Oblivious-När Isarna Sjunger

Gaphals
2018

Oblivious is a hard & heavy rock/proto-metal band from Linköping, Sweden that has a handful of recordings to it’s name. Due for release in early February, "När Isarna Sjunger" is the band’s latest release. With eight smashing cuts in all, "När Isarna Sjunger" is the group's forth full-length album as well as my first taste of these (groove-heavy!) riff-rocking rebels! And what a fine introduction it is!! On one hand some of the inspirations come from the underground rock and hard rock scenes of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Sung in their native tongue, Oblivious' new album also owes a debt or two to the better aspects of southern rock and the (very) early years of  heavy metal. Mix that all together with sincere love and admiration for not only their their idols, but all of the hardworking rock and roll bands that came before them and you get one band that might have a wild and crazy spirit, but they also have a hell of a lot of heart and soul. Even at it's heaviest moments this album has a charming warmth to it that is all it's own. From the music to the vintage-vibe this Swedish heavy rock band has a real winner on it's hands with their new album. It would be a real shame if people got all hung up on the foreign language bit before giving this one a chance.

The Murder Of My Sweet-Beth Out Of Hell

Frontiers Music srl
2015

Formed in 2006 by drummer, keyboardist and producer Daniel Flore, The Murder of My Sweet is a charismatic metal band that is based in Stockholm, Sweden and well known for the stunning voice of front-woman Angelica Rylin. Back in 2012 I covered this band's wonderful sophomore album, "Bye Bye Lullaby", and now this sensational group is back with a new concept album and a new band-member in bass player Patrik Janson (Platitude). Self-described by band founder (and all-out rocker!) Daniel Flores as "an apocalyptic love story between good and evil", "Beth Out Of Hell" is both a expected return (in terms of this band's high-class cinematic heavy style and their overall top-notch ability as songwriters and performers) and an unexpected return (not only has The Murder Of My Sweet grown as a band in the songwriting department, but album number ends up being a slightly heavier and more dynamic experience!!!!). In addition to the already mentioned players, "Beth Out Of Hell" (which incidentally is a title that I flat out dig!) features the key work of guitarist Christopher Vetter (a highly-underrated musician is you ask me!) as well as voice actors and a children's choir! It works well with the band's rather distinct cinematic nature (everything from the band's name to their sound is heavily inspired by movie scores) and the (by now familiar) symphonic metal and heavy rock elements that The Murder Of My Sweet has become known for. Granted this is also a band that likes to sprinkle classic heavy metal and melodic hard rock into the mix so there is never a dull moment to be had when it comes to sitting down with this exquisite lot! With all of that in the mind here's the final score. Album number three is the album that should make people stand up and take notice of this Swedish metal band. Somehow The Murder Of My Sweet has improved upon what was already perfection and in the process they have given their fans a classic album in the making. Because of the obvious care that went into the making of this new album it is a release that is grand in scope and vision. It is all at once a thoroughly complex and technically amazing release and one that shows off this group's ability to write enchanting music. In a nutshell "Beth Out Of Hell" is a album that is chock full of style and substance and it's one of those great metal releases that should appeal to a wide range of tastes. To the band I say welcome back and congrats on this sweeping release! And to all our readers I suggest not only getting this album when it drops in August, but if you get a chance to experience this band live then by all means DO IT!

MarysCreek-Incubic Twin

MarysCreek Records
2014

Swedish heavy & hard rock? Now, where have we heard that phrase before? Seriously though this Linköping , Stockholm-based collective is merely one of what seems like BILLIONS of sweet heavy & hard rock to come out Sweden and with a sophomore album on the horizon this EP seems to be just a taste of what's to come. And as an appetizer it does the job just fine! It makes you want to lick your fingers clean and leaves you dreaming happy thoughts about the meal that's to come! For the heavy hard rockers involved with MarysCreek it's all about the mighty riff as they offer up their slick take on modern hard rock/heavy metal. There's a subtle hint of melancholy that bristles throughout MarysCreek's EP and when that combines with the band's meaty trash rock licks and pop sensibilities it's simply one glorious explosion of prime-time rock and roll as that is 100% Swedish and 100% MarysCreek! Here's hoping the band's next studio set is every bit as slick and wicked as this EP is!

https://www.facebook.com/maryscreek 

http://maryscreek.com/

State Of Salazar-All the Way

Frontiers Music srl
2014
  
Formed in 2010 by five students from the Malmö Academy of Music (all of which had a dream of playing in big arenas in front of large cheering crowds) Swedish rockers State of Salazar started by releasing their debut EP in 2012. That EP was entitled "Lost my Way" and now with their full-length album "All the Way" due to be released at the end of August it looks as if the band is at least on their way towards that goal. Lead by singer and songwriter Marcus Nygren (8-Point Rose, ex-Enbound) the music of State Of Salazar fits in neatly with what Frontiers Music is all about. In spite of Marcus Nygren's metal side (8-Point Rose falling on the power metal side of the aisle as it were) the foundation upon which State of Salazar stands is made up of West Coast, AOR and melodic rock bricks making "All the Way" one of those albums that likely will have little appeal to most metalheads. But, for what it is and if we're judging it solely upon it's intended audience then (frankly speaking) "All the Way" has it's strengths chief amongst them strong-songwriting and the performance of lead vocalist Marcus Nygren. Pound for pound Marcus makes for a splendid soft rock vocalist and one could easily see him fronting bands like Journey, Toto, Survivor and REO Speedwagon. Teamed up with guitarist Johan Thuresson (The Million), bass guitarist Johannes Hansson, drummer Kristian Brun (Scaramanga) and keyboardist Stefan Mårtenson this is one band that would seem to be custom-fitted for the AOR crowd and, if I'm to admit a dirty little secret here (just between you and I of course seeing as we're all friends) that might just include me!