Album Review: Live at Lichtburg – Long Distance Calling

Review By Glen Parkes

Live at Lichtburg captures Long Distance Calling at a moment where everything seems to align—musicianship, atmosphere, audience energy, and the weight of a career’s worth of work brought together on one stage. Recorded in February 2024 at the sold-out Lichtburg cinema in Essen, the concert shows why the Münster quartet remain one of the most respected names in modern instrumental rock.

The band—David Jordan, Florian Füntmann, Jan Hoffmann and Janosch Rathmer—have always balanced heaviness with melody, and cinematic scope with tight musicianship. Here, that balance feels even stronger thanks to the addition of strings and brass. Instead of simply recreating their studio sound, they use the extra instruments to open up new textures and push their material into wider, richer territory.

The tracklist spans their career, with a strong focus on Eraser and Avoid the Light. Early in the show, Enter: Death Box, Blades, and the lead single Kamilah lay down the tone—big dynamics, thoughtful build-ups, and that emotional depth fans expect. Songs like Giants Leaving, 500 Years, and Immunity flow smoothly, each one sounding fuller and more dramatic in this setting.

Eraser becomes a real standout, swelling from quiet moments into towering, cinematic peaks. Apparitions and Black Paper Planes keep the mid-set momentum high, showing how the band shift from delicate melodies to powerful riffs without ever losing control. The closing stretch—Out There and Metulsky Curse Revisited—feels like a victory lap, capturing the connection between band and audience that made the night so special.

The Blu-ray version expands the experience further with bonus performances like 359 and Sundown Highway, giving fans a more complete picture of the event. Visually, the production makes full use of the Lichtburg’s classic cinema atmosphere, turning the show into something that feels both intimate and grand.

Live at Lichtburg isn’t just a live album—it feels like a celebration of everything Long Distance Calling have built since 2007. It’s a strong introduction for new listeners and a must-own release for long-time fans. With its warm sound, emotional range, and stunning visual presentation, this is the band at their creative peak, captured in the best way possible.