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Airbag - 2025 - "Dysphoria [Live in the Netherlands]" (94:00; Karisma Records) I appear to have reviewed quite a few live progressive rock albums recently, and here is the latest, from Norwegian band Airbag. In 2010 the band played their first international gig at Poppodium Boerderij in Zoetermeer, The Netherlands, since when it has become a home away from home, so it was an easy decision for them to do the recording there during their ‘The Century of the Self’ tour. I thought that was an excellent album, a real return to form after a somewhat disappointing (to me, at least) ‘A Day At The Beach’. The setlist is somewhat unusual in that they played the new album in its entirety in the same running order, while the other four songs feature two from 2011’s ‘All Rights Removed’, one from 2013’s ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ and just one from ‘A Day at The Beach’. For this gig the trio of Asle Tostrup (vocals, keyboards), Henrik Bergan Fossum (drums) and Bjorn Riis (guitars, keyboards, backing vocals) were joined by Oystein Sootholtet (bass) and Simen Valldal Johannessen (keyboards) and the result is something that in many ways feels more like a studio release than a live album. Yes, Bjorn enjoys the freedom of making some impressive solos, and the band have massively extended “Homesick”, so it is now more than 20 minutes long, but in some ways, one simply wonders what is the point? There is little in terms of the energy and vitality which makes live albums so important, and the result is something which is pleasant but never truly essential. I enjoyed it, but I can also see why some people might find this boring and if the listener did not enjoy the last studio album would they really want to sit through it being played again, or instead just head to disc two? Great vocals and musicianship, it is certainly pleasant and excellent work, but for me when a band performs, I really want them to be giving their all, and I am not sure Airbag are doing that here. Progtector: January 2026 Related Links: Airbag Karisma Records