Live from Mohegan Sun

Personnel: Aaron Lewis (vocals, guitar); Mike Mushok (guitar); Joseph Giancarelli (drums); Johnny April (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Johnny K .
Recording information: Mohegan Sun Arena (11/25/2011).
Photographer: Francisco Strine.
Staind prove to fans they're still going strong with the live album Live from Mohegan Sun, recorded at the first show of their first tour after the departure of drummer Jon Wysocki earlier that year. Still riding high off the revival they experienced with the release of their self-titled album in 2011, Staind deliver a dark and visceral live performance showing that the band has fully shaken off the cobwebs and is ready to get back to the business of getting out there and getting people worked up. In terms of sound quality, the vocals sit a little high in the mix, and though that doesn't ruin the album, it certainly means that the rest of the band has to fight for sonic real estate, diminishing the impact of the band's punishing, detuned riffage. While it doesn't really detract from some of Staind's quieter moments, it can be a bit distracting on songs like "Spleen," where the heaviness of the song feels a bit subdued by the mix. Quibbling issues with the mix aside, Live from Mohegan Sun gives fans a good taste of Staind's moody live presence and, more importantly, proves that they made a good choice in recruiting Sal Giancarelli, who seems like a suitable replacement for Wysocki behind the drum kit. ~ Gregory Heaney