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I attended the United Alive show in Montreal back in 2018 and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen, so I was looking forward to this live album (well, more like the video version, but this is what landed in my inbox. ;))

United Alive in Madrid is packed with nearly two and a half hours of Helloween classics, played and sung by current and past members of the band. That's cool to see in person, but even with just the audio it's cool how they made the whole thing flow flawlessly. This show was recorded in Madrid and they got one hell of a crowd to complement the band's performance. The crowd screams and sings along (that gives the singers a break here and there ;)) and is just as lively as the amazing set list. The songs were well chosen, the delivery kicks serious ass, bringing in the crowd as needed, especially on the biggest classics.

I find that live albums are usually very much optional and take a pass, but United Alive in Madrid ranks along the likes of Live After Death and Alive in Athens in providing a great set of songs, amazing performance and, most importantly, making you feel as if you were there if you close your eyes. Like the aforementioned live albums, United Alive in Madrid is mandatory in any fan's collection and, should you be new to be the band, this is a great way to be introduced to some of their timeless classics.