Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography

JONO

Crossover Prog • Sweden


From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Jono picture
Jono biography
Founded in Gotland, Sweden in 2006 and disbanded in 2021.

The band JONO consisted of five Swedish musicians, living on the island of Gotland. Started as a solo project of singer Johan NORRBY (hence the name "JoNo"), the band was assembled after the debut album has already been released.

A record was made, released in 2006, involving some of the members of the later line-up. However, NORRBY decided to go for a band project instead and teamed up with the guys, whom he knew would make a perfect match. The band started working on new material, which ended up being the songs for the album Requiem.

All the members of JONO are musicians with a wide experience of all kind of musical styles. The guitarist, Stefan HELLEBLAD, is also a member of Dutch symphonic rock stars WITHIN TEMPTATION. The drummer Nicka HELLENBERG played all the drums on WITHIN TEMPTATION's album The Unforgiving.
Besides working with JONO all of the members have been involved in a lot of other band settings and music jobs, such as recordings, music production and so forth.

Bio reproduced with permission from band

JONO Videos (YouTube and more)


Showing only random 3 | Search and add more videos to JONO

Buy JONO Music


JONO discography


Ordered by release date | Showing ratings (top albums) | Help Progarchives.com to complete the discography and add albums

JONO top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.44 | 15 ratings
JoNo
2006
4.13 | 31 ratings
Requiem
2013
3.98 | 48 ratings
Silence
2015
3.90 | 42 ratings
Life
2017

JONO Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

JONO Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

JONO Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

JONO Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

JONO Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Life by JONO album cover Studio Album, 2017
3.90 | 42 ratings

BUY
Life
Jono Crossover Prog

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer

4 stars This is the fourth studio album from Swedish band Jono, which started as a solo project of singer Johan Norrby (hence the moniker "JoNo"), who has been singing, writing, and playing music in various bands and projects over the years. This applies also for all the other members of the band. Guitarist Stefan Helleblad is a member of Dutch symphonic sensations Within Temptation. Drummer Nicka Hellenberg also played all the drums on Within Temptation's "The Unforgiving" and has an impressive resume involving bands and recordings. Both keyboard player Johan Carlgren and bass player Janne Henriksson are frequently hired for both live and studio sessions. Leo Olsson - also a busy musician - joined the band in 2015. The first thing I noticed was that these guys don't conform to what I expect from bands on the Frontiers label, namely that the music was certainly quite a lot slower, and that not only did it appear that more thought and care had gone into proceedings, but that here was a band that are determined to keep their own identity.

Johan is one heck of a singer, but although this may have started as a solo project this is very much a band, and a band who are out to provide melodic hard rock with some interesting progressive tendencies. Definitely more crossover than progressive metal, whatever anyone else says, this is a great mix of styles that is going to find interest with fans of Kansas and Queen. There is no rush to get through to the end, but instead the arrangements are layered, and while no-one ever forgets that guitars turned up are incredibly important, it is the keyboards that underlie much that is going on and provides the foundation. With a singer as strong as Johan, the band are able to take it all very calmly and can rely on him to hit the notes and then stay on pitch.

The overall impression is that here is a band at the very top of their game. I haven't heard any of the other albums, but if they are as good as this then I am going to have to seek them out. This is high class melodic rock that in some ways contains elements of the Seventies, yet is very much of the present day.

 Life by JONO album cover Studio Album, 2017
3.90 | 42 ratings

BUY
Life
Jono Crossover Prog

Review by Rune2000
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars After two great melodic records as a band, Jono have managed to get some acknowledgement for their sound. After hearing the news that the band had signed with Frontiers Records, I felt a bit sceptical on the decision knowing that this particular label is usually keen on letting the artists keep their retro sound intact as much as possible (see some of the latest releases by Asia, Boston, Dokken, Foreigner, Mr. Big, Toto etc.). Seeing that Jono is still a relatively new band, there is still quite a bit of their style development left for them to uncover. Thus being signed to a record label that expects them to keep a specific style might not be the best thing for the band. This was of course pure speculation on my part, luckily this release turned out to be another keeper!

Life is another great piece of the puzzle in the Jono discography. The material here might not be as eclectic as on the previous releases. Most of the tracks are either slow and epic or heavy and mid-tempo but that might just be because of the frame of mind that Johan Norrby and the rest of the band were in at the time of the recording. I also noticed that the compositions on this record are slightly longer that previously with the average track length of roughly 5 minutes.

Sailors kicks things of with a mid-tempo guitar riff and the overall structure of the composition reminds me of the previous album opener Man Of Misery, which is a nice way of saying that Jono is back and the band is sounding as good as ever. Crown begins with some unexpected electronica sounds until the song returns to the more traditional Jono track filled with its share of twists and turns. No Return is where the band really kicks this album into a higher gear as we're introduced to one of the most majestic vocal performances from Johan Norrby and the overall instrumental arrangement really highlights his performance.

Downside is another peak from the album as the composition goes through many twists before delivering one of the strongest choruses of the album. The guitar riff, which dominates most of this track, is highly addictive and you'll probably catch yourself humming it a few days after hearing it. The rest of the compositions are all quite enjoyable and well-paced but I feel like they never top the two highlights that I've mentioned previously. To be honest, I think that a few songs like To Be Near You and especially Trust could have been trimmed just a little bit. But this doesn't take away from my overall enjoyment of this album. I highly recommend Life to everyone who has enjoyed Requiem and Silence. This album is definitely a continuation of those two albums but there is definitely a feeling that Jono are beginning to uncover some new ground for themselves and it wouldn't surprise me if their next outing is going to be a career defying masterpiece. We'll just have to wait and see!

***** star songs: No Return (5:11) Downside (7:26)

**** star songs: Sailors (4:01) Crown (5:45) On The Other Side (3:56) To Be Near You (6:56) My Love (4:52) The Magician (4:55) Trust (7:35) The March (5:05)

 Requiem by JONO album cover Studio Album, 2013
4.13 | 31 ratings

BUY
Requiem
Jono Crossover Prog

Review by Second Endeavour

4 stars JONO is a superb addition to the Swedish prog-rock contingent. The group consists of Johan Norrby (lead vocals & keyboards), Stefan Helleblad (guitar, b/v), Johan Carlgren (keyboards, b/v), Janne Henriksson (bass, b/v), Nicka Hellenberg (drums & percussion). They demonstrate an admirable command to exhibit a fantastic soundstage. Compositionally, their album 'Requiem' gives a nod to the past, while its feet are planted in the present. This amazing venture does echo back to the 'good old days' of classic Queen (70's era), yet with a side order of Kansas. Some riffing and quirky moments can remind about fellow countrymen A.C.T. The first thing that struck me was the captivating vocals of Johan Norrby. His singing, on most occasions, evokes the passion and magnificence of Freddie Mercury. The music is setting the scene for incredible voice to lead the way towards a shore. Definitely, Jono has what it takes to catch many, many ears. There's a full blown affair with quite well handled changes in pace. There are passages with abundance of keyboards, inventive guitar patterns and masterful rhythm section. This five-piece is capable to weave a musical texture that's dynamic and melodic, intense and laidback, purposeful and dramatic. Their 'Requiem' bursts with accessible heartache and splendor! Highly recommended.
 Silence by JONO album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.98 | 48 ratings

BUY
Silence
Jono Crossover Prog

Review by KingBarbarossa

5 stars Jono is a lightly prog flavored hard rock band from Sweden with an irresistible and infectious sound. The first association you might draw would be that they share some characteristics with Queen. Theatrical vocals with emphasis on melody while rocking the house with a display of great musical skill. Other bands that came to mind were A.C.T and Presto Ballett.

The general mood is uplifting but also offers a healthy amount of depth. The arrangements are wonderfully over-the-top, serving a meal of guilty pleasures wrapped in a great sounding production that adds even more fun into the mix. The occasionally Brian May sounding guitar work is a treat and snappy drums which I was sorely missing with Queen. Another thing that sets them apart from many others in a very positive way is in the song writing. They successfully avoid the flaw of many other bands especially in the hard rock/AOR genre that one often has to wait for the chorus to get to a redeeming portion of the song.

It has been a long time since I found a rock band of this kind of music style that could get me excited. I found both their albums "Requiem" and the latest "Silence" to contain some excellent tracks.

Any nitpicking or room for improvement? Besides wishing that they had printed the lyrics in the booklet I can say there isn't much, but it wouldn't be me if I didn't have any 2 cents to add: I generally preferred the up-tempo rockers over the ballads and I could imagine the vocal harmonies to become more distinct as well as more room for instrumental interludes. But this is really no complaint as much as personal wishful thinking.

Anyway, this was an exceptional find - Thank you, Jono!

 Silence by JONO album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.98 | 48 ratings

BUY
Silence
Jono Crossover Prog

Review by omphaloskepsis

4 stars 77/100 for Jono's Silence. These guys live on Sweden's largest island, Gotland. I can't help conjuring film footage of Ingmar Berman's Island and all the art going on. Midnight sun, fun, and half my 2000's progressive rock collection comes from Sweden. What's in the water? Johan Norrby is the lone singer and leader, although you can hear guitar connections and percussions from the "Within Temptation." boys.

Silence is a fun album. Puts me in a good mood. I listen to Silence more than I should. Johan has a Ronnie James Dio accent, and is prone to vocalize like Freddie Mercury ( As when the Mercury drops low). Lots of songs I can sing to- crowd swaying anthems, circuit mid 80's Dio sans Diablo . Silence is good when it's loud, but it may be better in the quiet moments. Jury is still out on Jono, but I bet these guys are good live. I want to see and hear more. I've listened to the addictive "The One To Blame" twice a day for a week. Three times on weekends, so I'll put blame on JOhan NOrrby and his/their prog metal anthem surprise. Fans of Dio and Queen should check out the "Silence"

Four stars...Excellent addiction to any progressive rock collection

 Silence by JONO album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.98 | 48 ratings

BUY
Silence
Jono Crossover Prog

Review by Rune2000
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars After showing the world just what Jono were capable of with Requiem, the band went on to expand on the same principles while adding more depth and grandiosity to their performance!

While Requiem was an excellent album, I felt that there was too much of a contrast between the faster melodically inclined material, the ballads and symphonic compositions that felt like they were performed by a completely different band. Even though I highly enjoy all sides of the band's repertoire, there was a lack of coherency between them. I am happy to announce that this is not the case with Silence where every single composition feels like it has been performed by the same collective. The album features a clear ambition to unify the many sides of the band, in some cases within one and the same performance.

I have been mesmerized by this band's ability to constantly create high quality melodically driven compositions boosted by equally skilled musicianship. Silence has quite a few of these moments scattered all throughout the album with Wasting Time, Your Bread and The One To Blame being the most obvious examples of instantly recognizable tracks that one just can't stop listening to. But even though these shorter and quirkier compositions manage to build the groundwork for an excellent album, it's actually some of the quiet moments that make this album a true gem for fans of progressively inclined rock music. I'm talking about tracks like magnificent Clear and the seven minute Opus which is a multi-suite in the great tradition of Bohemian Rhapsody. It took me quite a few spins in order to uncover the magic behind these two compositions so don't be impatient if you don't happen to enjoy them at first.

Jono manages to keep their unique sound throughout Silence but there are a few moments that sound as if their influences get the limelight, especially on Turn Around which sounds very influenced by ABBA while In My Life picks at Supertramp and Queen. Overall, these influences don't take away from my experience since the material and the performance make these compositions sound very original in their own right.

I highly recommend Silence to fans of art rock bands like Supertramp, 10cc, A.C.T and Queen. It will be interesting to see if Jono will be able to top this album in the future, especially considering that they have so far never managed to disappoint me with their material!

***** star songs: Wasting Time (2:49) Your Bread (3:38) In My Life (5:00) Clear (4:58) The One To Blame (3:03)

**** star songs: Man Of Misery (3:02) Can We Make It (4:17) Turn Around (4:56) Opus (7:09) Josefina (1:17)

 Requiem by JONO album cover Studio Album, 2013
4.13 | 31 ratings

BUY
Requiem
Jono Crossover Prog

Review by Rune2000
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars The sophomore album from JoNo is a huge improvement over the debut album, featuring excellent compositions that are enhanced thanks to the instrumental arrangements that clearly sound more like a team effort.

Unlike the debut album that was in fact a solo record by the band's front man Johan Norrby, Requiem features arrangements and recordings that were clearly made by a band. This makes Norrby's already strong compositions even stronger and gives JoNo the opportunity to deviate from the verse/chorus/verse blueprint that was prominent on the previous record. This means that we actually get a few instrumental interludes, guitar solos and overall a richer musical experience.

My favorite moments are the pompous and melodically rich compositions and there are quite a few of these on Requiem. Some of the best ones are the magnificent guitar-driven opener I Was The One, Nothing which features more of the same greatness plus a nice keyboard solo and the two power pop tracks Best Thing and Dead Or Alive. The rest of the album is a bit more low key, with Letting Go and Love Again being the most obvious links to the band's debut album.

Requiem is definitely a more polished version of JoNo than what we've experienced on their debut record. I really like that this transformation has managed to make their music influences less prominent and thus making their material sound a lot more original. There are still a few moments that remind me of Queen, Supertramp and Muse, but nothing that distracts me from enjoying the compositions that JoNo is presenting me with. This is a great record and a sign of the things to come!

***** star songs: I Was The One (3:49) Nothing (3:59) Best Thing (4:05)

**** star songs: Judgement Day (5:20) Letting Go (6:00) Symphony (4:01) Requiem (6:11) Dead Or Alive (3:48) Love Again (4:16)

 JoNo by JONO album cover Studio Album, 2006
3.44 | 15 ratings

BUY
JoNo
Jono Crossover Prog

Review by Rune2000
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars The first album from JoNo was released in 2006 and was in fact a solo album by the Swedish artist Johan Norrby. The album does feature some of the current members of today's band but the sound of the record feels stripped down and centers around the vocals and keyboards delivered by Norrby. The material consists of shorter tracks, none of which goes beyond the 5 minute mark, featuring strong melodic hooks and distinct vocal approach from Johan Norrby who, to me, sounds like a mix between Freddie Mercury, Russell Mael of Sparks and Matthew Bellamy of Muse.

When compared to the later albums by JoNo it's pretty clear that this album is not as progressively inclined with most of the material following the strict verse/chorus/verse blueprint and the song arrangements are far from as memorable as some of their later standout compositions. Still it's far from a bad record predominately due to Norrby's strong vocal performance and the excellent melodic hooks that are featured on most of these tracks.

There are definitely a lot of familiar sounds here since the band clearly wear their influences on their sleeves with Queen, Supertramp and Muse being the most prominent ones. The most obvious example being the chorus of The World Is Spinning which sounds almost identical to Queen's Flick Of The Wrist. This is not necessarily a bad thing for a new band that have not yet found their own sound, so I'm not holding these moments against JoNo.

I would not recommend this debut album to people who are new to JoNo. If you're, on the other hand, already familiar with JoNo albums Requiem and Silence and feel that you need more of the band's material to hold you over until the next record comes around, then this debut album is definitely worth a few spins. Remember that this album is far from the team effort and thus does not yet feature some of the instrumental prowess that is shown later on.

***** star songs: The Meaning Of Life (4:30)

**** star songs: You Can't Touch Me (2:27) Feeling (2:57) When You Smile (4:21) Just A Man (2:42) The World Is Spinning (4:51) One Man (3:33) Live (2:13)

*** star songs: Every Little Thing (4:57) All Around (4:08)

 Requiem by JONO album cover Studio Album, 2013
4.13 | 31 ratings

BUY
Requiem
Jono Crossover Prog

Review by Windhawk
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars Swedish band JONO started out as the solo project and creative vehicle of composer and musician Johan Norrby back in 2006, and an initial album was released under that moniker back then. Since then Jono has evolved into a real band. "Requiem" is the second full length album by Jono, released through the Swedish label Musicano Records in the summer of 2013.

While Jono's second album "Requiem" may not be regarded as a progressive rock album per se, it is an extremely well made production of the kind that easily merits a description as fairly sophisticated and accessible hard rock. As far as references go, the lead vocals, as well as some theatrical flairs and occasional arrangements and lead motifs, emphasizing that association, Queen and Freddie Mercury are names that come naturally as far as associations go. I suspect the greater majority of fans of those will highly enjoy this album, as will those who know how to appreciate well made, melodic and catchy sophisticated hard rock in general.

Thanks to andy webb for the artist addition. and to Rune2000 for the last updates

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.