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Rating: The historic Swedes from Stockholm return to the scene after a long silence that lasted a full thirteen years, having left us with that A.O.R. masterpiece from the nineties known as "Prisoners In Paradise" from 1991.
Instead of continuing with the pomp-rock, eighties-flavored line, the five Scandinavians completely upset the sound that made them famous in favor of a much rougher approach, closer to sound reminiscent of a rather modern hard-metal. The final result gives the band a "heavy" attitude that baffles and pleasantly surprises, confirming to many that the roots of the famous quintet are deeply set in musical genres very different from what was offered in the nonetheless seminal "The Final Countdown" and "Out Of This World". The start entrusted to "Got To Have Faith" immediately lets flow an aggressive, dirty sound at times, dominated by a very tight riffing seasoned with a scorching solo, while the rhythmic support of the Levén-Haugland duo imparts power and precision. And Joey Tempest? It is here that we understand what kind of singer we are dealing with! Having abandoned the hard-rocking flaunts of the past, the hairy singer reveals an enviable histrionic talent, capable of engaging in a vocal modernism diametrically opposed to the glam glories of the eighties.
Melancholy and heaviness accompany us in "Start From The Dark" with slower rhythms compared to the opener. Here too, Tempest combines angry verses with choruses full of nostalgic melody, followed by an inspired Norum in the riffing and essential in the solos. As the tracks progress, we move from sweet ballads with enviable emotional levels like "My Hero" and "Roll With You", to aggressive and pressing tracks like "Flames", "Song Nr. 12", and "Spirit Of The Underdog". Indeed, the new spirit of the combo is embodied in the fusion between the melodic rock atmospheres of well-known previous works and a groove attitude from the pressing, incisive guitar work, tirelessly stretching between almost Sabbathian riffs and brilliant, never predictable solos. The finale entrusted to the duo "My America"-"Settle For Love" only confirms the aforementioned theory of skillfully mixing different styles. The first is, in fact, anthemic, angry, built around walls of metallic guitars and adorned with a highly effective "screamed" bridge where John and Joey let their fiery musical relationship worthy of the memorable "Scream Of Anger" from the epic "Wings Of Tomorrow" leak out. The second, however, reveals pure delicacy and elegance transposed into music. A gentle acoustic ballad highlights the genuine talent of the singer, gently taking us by the hand and leading us towards sounds close to the solo album "A Place To Call Home" amidst dreaming harmonies and a warm vocal interpretation. Truly refined.
The return of Europe represents an important chapter in the recent history of continental hard rock and beyond, but most importantly, offers us artists inclined towards a modern attitude, eager to engage in today's musical landscape. Aware of their glorious past, the five Swedes have been able to extract its peculiarities, reproposing them in a different version, winking at the current times and, consequently, not appearing tacky or commercial like the ridiculous Motley Crue and company.
A consistent and professional work that will not fail to thrill long-time fans and newcomers interested in original proposals. Welcome back.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
03 Flames (03:55)
the pressure is mounting I'm ready and counting
there's something I've got to be
I'm fearless I feel it scared sensless who needs this
still something I've got to be
there is no going back this is what we know
we've come to entertain asking you to follow
we've born to self-destruct here it comes again
a desire to go down in flames
my hearts racing my legs shaking
there's more drama in the making
I had a feeling this day would come
so are we real good or just delirious
but if you stop us now it could get serious
sorry mama for what I've become
there is no going back this is what we know
we've come to entertain asking you to follow
we've born to self-destruct here it comes again
a desire to go down in flames
you can turn it off but it never stops
madness or not I'll risk everything I've got
and if I got to do it all over again
I'd still believe in these friends
And they mess they got me in
04 Hero (04:15)
It's not like I wouldn't dream, if you had not shown the way
It's not like I wouldn't fight, not knowing 'bout your life
It's not like I wouldn't stand, right here with you my friends
But you thru us all a line, when our days slipped away
You gave us of your time
Cause you were my hero, my Friday night
You wrote the soundtrack to my life
And gave me something to hold on to
When I was growling up you were the rock
In my life
It's not like I live my days by every word you spoke
Like I'm up every night drinking with your ghost
It's not like I can't look back without moving on
But you thru us all a line when our days slipped away
You gave us of your time
Cause you were my hero, my Friday night
You wrote the soundtrack to my life
And gave us kids a chance to dream
Days when I had enough, you were the rock
In my life
(solo)
You still throw me that line, as my days slipped away
You give me of your time
You still my hero, my Friday night
You wrote the soundtrack to my life
You give me something to hold on to
As I'm still growing up you are the rock
In my life
05 Wake Up Call (04:14)
Hello what keeps you going
The way we're running through these years
I guess they're showing
I don't have no clever lines
To explain my state of mind
Well it doesn't matter
It's just a while since I could feel
This song is what I need
Like a wake up wake up call
Hello what made you come here
You defy all kinds of logic
When you don't stay clear
I don't talk the way you do
I guess you feel the same way too
But it doesn't matter
We meet somewhere in between
This song and what we need
Like a wake up wake up call
We're just laying down this track
Guess I'll have to call you back
But it doesn't matter
We'll connect again one day
An the song will find it's way
Like a wake up wake up call
08 Roll With You (04:30)
When you feel out of place let me revolve around you
When your light fades I have the strength to find you
When what you're feeling is too intense
When the darkness seems to draw you in I roll with you
When you're so sorry and don't know why
It came to be a sad time in your life I roll with you we'll get you through
When you shut your eyes I'll show the images you're missing
When you've heard enough through me you can listen
When what you're feeling is too intense
And the darkness seems to draw you in I roll with you
And when you're crawling through all the hurt
And you can't find a real friend in this world I roll with you
We'll get you through
When you feel out place
Let me revolve around you
09 Sucker (03:42)
She works hard to enjoy the weekends
All glammed up to describe the feelin'
makin her way through the crowd
somethin' is drivin' her wild
(Chorus)
She's turnin up the stereo
She wants everbody to know
She's fixin to see the show
She's a s-s-s-s-sucker for a guitar hero
Her obsession is legedary
And all her boyfriends are temporary
Her idea of a perfect man
plays custom trough a marshall amp.
(Chorus)
She's turnin up the stereo
She wants everbody to know
She's fixin to see the show
She's a s-s-s-s-sucker for a guitar hero
(Guitar solo)
God knows she can't controll her weakness
Sometimes she settles for local talent
Everone knows it's a phase
Just tappin' to kill some time
Cause' she'll be back in a wrackfull place
Where the trucks roll into town
(Chorus)
Now she wont need a stereo
Cause' everbody will know
That she's right there watchin' the show
She'll be throwin all her love around
Now the boys are back in town
Until she just can't take it no more
She's a s-s-s-s-sucker for a guitar hero
10 Spirit of the Underdog (04:25)
Seen you round I know your face
watched you try to grow up with grace.
Seen that heart out on your sleeve
like it's so much life
you're dying to feel, dying to feel.
Cause if you got to steal
you've got to steel the show.
It's the spirit of the underdog.
And if you got to break
you've got to break the mould.
It's the spirit of the underdog.
I've seen you reach that main event
and make it look like an accident.
Your need for love can't be replaced.
Just put away at least for today,
at least for today.
Cause if you got to steal
you've got to steel the show.
It's the spirit of the underdog.
And if you got to break
you've got to break the mould.
It's the spirit of the underdog.
11 America (03:35)
You'd think by now I've learned to fake it
You'd think by now I'd find my peace
And there's no risk for me worth taking
You'd think that I'd go quietly
But the journey's still on for my America
You'd think by now I'd take the easy way
And be content with what I've seen
You'd think by now I'd get it in to my head
I'm the same boy I have always been
So the journey's still on for my America
You'd think by now I'd be to jaded
To feel what love can do
You'd think by now that I've done everything I can
In finally reaching you
But the journey's still on for my America
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By TheSilentMan
Today’s Europe is a new band, almost unrecognizable except for Joey Tempest's voice.
"Start From the Dark" is their rebirth from darkness, but it shows an abysmal fall from the Olympus of the greats.
