U2
Under A Blood Red Sky

THE REVIEW

Almost impossible. When dealing with U2, it's practically impossible to add anything to what has already been written and rewritten, said and resaid by the various media. Bono, The Edge, Adam, and Larry know this. They know they are one of the greatest bands in the world. Certainly, for true fans, the kind of emotions this "Irish band" can evoke are always intense and indelible. If we talk about a concert, the situation becomes more adrenaline-charged, thanks also (and above all) to the immense and never predictable charisma of Paul Hewson, aka Bono Vox, the indispensable leader of U2. For this reason, it is possible to say that one of their concerts is not a simple concert, but a true live adventure, so UNDER A BLOOD RED SKY, dated 1983 (we're talking 20 years ago...), must be considered a "must."

Try asking that crazy crowd in Colorado... Try asking about GLORIA, U2's first big hit, a religiously themed song with Latin extrapolations, powerful and compelling, just like Bono's voice and The Edge's guitar (the Guitar Hero, if you will...). Try asking about I WILL FOLLOW, where once again it's the Bono-The Edge duo that makes the difference. The first for his intensity, the second for his typical and skillful rock-tinged riffs. If that's not enough for you, then try asking about a certain SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY, probably the most thrilling and exciting track on the album, as well as in the entire concert history, where the rocker fighting for peace pulls out a white flag and, simulating a militaristic march, symbolically places it near the front row of spectators, inviting the audience to shout with him an unforgettable NO WAR, right during Larry's drum rolls that so evocatively recall a searing battle atmosphere. Despite the aggressiveness of the "song," it's clear that "Bloody Sunday" is not a song of rebellion, as Bono himself says introducing it. Indescribable. Just like NEW YEAR'S DAY, even more exhilarating live, also due to The Edge's excellent ability, deftly alternating between the piano (with hypnotic notes) and the six strings. In the 36 minutes of UNDER A BLOOD RED SKY, there are also moments of relaxation, such as PARTY GIRL (originated as a B-side), sung almost in a confidential manner, 11 O'CLOCK TICK TOCK with a slightly inconsistent Bono in the high notes, and 40, which closes with a slight veil of melancholy that adventure experienced by Bono for one of the rare times without his inseparable sunglasses, now making him one of the most important rockstars on the planet (thanks, Bulgari!). This concert ends right in this way, so engaging that it can be relived simply by turning on a stereo and inserting an optical disc with a fiery red cover (characteristic of Colorado's bloody sky) in the player, before closing your eyes and savoring the emotions it will bring. Because UNDER A BLOOD RED SKY has sensations to provoke. But telling or explaining them is difficult. Indeed. Almost impossible...