At The Pier 48, Seattle December, 13th 1993 WW1-FM＜Colored Vinyl＞

After In Utero debuted at number one on the U.S. charts in September 1993, Nirvana's mainstream exposure would reach critical levels. The ensuing world tour added new member Pat Smear -- who would go on to join Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as one of the other Foo Fighters -- to the live lineup. In November, they filmed the now-classic Unplugged set for MTV, unveiling a softer, more mournful side to the band that would unfortunately serve as an unplanned goodbye to Kurt Cobain, who committed suicide six months later. Yet, as evidenced by In Utero's harsh and heavy sound, the band could still crush it. On Drain You: Live at Pier 48 (originally part of MTV's Live and Loud series), the raw ferocity and energy of peak Nirvana are captured in a blistering nine-song set that includes six of the heaviest tracks from In Utero (including the feral headbanger "Scentless Apprentice") and a trio from Nevermind. For the multitude of fans -- then and now -- who never got to see Nirvana live, this is both a nice taste and a sad, disappointing reminder of what they missed. ~ Neil Z. Yeung