PREHISTORIC ANIMALS

The Swedish band Prehistoric Animals creates anything but prehistoric music. No, what we hear here is a fresh and modern prog sound, a creative blend with the power of prog metal, the artistry of neo-prog, the catchiness of a pop song, and the uniqueness of alternative rock. The band's sound often reminds me of another Swedish formation: A.C.T.

"Finding Love In Strange Places," their fourth album, slightly shifts the boundaries of this bold combination towards a bit more power. Meanwhile, the music is still built around the extensive keyboard work contributed by each of the four band members. Also, Stefan Altzar's clear high lead vocals show no inclination to roar or bellow anywhere. That would be completely out of place because the album is essentially about love. "Finding Love In Strange Places" is once again a concept album, this time featuring a number of dystopian love stories. The beautiful cover, a creation by Mattias Noren, feels like a movie poster, and the hyper-melodic music seems to be the soundtrack. They would truly deserve it, the guys play impeccably.

There's a tight rhythm section present in the persons of bassist Noah Magnusson and drummer Samuel Granath. Their play, with its deep bass tones and groovy rhythms, provides a solid foundation. Although this has never been different, they truly shine on the new album. Opener The City Of My Dreams with its delightful 80s vibe, its razor- sharp guitar chords, and its infectious melodies is an atmospheric mini-epic that charms and captivates, leading you into the stories of the upcoming songs.

The album features three short pieces that, with their more subdued atmosphere, form a beautiful contrast with the 'real' songs. There's piano in A Bad Day For The Neon Gods, cinematic music in Strange Places, and acoustic guitar in Come Home. Such pieces are inherent to a concept album, and here too, they provide balance.

The catchy Living In A World Of Bliss and the varied Unbreakable add even more color to the album. Especially Unbreakable is a strong presence with its explosive choruses and its swaying verses driven by percussive drums. Guitarist Daniel Magdic (ex-Pain Of Salvation) also makes his mark. And don't overlook that blissful Jean Michel Jarre- like intro. Creative minds rule half the world.

A remarkable track on the album is He is Number 4, a grim affair. It is characteristic of the band's tempestuous side. The highlight of the album, in my opinion, is The Secret Society Of Goodness, where 80s-tinged keyboard work provides a nice pulse. Here, Prehistoric Animals is entirely unleashed, as if it were the culmination of the concept, and given the reflective nature of the closer Nothing Has Changed But Everything Is Different, that is understandable.

When I first listened to the promo of "Finding Love In Strange Places," I only knew the band by name. I quickly took care of that. Year-end list material, come out of your cave and grab your slate.

Orginally posted on www.progenrock.com

PREHISTORIC ANIMALS was founded in 2015 on an alternative prog base in line with a heavier A.C.T. Stefan with Daniel (ex-PAIN OF SALVATION) are moving towards melodic metal with this 2nd chapter, always on the story of Cora and Jareth entangled in a plot story where the end of the world is approaching. Groove and sharp riffs with solos where feeling is put before dexterity and hints of RUSH, MUSE, EVERSHIP, PINN DROPP and HILLWARD that I reviewed last year.

'An Empty Space' electro space intro with vocals from behind and 'We Harvest the Souls of the Brave' arrives powerful, hip and melodic; limit djent by the riff of the nervous guitars, the layers of synth coming to temper the ardor, recall on the 30 '' TO MARS and HAKEN; the well-tempered and complex guitar solo is mind-blowing. 'I Am the Chosen One (and I Like It)' in the same vein with a thundering bass supported by fresh keyboards; more monolithic and electro, longer and latent. 'Ghostfires' with a well placed riff and a soft voice in comparison confirms the alternative rock side; the second part with a vocal megaphone amplifying the chorus takes the receiver far, to note again an airy and nervous guitar solo which unfolds by itself. 'Cora's New Secret' nice intro, short; consensual title with the chorus and the killer solo on the same basis.

'The Protectors of the Universe' longer spatial intro which I like, synth in reverb, everything is fine for a soft title until an acceleration voice and rhythm which thrills and gives character and changes favorably. '2100 (New Year's Eve)' with a slow tempo, nervous phrasing for a sound reminiscent of metal stadium titles, it changes in the melodic continuity. 'Pull Me In' runs for synthetic ballad, eyeing electro prog pop. 'It's a Start, Not the End' 9 minutes for the title that gives me regrets: if everything had the same charisma, the same sensitivity, we would have one of the albums of the month by the progression given on this title; sound apart, Stefan's admirable voice, the serenaded guitar solo, the heaviness of the break, the hovering drift, everything is there to melt with pleasure.

PREHISTORIC ANIMALS has made a musical symbiosis of progressive, alternative rock and frenzied pop, a compendium of all-round rock that should not be forgotten just for the last title.

Engines are running in full load here! They are offering a powerful attitude in any case. Constituted by multi-instrumentalists Stefan Altzar and Samuel Granath the project evolved to a real band, at least since they opened the 'The Magical Mystery Machine' series in 2020. And so ex-Pain Of Salvation member Daniel Magdic (guitars, keyboards) and bassist Noah Magnusson are not simply supporting again with their instruments. Moreover, at least concerning this Chapter 2, all the credits are assigned to the complete band. Hailing from Sweden the quartet is offering a consistent flow composed of nine appealing songs. The niveau is constantly on a high level, not always a matter of course regarding other productions. Very nice cover art, yet once more contributed by Richard Dearing. The entire look and feel is referring to a Sci-Fi concept. This is based on, respectively connected to current issues in our society of course.

'Some people wanna be free, some people wanna be ruled by someone ...' context-wise Cora and Jareth, the latter in between gets imprisoned by the 'Protectors Of The Universe" organization, are still collecting the essence of humanity. Good luck you both! If I should highlight any particular track, well, let's take Ghostfires, highly melodic, this one makes my day especially. I Am The Chosen One (And I Like It) offers a straightforward groove and shredding guitar riffs, close to (prog) metal. Finally, concerning the playing time knocking at the 10 minute border, It's a Start, Not the End makes you expecting more. A worthy conclusion featuring Altzar's fine singing voice. Partially sounding close to the likes of Pinn Dropp, Brother Ape, The Cyberiam, Hillward, to name a few, this album certainly is a pleasant well produced listening experience, especially for prog fans who are feeling comfortable on the heavier side of life.