This live album, released sometime between their much lauded self-titled full-length CD (2000) and 2002's rather poignantly titled "Graveyard Poetry" (both released on Meteor City Records), provides clear indication as to why Cleveland, Ohio's Abdullah have built such a strong profile as a non-compromising, doom-soaked, blues driven, heavy rock combo.
Recorded live at Peabody's in their hometown, the album's proceeds kick off vehemently with the inspiring "The Path To Enlightenment" highlighting the band's penchant for forging behemoth, Sabbathesque riffs beneath a tapestry of soulful vocals courtesy of the excellent Jeff Shirilla. Abdullah's gargantuan riff juggernaut continues with "The Earth's Answer" (off their self-titled 2000 album) which features some invigorating Geezer Butler style bass fills from Jamie Walters in the track's mid-section. Alan Seibert's lead guitar work is equally impressive here as the band gradually plunge into a memorable and painfully doomy outro riff. After the rather lacklustre "Conundrum", Abdullah's doom metal mammoth picks up with the simply superb "Visions Of The Daughters Of Time". Shirilla's vox remains faultless throughout this track which certainly provides a lesson or two for those young stalwarts out there striving to conjure a doom metal oriented guitar sound….look no further than Abdullah! "Now Is The Winter" sees the band alter between trippy stoner territory and traditional doom rock. Things are brought to a close with the relatively uptempo "In The Belly Of The Beast". If the outro to this track doesn't propel you into a spontaneous headbanging frenzy then I guess something is definitely amiss with your doom metal credentials.
This album captures Abdullah at their best and what's more the sound on offer is markedly good quality particularly considering this is a live album and I'm sure there wasn't any tampering with overdubs here!! Total playing time circa 35 minutes.