John 5 & the Creatures bring us a new album to start the year off and this time we get their first live album.  ‘It’s Alive’ was recorded live off the Season of the Witch Tour in 2017 at the Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, Pennsylvania in April 2017.  The band consists of John 5 on lead guitar, Ian Ross on bass and Logan Miles Nix on drums.  The amount of music that comes out of these there guys for this album is incredible.

In listening to an interview with John 5 on Talking Metal with Emily Strigl, I learned that album was recorded rather spontaneously.  They arrived at the theater the day of the show and someone from the theater asked them if they wanted to record the show as they had a recording booth upstairs.  The band joyfully said yes.  And a little less than a year later, we have a live album released.

John 5 also stated in the interview that there are no overdubs or any re-recordings.  What you hear is what you get.  And what you hear is a live album that is near perfection which is also a little of the drawback.  The album at times doesn’t sound live as the musicianship is absolutely incredible.  There are probably errors, but they are not noticeable (at least to my untrained ears).

The tour was in support of his latest studio album, ‘Season of the Witch’, and as a result, there are nine tracks off that album and are some of the highlights of the album.  The opening track of “Guitars T**ts and Monsters”, “Season of the Witch”, “Here’s to the Crazy Ones” and “Now Fear This” are heavy and some damn fine guitar work.  Not to be outdone, the Creatures on bass and drums can hold their own with John 5 and together they give your ears some major orgasms with their playing.

If I had to pick a negative on the whole show it would be the “Jiffy Jam” and “Hell Haw” combination with the bluegrass, hillbilly sound.  Although it is excellent, it is the one section I could do without.  Other than that, I can’t get enough of the album.  The closing song, titled “Medley”, is a 10 minute musical celebration of some very famous guitar riffs including some Van Halen, Ted Nugent, Kiss, Metallica, and so many more.  I don’t want to give them all away as there are a ton and it is a blast.  See for yourself below…

Track Listing:

1. Guitars, Tits and Monsters
2. Flight of The Vulcan Kelly
3. Six Hundred and Sixty Six Pickers In Hell, CA
4. Here’s to the Crazy Ones
5. This is my Rifle
6. Jiffy Jam
7. Hall Haw
8. Season Of The Witch
9. Portrait of Sydney Sloan (w/ Harold Rollings Hymn)
10. Triple D
11. Black Grass Plague
12. Behind The Nut Love
13. Making Monsters
14. Beat It
15. Now Fear This
16. Medley

4.0 out 5.0 stars If you missed these guys live on the last tour, then you need to grab this to see what you missed.  John 5 and the Creatures deliver a stellar performance that is a master class on how to play.  These three talented musicians bombard your senses with the explosive sounds that are nothing short of amazing.  Your ears will thank you!!