Live - Five.Bolt.Main

Having risen from the ashes of Flaw in early 2005, Five.Bolt.Main released their debut album, Venting, late that year. But before the bells rang in 2006, over half the band bolted on the eve of their tour. At this point, three members of Main's opening act, Alston, stepped into the breach, in what now is obviously a permanent realignment. Considering the upheaval, it was probably wise to keep the band on the road throughout 2006. This kept sales of Venting ticking over while introducing the new lineup to fans around the country. And it also gave Main the opportunity to record Live, which basically re-presents Venting on-stage. But that's only the half of it, for the new Main are harder, edgier, and more aggressive than the old lineup, soldering metal to their former sound. Even so, "Broken Compasses"'s majestic passages still flood forth, "Slip" sounds even Cream-ier, and "Seem to Be Fine" is awash in emotion. All told, the band perform eight of Venting's tracks, then toss in two new numbers, the metal-goes-melodic "Just My Luck" and the moodily atmospheric ballad "Only the Strong." Fans of the early lineup and their debut album now have fair warning of which way the band's heading, it may be too nu-metal for some, but surely not for lovers of the harder end of rock. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide