thanks Muttley, i may just do that :)
nfe, the live album is probably just compressed to hell!  no dynamics, just short of clipping at all times.  i have 7" EP from Bootleg Booze records, i can't remember who it is, but it's mastered ridiculously loud and isn't really playable.  the music just distorts and i think the needle actually has trouble staying in the grooves!
the first record i remember coming out that was claimed to be louder than anything else was Pantera's Far Beyond Driven.  haven't listened to it recently, but i think it sounded ok.