Recorded live in Denver, Boston and West Germany on the 1983 "War" tour.

War turned U2 into arena rock stars, and the EP Under a Blood Red Sky captures the band on its supporting tour as the bandmembers adjusted to their larger audiences. Unsurprisingly for a band that always favored the grand statement, the group flourished in such a setting, as this mini-EP attests. Comprised of material recorded in America and Germany, Under a Blood Red Sky draws equally from the band's first three albums, and these live versions, while less textured, are considerably tougher than their studio counterparts and illustrate quite effectively why U2 were considered one of the best, most exhilarating live bands of the '80s. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood-Red Sky showcases U2 in a somewhat abbreviated concert video doing "Sunday Bloody Sunday," "Gloria," and others, all rather loud, but exciting and in a magnificent setting. ~ Bruce Eder

By the time of this 1983 live EP, U2 had emerged as the socio-politically conscious, self-determined saviors of rock & roll, their passion, musical power and sheer youthful exuberance making them rock idols to countless young (and some not-so-young) fans. This live document shows the ability of the band (particulary the zealous, proselytic Bono) to fire up a crowd with their earnest, anthemic approach. Early U2 classics like "Gloria," "I Will Follow" and the rabble-rousing terrorism protest "Sunday Bloody Sunday" are neighbored with fun obscurities like "Party GIrl" (complete with endearingly awkward guitar solo) and the moody "The Electric Co." As a final gesture of solidarity with his audience/congregation, rock & roll preacher Bono engages them in a spiritually tinged singalong on "40."