Southern Soul, Gospel Grit, and Americana Gold

Read Time:6 Minute, 11 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Band Of Heathens – Live At Rockpalast 2009
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Genre: Pop, Rock
Year Released: 2025 (original performance 2009)
Runtime: 1h 14m
Where to Watch: available now here: www.mvdshop.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: When a live performance DVD turns a first-time listener into a loyal follower, it’s not just good—it’s something special. That’s exactly what happened with THE BAND OF HEATHENS – LIVE AT ROCKPALAST 2009, a concert film that doesn’t just showcase musical talent—it makes a case for why this band should’ve been on your radar years ago. This 2009 set, now released on DVD/CD by MVD and Made In Germany Music, is more than just a blast from the past; it’s a lightning bolt of Americana that crackles with electricity.

Recorded at Germany’s Crossroads Festival in Bonn on November 8, 2009, the performance captures The Band of Heathens at a pivotal moment. Fresh off the release of their second studio album, One Foot in the Ether, they were riding high on critical acclaim and gathering steam across the U.S. and Europe. But watching this concert fifteen years later, you get the sense that they weren’t just capturing the moment—they were defining it.

From the first chords of “What’s This World” to the closing unplugged version of “Jackson’s Station,” the band delivers a tight, soulful, and genre-bending set that mixes rock, gospel, country, and folk with ease. “Shine A Light” bursts with energy, “Somebody Tell The Truth” finds that sweet spot between introspection and groove, and “L.A. County Blues” injects Southern storytelling with a blues-rock bite. Every track feels like it could be a centerpiece—and that’s saying something for a 15-track live set.

Part of what makes this release so vital is the band's sound. This isn’t a frontman-and-backup situation; it’s a true ensemble. Colin Brooks, Gordy Quist, and Ed Jurdi each take turns leading and blending, creating a democratic sonic identity that few bands achieve as well. Their voices aren’t just harmonizing—they’re layering textures, giving songs depth without overworking the sentiment. The interplay between guitars, especially on tracks like “Golden Calf” and “Right Here With Me,” reveals a group that listens as much as it plays.

The rhythm section—Seth Withney on bass and John Chipman on drums—is equally locked in. Whether they’re building up tension in “Judas 'Scariot Blues” or holding down the slow-burn soul of “Heart On My Sleeve,” their presence is felt in every measure. There’s a lot of terrain covered across this setlist, but the transitions are effortless—never jarring, never rushed.

For someone unfamiliar with The Band of Heathens before this release, the sheer cohesion and command they exhibit live is eye-opening. There’s no filler in the setlist, no showboating, and no reliance on gimmicks. What you get is exactly what you want from a live concert: musicians who love the music and play like it matters.

The unplugged closer, “Jackson’s Station,” deserves special mention. Stripped down and raw, it’s the perfect way to end the evening. There’s a warmth and vulnerability in the delivery that stands in contrast to some of the more groove-heavy numbers earlier in the set, reminding you just how versatile this band can be. It’s also a smart move: after 70+ minutes of strong performances, they leave you with something intimate and heartfelt. It lingers.

The stereo mix preserves the clarity and balance of the performance without over-polishing it into something sterile. The audience's presence is felt but never overwhelms the music. And for collectors or newcomers alike, the inclusion of both the DVD and CD gives the best of both worlds: a performance to watch and a soundtrack to carry with you.

While the DVD is undeniably the centerpiece—bringing the band’s charisma, stage chemistry, and musicianship vividly to life—the included CD isn’t just an afterthought. It holds its own as a standalone listening experience, capturing the full performance that translates beautifully without the visuals. Every harmony, guitar riff, and rhythmic shift lands with clarity and warmth. For commutes, workdays, or repeat plays on a long drive, the CD lets the music live beyond the screen. It’s a reminder that this band doesn’t need the visuals to be compelling—they just need a stage and a mic. That said, once you’ve seen the DVD, it’s hard not to replay those moments in your head as the CD plays.

While it may have taken this release for me to hear what many others already knew, I’m finally fully on board now. A live album rarely becomes your first point of contact with a band, and it's even rarer that it instantly hooks you. But LIVE AT ROCKPALAST 2009 isn’t just a live album. It’s a gateway, an introduction, and a reminder of how potent live performance can be when done right. This isn’t a group chasing trends or trying to re-create magic in the studio. This is the real deal, caught in their element, at a time when the chemistry between them was undeniable. It’s a document of a band on the rise, but also one that already had it figured out.

If you're a fan of roots rock, Southern soul, or just good old-fashioned musicianship that feels lived-in and unpretentious, this release should jump to the top of your list. I went in cold, but now I can’t wait to explore the rest of their catalog. That’s the power of LIVE AT ROCKPALAST 2009. It doesn’t just showcase the band—it makes you a fan.

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[photo courtesy of MADE IN GERMANY MUSIC, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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