SBB - Behind the Iron Curtain (Metal Mind Productions/MVD)

It’s not easy to see SBB live on this side of the ocean. Their visits are very infrequent. This DVD is the only connection to the recent tour the band did in Poland and neighboring countries. The main focus of the concert is the new material from the excellent Iron Curtain album. The songs are working great in the live setting, and the band is in great shape. SBB unleashes some of their classics as well.

SBB is able to fully reproduce the sounds you hear on the album. It’s a great fact considering they are only a trio, and do not use any back up musicians this time around. Many of the songs are enriched with improvised jams. At times it’s hard to predict where the band will end-up with a song. On all occasions SBB is victorious in their efforts are they are well seasoned players who know their craft inside out.

The DVD is very well filmed. The band has a great sound, and the location picked for this filming is ideal to the music. It complements it well, so do the acoustics. In addition to the concert, we get a clip of Camelele, and documentary from the Iron Curtain sessions. There are subtitles available as the interviews are conducted in Polish and Hungarian.

SBB is one of those great progressive rock bands from the 70s that is still full of steam, and has plenty of life left in them. While the international success is always few steps away, the band never stopped making great music, and keeping its fan base satisfied. Such is the case on stage presented on this DVD.

Mark Kadzielawa