'Canvas' is a Swedish rock band influenced by different currents, notably progressive, symphonic and atmospheric, the whole being built around catchy melodic lines which allow a fairly immediate accessibility. After a first EP in 2020 (see here), they have just released their first LP, 'Darkness', which makes us discover their musical universe. Led by guitarist 'Sören Cederberg' who has worked with progressive big names like 'Hasse Fröberg' ('The Flower Kings', 'Hasse Fröberg Musical Companion') or 'Rikard Zander' from the band 'Evergrey'.
'Darkest before the dawn' begins this album in a style reminiscent of 'Genesis' for the oldest references but also more recent formations such as 'Arena' who have just released a very nice album not yet available for streaming, and which delivers us a memorable first melody in a verse/chorus construction, 'Jacob Runhamn' giving us a remarkable first vocal performance on the level of the singers of Arena', the old one, 'Paul Manzi' and the new one, 'Damian Wilson', and the ensemble integrating a few touches of progressive with, in particular, an instrumental introduction of more than a minute and an also shorter instrumental finale. We continue with 'When I'm alone' which offers new catchy melodic lines on a catchy rhythm, then, the single 'Fields on fire' continues with keyboard sounds taking us back a few decades in a style flirting with AOR. Follows the short atmospheric instrumental 'Fading light' which serves as an introduction to 'Intensity of black' and which takes us into a title mixing symphonic arrangements with melodic rock on a catchy tempo, the short guitar solo in the second part of the title being remarkable. Make way for 'So many tears' and its addictive rhythm which automatically turns on the foot tapping machine and which once again highlights the expressive vocals of 'Jacob Runhamn' and the album ends in a very beautiful way with a remix of 'It's called life' which was part of the first EP and which brings us back to the atmospheres of Arena' in a style that is certainly more direct but which adds a few touches of progressive, immediate accessibility still being required thanks to new lines memorable melodies and which offers us a beautiful succession of guitar and keyboard solos in the middle of the title.
In summary, the Swedes of 'Canvas' are releasing a remarkable first album offering melodic lines that are still very catchy to which they add a few pinches of progressive and symphonic and, 'Darkness' should appeal to a large audience who love melodic rock direct and accessible from the first listen... | |
