Led these days through keyboard participant and sole last founder member Hans Lundin, Swedish symphonic prog exponents Kaipa have a venerable historical past. With 5 albums launched between 1975 and 1982 (the primary 3 that includes long term Flower Kings frontman Roine Stolt on guitar), a two-decade hiatus and 9 next albums since 2002, they’re a Scandi-prog establishment.
Kaipa’s newest, Sommargryningsljus (‘Summer time Morning time Gentle’), is themed round the concept that of a nocturnal odyssey from fading gentle to redemptive crack of dawn. It begins because the day ends with the identify observe – the primary a part of a unmarried track that bookends the album – with vocalist Aleena Gibson gently emoting as she displays at the death of the day.
Each Gibson and her partner-in-voice, Patrik Lundström, are exceptional right through this file, channelling the moving moods and personality of the tune. There’s a gloomy vulnerability in Lundström’s supply right through Chased By way of Wolves And Burned By way of The Solar and Gibson’s robust urgency in Like Thousand Dawns, in addition to nice duets between the pair.
Proceeding the adventure, Seven Birds builds regularly into larger musical topics because the voices bounce with craving they usually ship a mesmerising multitracked a capella segment. Like Thousand Dawns includes a frenetic opening with nice unison-playing between Darby Todd (lately observed in the back of the package for Devin Townsend) and the ever-in-demand Jonas Reingold on bass. Guitarist Consistent with Nilsson provides aural pyrotechnics by the use of beautiful gambling and electrifying solos around the album; his activate Spiderweb Teach is especially tasty.
Whilst containing robust musical topics, Revelationview ebbs and flows in depth to present violinist Elin Rubinsztein and recorder participant Fredrik Lindqvist room to stretch out. Overdue-night fears and uncertainties are mirrored in Chased By way of Wolves And Burned By way of The Solar and Spiderweb Teach, with the previous a observe of contrasting feels, baleful from time to time and playfully intense at others. Completely instrumental for the primary 3 mins, the band inject a jazz-fusion affect into court cases.
In the end, a rejuvenated day dawns with aid and optimism in Songs In Our Arms, and Sommargryningsljus’ recapitulating topics arrange proper at the start.
A superbly crafted file, it manages to seize the majesty of vintage symphonic prog with a distinctly Scandinavian flavour. Nearly 50 years after Kaipa first shaped, Hans Lundin is to be applauded for proceeding to supply such rewarding tune that delights and feeds the soul.
Sommargryningsljus is on sale now by the use of InsideOut Track.
