The Swedish giants have just released their 12th (!) studio album, following a 9 year pause, where they have been very active, mainly touring, but also gathering their ideas, rehearsing and finally recording ‘Come this Madness’. Looking back to their s/t debut one in 1983, you can easily say that this has been a ‘hell of a journey’, with ups, highs, downs and going through different phases, line-ups. However, the core of the band has not changed at all and since they reunited with the magnificent and very heavy ‘Start from the Dark’ back in 2004, it is now time to get out there for new adventures,
‘Come this Madness’ finds the band in a fantastic form, doing what they do best actually: giving us high quality classic rock tunes. This new album is no exception to the rule. To the contrary, Europe give their best with a very fresh and modern sound, proving that they are far away from a word I despise (‘veterans’) and looking at the present and future with a bright and sharp eye.
Before the actual release of this new album, they released 4 singles, setting the tone and preparing us for what followed. ‘One on One’, ‘Cult of Ignorance’, ‘Scandinavian Eyes’ and ‘Come this Madness’ are all classic rock hits, all created with the unique way this band knows very well to launch all their potential ‘on the floor’: catchy choruses, signature heavy riffs and leads, an undeniable rock-solid rhythm section and also the keys of Mic Micaeli taking us back in time. There are actually many instances on all songs of the glorious past of the band, especially from the 80s, and it must be acknowledged that there has been a remarkable job on the melodic character of the album.
‘this time of year’, a beautiful power ballad reminds us one of the reasons we loved Europe for, many years ago. ‘In a different World’ cruises us in a groovy and heavy pace, where the John Norum and Joey Tempest just glow! Ian Haugland is one of my favorite drummers, and he really blasts on this album showing off his trademark playing and charisma, a characteristic example of this is ‘Takin’ it back’. There is a short ballad ‘In the Absence of Grace’, where things slow down where you catch your breath from the previous speedy pace and groove, and this might be short but within almost one minute and a half, the song captivates your interest and you just wish there would be more of this beauty. ‘The Angels much have flown’ kicks off with probably my favorite groove, kudos to John Leven and Ian Haugland, a great song, unveiling and blending each element of this great band, in a harmonic and balanced way, simple and glorious beauty! I specifically admire John Norum’s guitars, where he never exaggerates and knows precisely how to excite you with his heavy riffs, leads and solos, without a ‘bigger-than-life’ attitude, playing what exactly is needed at the moment it is played. If this is not being a genious, then I wonder what could be..?
‘The Devil’s back’ has a Deep Purple or Uriah Heep hype, which kindly reminds us of the band’s roots and music craftsmanship. The album closes with a special and distinctive track (justified by its title!) ‘Nothing can follow this’. Keys set the tone from the start, Joey Tempest is speaking instead of singing, and then the whole music continues, with a strong oriental flavor and riff, it pauses with a beautiful bridge, where there lead and backing vocals are beautifully blended, followed by Norum’s distinctive guitars. The last track is absolutely a statement of what this album is about. Or not. You will judge that.
‘Come this Madness’ is a brilliant fresh album, created from a band who take things seriously and leave no doubt about what they are capable of doing. It is the modern version of a band who always sounds contemporary and follows their own vision of how modern ‘classic’ rock should be played. No fillers. No compromises. No doubts.
8/10
Text by Antonis Mantzavinos
Tracklist:
1. One on One
2. The Cult of Ignorance
3. Come This Madness
4. This Time of Year
5. In a Different World
6. Scandinavian Eyes
7. Takin’ It Back
8. In the Absence of Grace
9. The Angels Must Have Flown
10. The Devil’s Back
11. Nothing Can Follow This
Official website: https://www.europetheband.com/
