THE BLACK FOREST

Agents Of Mercy is a brainchild of Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) and it's quite easy to identify an album with his signature. His pattern of composition is unmistakable and it's already a stamp in the 'new' wave of Prog Rock. Although in The Black Forest (2011), latest release by Agents Of Mercy band that he founded with Nad Sylvan, he comes with darker shadows. And not only with the lyrics, with the compositions too. Maybe Roine father's death have something to do with it, it was about the same time.

As usual the band that plays on the album is sharp. None other than Lalle Larsson (keyboards) and Jonas Reingold (bass). Names that any Flower Kings fan knows by heart.

'The Black Forest' starts werdly the album and the track has many changes in its 11:10. The chorus seems to mention Gentle Giant with "The Power And The Glory" line. 'A Quiet Little Town' was written by Nad Sylvan and it's quite different. 'Black Sunday' has weird vocals followed by organ and synths. Full of rhythm and heavy like few times I've seen Roine been. 'Elegy' is classic. Violins and piano give its sound. 'Citadel' is followed without blank space and has its lyrics inspired by Elizabeth Bathory de Ecsed (Google it), first track where Roine does lead vocals. 'Between Sun & Moon' reminds me a Rush's track with the same name, but there's nothing to do with it. Roine sings again. One of my favorites in the album. Great line on the lyrics:

"When you look for a lifeline And reasons to soldier on Take a look at your offspring and The seeds of success you've sown"

'Freak Of Life' is another one written by Nad and it's a Circus kinda track, this to match with the lyrics that talk about old time Circus. 'Kingdom Of Heaven' is the last song and it's almost instrumental. Almost cause Roine sings just one line: "No more fears, no more tears?' probably has everything to do with his father again. The Black Forest (2011) isn't really a conceptual album, but there's a sort of concept in it. They're talking about the dark side of life and people.

Great album.