BANKS OF EDEN

Five years ago, I bought The Sum Of No Evil (2007) and I enjoyed that album a lot. Knowing The Flower Kings I was expecting a new album on 2008? but it never came. In fact, we had two live albums, The Road Back Home (2007) and Carpe Diem (2008), and that was it. Then in 2009 Roine Stolt started a new project called Agents Of Mercy, then there was a new Transatlantic album, pretty much every Flower King member had new solo albums being released. I thought to myself that The Flower Kings had come to an end. Well, I had to wait 5 years, but I was wrong. In mid 2012 the band got together again and recorded a new album, Banks Of Eden (2012) and I have to say, their best so far.

Although I didn't understand why the 'normal' and 'bonus disc' version thing. I can honestly say that the 5 years hiatus made wonders to the band members. Then you include a new drummer (Felix Lehrmann) and here you go. Songs like 'Numbers', 'For The Love Of Gold', 'For Those About To Drown', 'Rising The Imperial' and 'Illuminati' are between their best tracks ever.

This five years hiatus thing could be used with bands like Dream Theater or Neal Morse as well, because on The Flower Kings case, it was the right thing to do!

Banks Of Eden (2012) is on my Top5 2012 easily!