Orkan is a young Swedish band strongly inspired by Progressive Rock sounds with Psychedelic influences of the 70s with two full-lengths to their credit and a single. The new album “Livsgaranti” was released on May 13, 2022 via Gamlestans Grammofonbolag in Digital, CD and LP and contains 8 medium length tracks. The opening track “Urskog” immediately plunges us into the retro Psych / Prog mix of the band with an intro full of energy and intertwining between keyboards and guitar. The vocal is dynamic and expressive and the sax combines well with the melodies giving greater solutions in the execution phase. An impactful opener, energetic and at the same time full of softer tempo changes, a very intense track with a valuable instrumental section in the second part with intense solos in the finale. Always very energetic and at the same time Symphonic in some changes “Leva för att dö” shows how the band is able to blend the Scandinavian sounds of 70’s Rock with their own personal traits. A solid rhythmic session with the addition of percussion and enriched by tempo changes, excellent mixes between guitar, winds and keyboards give body to the song. The vocal in the Swedish language is always very dynamic and engaging, another well constructed and performed piece. “Livsgaranti” takes its name from the band and a softer song with a warm and full of pathos singing that interprets the lyrics with passion. The intensity increases with the passage of the song which is characterized by sounds closer to the end of the 60s, recalling the American songs of Proto-Prog. In the second part the guitar offers an interesting solo cue which then leaves room for the harmonica, a track that makes us get up from the chair and dance. Melancholic guitar arpeggios open the first part of “Vägrar vara tyst – första delen” which with a change immediately increases the intensity and becomes more elaborate. Here too the sounds are a modern and personal reinterpretation of the Scandinavian music of the 70s with fine intertwining between guitar and keyboards and the sax that is added. With that Folk touch that distinguishes the music of those places and a Prog/Psych imprinting, he manages to create choral choruses and engaging guitar textures. In the second part it increases the intensity with the sax protagonist in the melodies ending in a musical crsecendo. The second part “Vägrar vara tyst – andra delen” opens with only the guitar and a deep and melancholy vocal. With the entry of the instruments the track takes on softer characters than the previous one, maintaining a melancholic atmosphere. Precious guitar inserts in the first part, to then increase the intensity and offer a solo section in the central part. The second part of the song is a musical crescendo full of tempo changes and refined passages, and then in the final embellished with a thrilling wind solo. The shorter track of the album “Sussie” is a concentrate of energy and successful riffs with a solid accelerated rhythmic session and a very engaging and cheerful choral vocal. In the central part it slows down for a short insert and then starts again ending with a good guitar solo. “Ditt fel” opens with an engaging and rhythmic sound where all the instruments come together in melodies, while the rhythmic session is constantly evolving with valuable tempo changes. The vocal interprets the song with dynamism, which in the choral refrain explodes with all the power of the band’s voices. The guitar is at the center of the scene together with the sax in the central part where the sound becomes harder for a short insert. In the second part the continuous tempo changes show the more Progressive side of the band, able to blend elaborate plots and more cheerful and engaging parts between continuous tempo changes, and then in the final conclude with percussion and a Funky touch and Rock mixed. The longest running track “Pangea” ends the album, exceeding 6 minutes in length, and begins with a dark and distorted guitar. After an introductory minute with profound sounds, the track evolves with a solid rhythm session and leading bass lines, the vocal is dynamic and the mixes between guitar and keyboard are excellent. In Progressive style they offer solo inserts, continuous tempo changes and refined and refined passages, with their trademark: quality and technique. In the central part, a long instrumental section enhances these aspects, and then returns to the vocals and closes with a dreamy touch in crescendo. A young band but with very clear and quality ideas, which is confirmed to be one of the best in re-proposing vintage sounds in a modern and personal context. The sound is solid, the compositions elaborate and well executed with the vocal always dynamic, warm and expressive. A listening recommended for lovers of Prog with Psychedelic influences and a retro imprinting, brought into a modern context thanks to the personal touch of the band.A young band but with very clear and quality ideas, which is confirmed to be one of the best in re-proposing vintage sounds in a modern and personal context. The sound is solid, the compositions elaborate and well executed with the vocal always dynamic, warm and expressive. A listening recommended for lovers of Prog with Psychedelic influences and a retro imprinting, brought into a modern context thanks to the personal touch of the band.
Tracklist
01. Urskog (4:49)
02. Leva för att dö (3:17)
03. Livsgaranti (4:38)
04. Vägrar vara tyst – första delen (5:30)
05. Vägrar vara tyst – andra delen (5:49)
06. Sussie (2:31)
07. Ditt fel (4:52)
08. Pangea (6:59)
Lineup
Theresia Dufva / Bass, Backing Vocals
Kim Bertilsson / Saxophone, Backing Vocals
Josefine Green / Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
Moa-Linn Rosenlöf / Drums & Percussion, Vocals
Fredrik Pettersson / Guitar, Backing Vocals