Horisont's case is quite difficult for all the chroniclers who want to stick labels at any cost to musical groups, just to put them in boxes. But, for me, that's a piece of luck, I am rather attracted by this kind of artists because generally, it is a sign of a certain talent to be able to navigate between different styles. In addition, the Swedes delight us every time with compositions accessible from the first listen and this new opus 'Sudden Death' is no exception to the rule and continues to take us back in time, a few decades ago.
The previous opus 'About Time' which dates from 2017 was rather focused hard-rock influenced by the tenors of the 70s and for this opus, they rake even wider since 'We start from the 60s until the end of the 80s with, and this is new, some progressive parts. 'Revolution' opens the album in a sixties atmosphere and I have the impression of hearing a fusion between the 'Beatles' and the 'Beach Boys' in the carefree atmosphere of that time, then 'Free Riding' continues in a hard-rock style close to 'Thin Lizzy' but in the middle of the title, leaves in a completely different direction for a rather offbeat instrumental part which brings a progressive side to restart again at the end as it had started. The following continues to offer us accessible melodies from the first listen with the energetic 'Pushin' the Line' and 'Into The Night', the latter eyeing towards 'Manfred Mann's' with 'Blinding By The Night' thanks to vigorous piano chords, then 'Standing Home' is calmer in a 70s rock style and 'Runaway' accelerates the tempo for a heady melody and a simple guitar solo but very efficient. We can also cite the peaceful 'Gråa Dagar' sung in Swedish, the atmospheric with 60s tones 'Breaking The Chain', the classic 'Hold On' with a new chorus reminding me 'Bruce Springsteen', 'Archeopteryx In Flight' which takes us on an 8-minute instrumental built in several parts bringing a progressive side and finally the last title 'White Light' which is typical of the 70s.
In summary, this last Swedish album from 'Horisont' is very pleasant to listen to and takes us back for a moment into the golden age of rock and hard-rock with very accessible compositions which intends it for 'Sudden Death' to a large audience who love the groups that I have been able to cite in this review... | |
