HYBRIS

What can I say that hasn't already been said ? This is one of those very rare, post mid-seventies albums that actually doesn't take a back seat to the very best that the golden era of Prog had to offer. A bold but true statement. You can place this along side of "Thick As A Brick" , "Selling England By The Pound" and "Close To The Edge" and it sounds like it belongs. It wasn't uncommon for the band to have three mellotrons on stage when they performed live. And they also boast one of the best rhythm sections I have ever heard. Jonas playing his Rickenbacker bass, and Mattias the classically trained drummer are both all over this one. I have heard Mattias play on other projects, but nothing comes close to his performance on "Hybris". Everything about this band and this record are first class. By the way they thank ANEKDOTEN and LANDBERK in the liner notes.

"Jordrok" opens with a minute of dark piano melodies that are joined late by mellotron, followed by angular guitar sounds, and pounding drums. Dramatic ! Then back to the serene, with acoustic sounds and flute, just thrilling music. Love the complex and intricate sounds that follow before the guitar returns with mellotron.Themes are repeated until we get some gentle guitar 3 1/2 minutes in then flute. Some powerful church organ before 5 minutes, and check out the drumming a minute later. Some great Hammond organ after 7 minutes. A dead calm before 8 1/2 minutes before it kicks back in. Flute ends the ride. Lets do it again ! "Vandringar I Vilsenhet" also starts softly with beautiful flute. It's building 2 1/2 minutes in to a fantastic but all too brief section that includes angular guitar, bass and some outstanding drumming. It calms down with flute again leading the way as vocals arrive for the first time before 4 minutes. The rest of this song is pure joy for me as again themes are repeated and changed. Brilliant ! A calm before 10 minutes as marching style drums build. Mellotron comes in gloriously and continues right to the end of the song. Nice.

"Ifan Klarhet Till Klarhet" is a beautiful mellow track that reminds me a lot of ANEKDOTEN when the vocals come in. As usual loads of mellotron and some beautiful gentle guitar leads. Flute comes in before 4 minutes as drums continue.The full sound 5 minutes in is increble but it settles again quickly. It kicks back in as guitar, mellotron and chunky bass lead the way. It's settled again, now it's building. You get the picture. I'm thinking ANEKDOTEN again 7 minutes in. What a song ! Mellotron and bass end it. "Kung Bore" is an amazing song, but then they all are. It begins with a nice piano intro then builds. The bass and drums really shine bright on this one. A calm after 2 minutes with fragile vocals before 3 minutes joining in. The deep bass is back before 4 1/2 minutes as it kicks into a higher gear. It settles again before becoming full again 7 minutes in. The bass and drumming are killer ! Check out the mellotron 9 1/2 minutes in. Flute follows. Angular guitar arrives 11 minutes in. The song ends in a pastoral manner.

All I can say is "God bless Sweden" for all the amazing music they've given us. It doesn't get much better than this.