Lugnet - Tales From The Great Beyond (IEX)

There is no escape from the Motherlode - this eternal continuum of high drama and superheated ampstacks that are suitable for raising the pulse and invigorating the mood. It is the unmistakable band chemistry that turns alkaline Hard Rock into gemstones. Stockholm's Lugnet have mastered this alchemical art. Steamrolling grooves and grandiose hymns, built on a 70s Rock. The primordial stamping of the early Deep Purple, the apocalyptic sermon of Black Sabbath and the cinematic majesty of Rainbow can easily be recognized in the almighty storm and urge. But this sound is enriched with charisma and idiosyncratic energy, which effortlessly brings fresh, lively life into a classic form. The spark was ignited in 2009 when Fredrik Jansson-Punkka (drummer Angel Witch, Witchcraft, Abramis Brama and Count Raven) met bassist Lennart 'Z' Zethzon at the Sweden Rock Festival. Guitarists Bonden Jansson and Mackan Holten and singer Roger Solander joined them for three years. On the second album, Solander was replaced by Johan Fahlberg, who combines the daring charm of the Dio/Coverdale tradition with his very own flourishes and personality, while Bonden Jansson made way for guitarist Wunderkind Matti Norlin. After the Sweden Rock Festival 2018, Mackan Holten (Troubled Horse) joined as a new guitarist and Lugnet had found the ideal form. Whatever the future holds for Lugnet, this machine fires from all pipes, and rockers of all kinds would be well advised to get on board or out of the way.