Nearly 40 years to the day since Ventura’s Cirith Ungol played the iconic Roxy Theatre on LA’s Sunset Strip, the band returned in October 2023 to showcase their Dark Parade album. Stretched over 106 raucous minutes, Live At The Roxy is a true reflection of the power of Cirith Ungol live.
Cirith Ungol – Live At The Roxy
Release Date: 25 April 2025
Words: Paul Hutchings
Although the Cirith Ungol lineup here contains only one truly original member, drummer Robert Garven, vocalist Tim Baker, and guitarist Greg Lindstrom are normally included in the same bracket.
With Night Demon duo Jarvis Leatherby (a full-time member of Cirith Ungol since their return in 2016) and Armand John Antony fully incorporated in the band, this is as powerful a lineup as the band has ever put forward.
The band are now closing out their final shows, and anyone who was present at The Underworld in September 2024 or at any of their recent shows can testify that Cirith Ungol remained a ferocious live outfit. It was certainly my gig of 2024.
Iconic is a word used far too often, but there is something about Cirith Ungol that makes it the most appropriate descriptor. The band’s origins can be traced as far back as 1971, when Garvens formed the band with Jerry Fogle and Neal Beattie. It was a full decade before debut album Frost And Fire, often cited as one of the first true American Power Metal albums.
Their journey since that release has been through choppy waters, with the band disbanding in 1992 before a combination of Leatherby, Keep It True Festival owner Oliver Weinsheimer and Metal Blade’s Brian Slagel saw the band reform in 2016. Two albums have followed, Forever Black and Dark Parade, both received critical acclaim. 
Live At The Roxy sees the band playing as well as they ever have. “I think we are playing better now than we did back in the day, circa King of the Dead,” Garvens said. “Onstage I wear in-ear monitors and have felt tears in my eyes when the music sounds so accurate to what we recorded so many years ago.”
They open hard, with Velocity (S.E.P) immediately increasing the temperature before they rage through a selection of classics from their earlier albums, as well as many from Dark Parade.
Every Cirith Ungol fan will have their own favourites. Sailor On The Sea Of Fates from Dark Parade is massive, whilst Black Machine brings back memories of punching the air with like-minded souls at The Underworld last year.
Garven’s drumming is huge, whilst Baker’s unique vocal style remains one of the main attractions. His vocal is incredible throughout, a sandpaper style that is the definition of marmite. You either love it or hate it.
Thankfully, I am very much in the former camp, and his voice has always been a magnet for me since I first heard King Of The Dead over 40 years ago.
Antony and Lindstrom’s guitar work throughout is razor-sharp. Just one listen to their duelling play on the anthemic Master Of The Pit sends shivers down the spine. And even on the massive finale of Join The Legion, the band expel every last drop of energy.
Live albums are often a bit hit-and-miss, with selected songs not really capturing the full flavour of the show. This is an exception. The full show, recorded in high quality, makes this album a must for Cirith Ungol fans, but it also provides a superb collection for those who may not be over-familiar with the band’s catalogue.
Cirith Ungol release Live At The Roxy on 25 April 2025 via Metal Blade Records. The album is available from here.
Live At The Roxy will be available digitally and as a 2xCD/DVD set or 2xLP/DVD set in the following colour variants:
Green Black Marbled (US – Ltd. 500)
180g Black (EU)
Light Blue Marbled (EU)
Green Black Marbled (EU – Ltd. 500)
Demon Blood Splatter (EU – Ltd. 300)
White / Blue Splatter – Band Exclusive – Limited to 200 available here.
