Artist : Introitus

Album : Shadows

Release Date : 12-07-2019

Added : 08-11-2019

The third band devoted to progressive rock is' Introitus', a Swedish band that I only discover with their latest album 'Shadows' but which has already been around for 20 years with a first studio recording in 2007 (see here). In 'Introitus', in the 'Bender' family, I would like the father: I have him, it is the composer and keyboardist; I would like the mother: I have her, it is the singer who has, by the way, a magnificent voice; I continue, I would like the son: I have him, it is the drummer and then to complete the family the little last 'Johanna' who participates in the choirs. When I first heard 'Shadows', I found myself in a well-known mix of progressive, symphonic and atmospheric rock, borrowing from bands like 'Pink Floyd', 'RPWL' (see their latest album here) or 'Mostly Autumn' (see their latest album here) but which have their own style filled with melancholy. From the first title, 'Belong', we can feel 'Floydian' influences with a remarkable vocal performance by 'Anna Bender' who fills the space with her warm and deep voice. Follows the eponymous title of the album that reminds me of the melodic lines of 'Karnataka' (see their latest album with 'Hayley Griffiths' here) but which has much more progressive accents with much more instrumental parts. The suite offers us a very airy atmosphere with 'Beyond Fantasy' on which come beautiful vocalizations and piano chords close to 'Vangelis' (see his latest album 'Nocturne' here) with a very beautiful melancholic intervention of an accordion in the middle of the title, then, 'Desperation', which is the longest title of the album, continues in this poignant atmosphere by unfolding a magnificent melody with still here and there the use of the accordion and still a beautiful interpretation of Anna, the instrumental part is also beautiful with a grandiose finale. Finally, after the 'Figures' which alternate parts removed and others calmer, 'My Hero' is a more classic melancholic ballad and the album ends with the instrumental 'Awakening' in which we embark for one last time in a long development with a poignant first part, which is gaining momentum and accelerates the rhythm in the middle of the title with a succession of several sections and which ends calmly with some vocalizations accompanied one last time by the accordion. In short, this last album of the Swedes of 'Introitus' is for me a magnificent discovery and, if you like the serene ambiences in progressive rock, 'Shadows' is certainly made for you...

Line Up / Musicians

Mats Bender (Keybords), Anna Jobs Bender (Vocal), Mattias Bender (Drums), Dennis Lindkvist (Bass), Pär Helje (Guitar), Linnéa Syrjälä (Vocal, Flute), Johanna Bender (Choirs) + Guests : Martin Jobs (Choirs), Helena Tenstam (Flute)