The CD begins with 'Welcome to the Masquerade' which is about getting rid of the masks we wear and making ourselves vulnerable: "I'm not one to scatter ashes/But there's some things that'll melt the plastic/Try and dig down deeper if you can." 'Bring me to Life' is about a person reaching for their full potential: "Bring me to life, breathe air into me/Take me from the darkness that I've been in/'Cause I just want to be free." 'Move' contains this introspective lyric: "You've never been to the place inside, I face my fears/It takes everything I am." 'Absolute' is a passionate cry to God from a lost generation: "We want the truth, give us the Absolute/We need your help, 'cause we've got nothing!" 'The Flame in All of Us' has a melodic chorus and speaks of the toll the world can take on you: "This world has taken me by storm, it makes me feel like running/This place is making me transform until I feel like nothing." 'E for Extinction' speaks of fighting for a better life: "But we won't leave the way that we came/And I know there's so much more ahead/I can barely believe we're here/We won't surrender quietly." 'Scream' is sympathetic to those who are hurting: "I've felt the feelings you've been feeling/Been through the same things/You've been through/And I know how hard it is/To feel like you're all alone."
'What do we Know' has a sing-along quality to it and offers these words of hope: "But maybe if we pull together we can change/A million lives for the better/And maybe if we prayed a little more/We would stop living in fear from the storm." 'Falls Apart' tells the story of a prodigal: "It falls apart from the very start/It falls apart, seems like everything I touch/Falls apart, everything around me/Falls apart, when I walk away from you." 'Rawkfist' is a party anthem from 2003's PHENOMENON. 'Fire it Up' has a nice guitar solo and is an ode to adrenaline: "I'm in love with the feelin'/Of pressure to the ceilin'/Wake up with intention/To face my opposition." Two encores are included. 'Already Home' is a ballad of surrender to God: "And I know I haven't always been/Where You wanted me/I'm standin' here, arms out/Broken down/Before You." 'Puppet' is from 2001's SET IT OFF and has a bouncy beat that makes you think of marionettes being manipulated by a puppet master.
The accompanying DVD is very well shot. The pyrotechnics and lighting, combined with lead singer Trevor McNevan's great use of the stage, make for a pleasant viewing experience. I'm rating the CD a 80% and the DVD a 90%. I recommend LIVE AT THE MASQUERADE to fans of other rock acts such as Skillet and Our Lady Peace.