King of Sweden is a Finnish Progressive Rock band, founded in late 2019 by guitarist and singer Sampsa Nelimarkka, drummer Janne Savela and bass player Erkka Heinila. The band distinguished itself with a good debut album released in 2021 and pleasantly reviewed in our pages. The band is back with their second album, entitled “Out Of The Tunnel,” released on November 15, 2024 via Golden Robot Records and contains 9 tracks including a suite of over 12 minutes in length. Precious arpeggios open the album and the fresh “Emerald, Again,” a track with positive melodies and forays into Folk Rock. The enthralling rhythm section and instrumental textures immediately immerse us in the album’s atmosphere, with refined solo interludes. In the finale, the track ends with delicate arpeggios that lead us to the following track. The trio enhances their technique on several instruments in “The Knot,” an intense and deep track where we also find an excellent vocal performance. The intensity increases as the track progresses, with the sax adding a melancholic touch to the sound. In a continuous musical crescendo, the band takes us to explore all the facets that characterise their personal style. The first part is more Symphonic, in a continuous crescendo that culminates with more heavy sounds and fine guitar and keyboard solo interlacing. A solid Prog track, ending with a second part that interweaves instrumental sections and incisive vocal parts, bringing the atmosphere of the 70s into a modern context. Here we come to the suite ‘War Rabbit,’ lasting over 12 minutes divided into 6 parts. After a delicate and symphonic intro, the band evolves the piece into a granitic Progressive Rock with heavy stretches. The interweaving guitar and keyboards take us back in time, the band skilful in recreating classic atmospheres with a fresh and very dynamic touch. The vocals are reminiscent of early 70s British bands, and the extensive use of keyboards and good guitar solos make this epic track a real highlight of the album. Here we come to the suite “War Rabbit,” lasting over 12 minutes divided into 6 parts. After a delicate and Symphonic intro, the band evolves the piece into a granitic Progressive Rock with heavy stretches. The interweaving guitar and keyboards take us back in time, the band skilful in recreating classic atmospheres with a fresh and very dynamic touch. The vocals are reminiscent of early 70s British bands, and the extensive use of keyboards and good guitar solos make this epic track a real highlight of the album. Developed over a long instrumental section, it enhances the band’s compositional and performing technique with excellent mixtures between guitar and keyboards and a constantly evolving rhythm section enriched by tempo changes. “A Tick Dies” is a short interlude with atmospheric and experimental sounds. The sounds of a crowded club open “Old Poly,” which unfolds over delicate arpeggios2 and a warm, expressive vocal. The intensity increases as the minutes pass and the theme of the song develops with the interweaving of refined vocal and instrumental parts. Excellent guitar and keyboard mixtures accompany us to the finale with some vocal parts, for another excellent piece of classic Prog. “After the Brain Surgery” and “12 + 1” are two short passads, the first with a more Experimental Rock sound. The second offers a refined weaving of arpeggios and flute, creating dreamy atmospheres that accompany us until the following. Enhancing the songwriting and vocal parts “The Bay,” is a delicate Prog track with refined flute inserts. An interesting blend of traditional and Prog sounds, with an excellent instrumental section in the second half. With the return of the intense vocal the track ends. The album ends with the technical “Out of the Tunnel,” an energetic piece with good guitar and keyboard work and a solid rhythm section. Entirely instrumental, the track enhances the band’s technique and leaves us wanting to listen to this work again in the future. An album that confirms what was good heard in the debut, proposing a solid Progressive Rock with personal traits Good guitar and keyboards interlacing, dynamic vocal parts and a solid rhythm section full of tempo changes. A recommended listen for lovers of classic Progressive Rock sounds, managing to bring them into a modern and personal context.
Tracklist
01. Emerald, Again (04:04)
02. The Knot (07:44)
03. War Rabbit (12:25):
– I. Full Clouds
– II. The Rabbit Awakens
– III. War Rabbit
– IV. Flight of the War Rabbit
– V. Full Measure
– VI. It’s All Done
04. A Tick Dies (02:10)
05. Old Poly (08:27)
06. After the Brain Surgery (02:51)
07. 12 + 1 (01:46)
08. The Bay (05:39)
09. Out of the Tunnel (07:27)
Lineup
Sampsa Nelimarkka / Guitar, Vocals, Saxophone, Bass (track 4)
Janne Savela / Drums, Percussions, Melodica, Vibraphone
Erkka Heinilä / Bass (tracks 1, 2, 6 and 8)
Tomi Raikaslehto / Keyboards
Joni Raikaslehto / Bass (tracks 3, 5, 7 and 9)
Jan Tiusanen / Flute
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