Record Reviews

TRETTIOÅRIGA KRIGET ~ ELDEN AV ÅR MELLOTRONEN 010 (Barcode: 7320470044872) ~ SWEDEN ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2003 Released: 2004 6th album by the legendary Swedish Prog band Trettioåriga KrigetFind albums by this artist (The Thirty Years War) recorded after the band reunited in 2002 and decided to continue recording new albums, closing the 24 years long gap between the last album made by the “original” group. The reunion brings together all the original band members: Stefan FredinFind albums by this artist (bass & vocals), Dag LundquistFind albums by this artist (drums), Christer ÅkerbergFind albums by this artist (guitars), Robert ZimaFind albums by this artist (lead vocals) and Mats LindbergFind albums by this artist (keyboards) as well as the lyricist Olle ThörnvallFind albums by this artist, which is truly remarkable considering how much time has passed since they all worked together. The material is mostly new, written especially for this album, but some “unfinished business” from the 1970s is taken care off, by finally being recorded and even one track originally recorded in 1977 is included. The central piece of the music is the lengthy suite in four parts, which gives the album its title. The music is absolutely stunning, bringing the best days of the group back to life and expanding and updating the sound, although the mellotron is used extensively to link to the 1970s sound. Although the musicians are obviously not young any more, the music is alive and contemporary, with a mighty kick, bringing them back again to the forefront of Scandinavian Prog with other groups like AnekdotenFind albums by this artist. Being more or less of the same age as the wonderful musicians involved in making this remarkable music, it makes me feel really proud that our generation can still contribute something to the process of creating great music. A must to all Scandinavian Prog fans.

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TRETTIOÅRIGA KRIGET ~ HEJ PÅ ER! MNW 3004 (Barcode: 7391946202737) ~ SWEDEN ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1978 Released: 2005 3rd album by the legendary Swedish Prog band Trettioåriga KrigetFind albums by this artist (The Thirty Years War), which was their most successful and most popular effort. By the time this album was recorded, the band (Stefan FredinFind albums by this artist – bass, Dag LundquistFind albums by this artist – drums, Christer ÅkerbergFind albums by this artist – guitar and Robert ZimaFind albums by this artist - vocals) added a fifth member, keyboards and saxophone player Mats LindbergFind albums by this artist, in order to augment the band’s sound with additional possibilities. The lyrics were supplied, as usual, by the band’s resident lyricist Olle ThörnvallFind albums by this artist. The music is perhaps slightly more “conventional” than on their earlier albums, with all songs staying within the 6 minutes limit, but the great melodies and the exceptional performances are definitely a fitting compensation. The album is another classic Scandinavian Prog gem, which sounds every bit as good now as it did originally. A must!

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TRETTIOÅRIGA KRIGET ~ I BÖRJAN OCH SLUTET MELLOTRONEN 023 (Barcode: 7320470086247) ~ SWEDEN ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2006 - 2007 Released: 2007 7th album by the legendary Swedish Prog band Trettioåriga KrigetFind albums by this artist (The Thirty Years War) and the 2nd recorded after the band reunited in 2002. All the original band members: Stefan FredinFind albums by this artist (bass & vocals), Dag LundquistFind albums by this artist (drums), Christer ÅkerbergFind albums by this artist (guitars), Robert ZimaFind albums by this artist (lead vocals) and Mats LindbergFind albums by this artist (keyboards) as well as the lyricist Olle ThörnvallFind albums by this artist take part in the recording. The music continues on a similar track established by the 1st reunion album (Elden Av ÅrFind albums with this title) and is in fact the 2nd part of a planned trilogy, similar to the trilogy that the band created on the first 3 albums recorded 30 years ago. The overall atmosphere of the album is more melancholic and laid back than the previous album, with strong bass lines and beautiful mellotron work painting the typical dark Scandinavian musical vistas. It’s obvious that the band has a lot of music left yet for us to enjoy. This music requires several listening sessions to sink in, but is full of beauty and profound musical pleasures. Considering that this band served once as an inspiration to a whole generation of Swedish Prog bands (LandberkFind albums by this artist, AnglagardFind albums by this artist, AnekdotenFind albums by this artist and others) one might hope that now they can inspire a whole new generation to follow, creating more of this wonderful music. This is a delightful and most warmly recommended album, which will stay with the listener forever.

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TRETTIOÅRIGA KRIGET ~ TRETTIOÅRIGA KRIGET (EXPANDED EDITION) MELLOTRONEN 016 (Barcode: 7320470067079) ~ SWEDEN ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1974 Released: 2004 1st album by the legendary Swedish Prog band Trettioåriga KrigetFind albums by this artist (The Thirty Years War), formed in 1970 by core members Stefan FredinFind albums by this artist (bass) and Dag LundquistFind albums by this artist (drums). After recording a demo album in the winter of 1970-71 (released only 34 years later as Glorious WarFind albums with this title), the band went through some personnel changes and by the time this eponymous album was recorded the “classic” lineup of the group was formed with Christer ÅkerbergFind albums by this artist on lead guitar and Austrian born Robert ZimaFind albums by this artist on lead vocals and guitar. Fredin was the main composer in the group, which played a unique blend of dark, hard-edged Prog, with great melodies and complex rhythm changes. The guitar work of Åkerberg is truly amazing and his great feel for blues, jazz and rock and his improvisational abilities are outstanding. The album is one of the formative Scandinavian Prog releases and a classic of the genre. It lost nothing of its power and originality over the years and is wholeheartedly recommended to all Prog fans, especially to those who adore the Swedish school to be later developed by groups like AnglagardFind albums by this artist, AnekdotenFind albums by this artist and Isildurs BaneFind albums by this artist.

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