DESOLATION ROSE

Released barely an year after Banks of Eden, Desolation Rose puts The Flower King back on track and it´s a triumph of their talents. While Banks... was a good album, it still lacked some of the fire, inspiration and focus that made the previous work, The Sum Of No Evil (2007) , so outstanding. I am glad to say Desolation Rose has all those qualities back in spades. With the same line up as before (we hope newcomer Felix Lehrmann will stop the round-the-clock changes at the drum stool), but with far more strong material, the band is in fine form. They deliver the new songs with passion and power. The tunes are maybe the shortest they ever released: only the opener Tower One is over the ten minute mark. Still, the tunes are the same symphonic rock they are famous for, only a little more concise. It´s always good to see a seasoned band taking chances and doing something new without losing their best qualities.

Songs like the title track, The Resurrected Judas, Tower One (one of their best latter day epics) and Dark Fascist Skies are some of the strongest they have produce in years, with excellent musical ideas and inspired lyrics, plus heavier arrangements than previous works, with obvious influences of King Crimson (around the time of Starless and Bible Black/Lark´s Tongs in Aspic). All the songs are good, with a very well balance track sequence. The trading lead vocals of Roine Stolt and Hasse Forberg soars again in full force. Stolt´s guitar work is as emotional as ever and Tomas Bodin´s vintage sounding keyboards are a joy to hear. There is even a bonus CD on the special edition. Not as good as the official CD, but not bad either. There are only two songs with vocals on that part and it´s a good addition in case you´re missing their longer, instrumental parts of the first CD. Production is as brilliant as ever.

Conclusion: after almost 20 years since their debut, it´s a surprise and a pleasure to know that one of prog´s best bands from the 90´s is still alive and kicking, capable of delivering the goods after so many years of hard work and a prolific discography.

Highly recommended to anyone who likes symphonic prog rock at its best.