Down "Diary of a Mad Band"

I've heard of this band, and I saw they had a new record out, so I looked it up, and found out that it was a live album. To make matters worse, I had never actually heard any of their stuff before this, but I thought I would give it a try. I mean, what is a better way to find a new favorite band then by listening to greatest hits or listening to a sample of songs from all of their records. This can also give insight into what a live show from them is like, and i think I would enjoy seeing them live and listening to their records. "Losing All" was the first song, and they played great. No one really wants to be a "Lifer" in jail, and he dedicates this song to Dimebag Darrell and "all of our brothers that have lost their way along the f***ing path of life;" his words exactly. He also encourages everyone to jump around and this song has a nice southern groove to move around that has the drums speed the tempo, and leaves for a break to jump.Then it goes into a screaming/ drum hiccup which sounds great as well. I think the crowd appreciated the performance, You can still hear the approval, and he dedicates this next song to the crowd. "Lysergic Funeral Procession" starts as a funk-metal workout with those cymbals getting a warm up, and then eases on the funk and ends metallic; a short,but sweet song. The next song he tells everyone to scream out loud and let everyone know because they are taping live and says he loves England before joking around and starting the walk to "Rehab," which has a funky southern metal groove, "and I'm drowning through sorrow/ it won't deny me " as he screams with true feeling. He said the performance of the song was "Ab-so-lutely Bad-A--!"  The next song he says we're having an awesome time asks if everyone is having a good time, and "not to be motherf***in' generic or anything This is just a question I have to ask you, you know, and let me get this f***in' straight, once are you havin' a good f***ing time?" The next song, "Temptation's Wings" can have you smoking the good stuff, especially to that slow groovin' solo, and maybe that's why they have wings to lift you high. Maybe that is also why you see the "Ghosts Along The Mississippi." He has a great connection with the crowd and the intro proves that. But, can we "Learn From This Mistake?" The track goes right into the song and wastes no time with it's slow groove; a nice change of pace, and one that has Anselmo forewarning those who don't "Believe me, all my friends, in the ending of the story/There's no junkie out there with a happy ending/It consumes you, and haunts you like the devil/It's the art of the process that kills off all the rebels." A trult heartfelt song, and he introduces the next song by saying it has not been played in a looong time, oh "Hail the Leaf." I think this song is about weed, and the title makes sense to me know as he says to put your hands up for the marijuana cultivators. Those drums just make the song sound so huge."New Orleans is a Dying Whore" has a call and response between Anselmo and the crowd in parts of the performance, and the lyrics speak for themselves in "The 1800s, before the inception/Of modern day ideals/Fake grip of appeals/Straight to the street run, no barroom virgin/Double vision, cocaine/To a whorehouse of pain." Rumors are annoying, especially those that do not go away, and "Lies (I Don't Know What They Say But)" has the start-stop drums directing the guitar to get some cardio by going up, and down. There is this talking aside which then leads to a change, and now there is a brewing change at 5:12. Underneath Everything "my spirit rise

like days the world forgets - down the/Drain - laid to lame/A fool-ass hearty bliss/Borderline suicide  /Celebrate before my death/Your promised land divide/That's why the world lies." But don't give up "The Seed" is next. "this is a fn blast one more time I wanna thank every motherf****r,every band, every band that thinks their doom because they tune down and play slow; it's not what it's about brother, you gotta have a talented motherf****r like me singin. Ha," and some more great monologue from Anselmo until the song finally starts at 2:36, and "The Eyes of the South" are ready to see. He is very appreciative of their appreciation of their performance. He dedicates the next track to Mike Williams as he sings another heartfelt song in "Jail," and he says " f*** that clappage, just listen, If you want to smoke up i'd like to smell it" as they play acoustic with the timpani (?). "Stone The Crow" is a slow southern, cymbal slamming track. The last song he tells them to smell the person next to them and that "hopefully its a chick," and asks the crowd to decide on the last song. "Bury Me In Smoke," but I can hold my breath; depending on the amount I don't think I can hold out that long, but I will try. IfIHadToChooseOnly7SongsIWOuldChoose: Losing All, Lifer, Lysergic Funeral Procession, Rehab, Temptation's Wings, Learn From This Mistake, and Lies (I Don't Know What They Say But).