 
One of the most influential and without a doubt
one of the most overlooked classic rock act Europe
are back with their 9th studio album, doesn’t
seem a lot when the band has been kicking around
since 1979 but even if you don’t think that
you do, you know at least 1 of this Swedish super-group’s
tracks, “The Final Countdown” and
that right there is one of the most famous songs
of all time. They did however take a massive hiatus
from 1992 til 2003 which is a whopping 11 years.
Their previous effort in 2009’s “Last
Look At Eden” was met with a mixed reception,
given a good 3 years what have they brewed up
for us this time around?
Well I must say it’s great to hear Joey
Tempest’s vocals again, it really is as
he is definitely in possession of some extremely
dynamic, ranged and distinctive vocal chords.
He flaunts that trademark style all over opener
“Riches to Rags” pushing its raw power
to further heights! Also a driving force in this
band is the ridiculously talented guitarist John
Norum who blasts out some of the biggest riffs
you’ve ever known; “Not Supposed To
Sing The Blues” was their first single and
Tempest, Norum and Kevin Shirley production are
a combination not to be reckoned with. Everything
just fuses together so gracefully, the vocals,
guitar work, production and Mic Michaeli’s
keyboard input , all of this and on the title
track “Bag of Bones” Joe Bonamassa
provides some guest guitars which provides a great
blues invasion.
Stunning, infectious, beautifully crafted, masterfully
produced, what more could you ask for from any
musical release? Maybe for it to give you a massage,
open you a beer and do all your work for you but
living in the real world this is the best you
can expect, the bar has been raised, step up world
this is the standard we want from every album!
5/5
Review by James Webb
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