Live In England

The second in a series of retrospective DVDs capturing the greatest video highlights of Conflict's two decades-and-counting career, Live in England (as its title implies) rounds up a series of performances in and around that country, kicking off with some of the earliest footage yet to come to light, half-a-dozen songs filmed in Brighton in 1984. As with the preceding Live in London DVD, the bulk of the footage here dates from the 2000s, and shows in Milton Keynes (2000), Derby (2003), Sheffield and Leeds (both 2004). But disc two opens with a sensational full concert from Newcastle in 1987, with the band powering through much the same set as highlights that same year's Turning Rebellion into Money live album, and comparisons between that and disc one's opener, a similarly complete concert from 17 years later, reveal just how consistent Conflict has remained over the years. The songs and, therefore, the targets might change, but the energy, anger and wit remain as volatile as they ever were. As with Live in London, the sound quality is not always as good as one might hope. Some of it, as the liner notes themselves advise, is barely listenable. But, in scooping up every available piece of footage there is, and making it available to everyone who cares, this series confirms (and will continue to confirm) just how much we need bands like Conflict now, as much as we ever have. ~ Dave Thompson