ROYAL HUNT featuring D.C. Cooper / Optical Illusions Shinsaibashi Quattro 2011 (2CD)

ROYAL HUNT featuring D.C. COOPER /
OPTICAL ILLUSIONS
(1CDR) Shinsaibashi Quattro 2011
Live at SHINSAIBASHI CLUB QUATTRO, Osaka, Japan – April 26, 2011

DISC ONE
-PARADOX LIVE-
01. Intro: Ave Maria (SE)
02. The Awakening
03. River Of Pain
04. Tearing Down The World
05. Message To God
06. Long Way Home
07. Time Will Tell
08. Silent Scream
09. It’s Over
10. Outro: Ave Maria (SE)

DISC TWO
01. Last Goodbye
02. 1348
03. Talk about the tour, the earthquake & tsunami
04. Far Away
05. Stranded (Incl. DC’s Drum Solo)
06. D.C. introduces the crew
07. Time
-Encore-
08. Guitar Solo / Keyboard Solo / Freeway Jam
09. Bass Solo / Martial Arts
10. André introduces the members
11. Epilogue
12. Outro (SE)

ANDRE ANDERSEN (Keyboards)
D.C. COOPER (Vocals)
YONAS LARSEN (Guitar)
ALLAN SORENSEN (Drums)
ANDREAS PASSMARK (Bass)
Maria McTurk (Backing Vocals)
Alexandra (Backing Vocals)

Royal Hunt, renowned for their symphonic and classical melodic metal sound, staged a miraculous, limited-time reunion (lasting just one month) by welcoming back their popular early-era vocalist, D.C. Cooper!

This release features a complete recording of the final show of their 2011 Japan tour—held on April 26 in Osaka—captured with stunning, high-fidelity sound quality that delivers incredible power and an immersive live atmosphere. With Cooper in top form regarding both vocals and performance, this is a superb release—featuring outstanding sound quality and a perfect balance—that is guaranteed to get you fired up!

The content is a magnificent, flawless performance spanning a generous two hours and fifteen minutes: the first half is a complete recreation of the *Paradox* album, while the second half is composed of signature tracks from his time with the band. A particularly moving moment occurs during "Far Away"—a song originally written for victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake—as he introduces it with a reference to the Great East Japan Earthquake.

The show also fully showcases D.C.'s pop-star personality: he riles up the crowd for massive sing-alongs and engages in humorous, playful banter. There is a drum solo during "Stranded," and for the finale, "Epilogue," the entire band appears dressed in white hotel pajamas with towels draped around their necks. The relaxed, convivial atmosphere is an absolute delight!

For fans who thought they would never again hear Royal Hunt with D.C. on vocals—ever since he left the band in 1998—this is an essential, precious "must-have" memorial release that is simply irresistible!