by Stephen Thomas Erlewine Even though they play hard rock, the Masters of Reality's sensibilities have always been more in line with the improvisatory nature of late-'60s blues-rock than the plodding chords of late-'70s arena-rock. Consequently, it shouldn't be a surprise that How High the Moon: Live at the Viper Room captures the band at their best, running through several of their staples plus a handful of new songs. What really matters is the group's musical interplay and the ideas they trade throughout the concert. There's a genuine spark and excitement to their exchanges, which makes How High the Moon one of their most successful records.