Actually, there's an explosion of applause to open the disc, no fanfare/intro, as the band kicks directly into "Repentance". Like most of their songs, there's initial lyrics, in Alexandersson's almost spoken word delivery, followed by an expansive instrumental section. Shame the folks had to stay seated, as the lively music makes one want to move: jump, sway, pogo, anything but remain motionless. Locking into their patented slow-to-mid-paced framework, "The Golden City Of Semyra" has an almost regal quality. A third of the way through, dominate keyboards pump new life into things. Changes in dynamics, often radical (from hushed voices to bombastic organ fanfares), are a key component of the Hällas sound." - Brave Words