Trettioariga Kriget, (Thirty Years War), started in Saltsjobaden, Sweden back in 1970. This latest effort, Efter Efter brings to a close the trilogy of albums which began with The Fire of Years back in 2004, after being away from each other for over 20 years. Between 1974 and 1981, the band had made five albums.
Stefan Fredin did most of the writing on this album. Stefan Fredin handles bass guitar, vocals, and acoustic guitar. Dag Lundquist plays drums, percussion, and sings backing vocals. Robert Zima is the lead vocalist. Christer Åkerberg plays electric & acoustic guitars. Mats Lindberg plays the keyboards. Olle Thörnvall contributes lyrics.
This is a very good epic prog album from Sweden.
"Mannen på bänken" starts out with cool lead electric guitar, bass and drums with Zima on lead and Lundquist on backing vocals. The lyrics are Swedish, so you need a translator, but the music needs no translation. The music is very good. This has a little of the "James Bond Theme" guitar mixed with proggy rhythms. Good start.
"Barnet" starts with excellent bass and electric lead guitar with keys supporting. It's more of a jazzy sound, until the momentum picks up and it gets heavier. Then the pace picks up and the sound gets more rock oriented. The drums keep good pace. Some great Mellotron like keyboards pick up later and make this one of the best songs instrumentally. The launching guitar moments are also very good.
Cool, Santana/Pink Floyd – like solo electric guitar and organ keys open "Tavlan". Then, Zima brings the vocals along with the drums, bass and lead electric which follow. That organ – like keyboard paints an eerie picture behind the main production. Then it opens into a bouncy rhythm only to change again to a slow bass influenced guitar solo.
"The Dance" is a rocking instrumental full of more of those good organ keys, bass, drums and some interesting lead electric guitar meandering.
Slow bass guitar and Zima's vocals open "Glorious War". The guitar and drums continue with Zima telling the song's story in Swedish, with slow keys in the background. Later, they break into an excellent guitar and drum instrumental which is one of the best on the album.
"Till en sputnik" opens with a cool bass and lead guitar riffs supported by drums. Then the pace picks up again and the band takes off with some 'Presence era' Zeppelin guitar licks, bass and great drums.
"Paus" is a very cool acoustic guitar and vocal track, ala "The Wall" from Pink Floyd. It is a cool break and one of the better parts of the album.
"Efter efter", is the epic closer and it opens with epic keys and lead guitar supported well with drums and bass. The flute – like keys are a wonderful addition that makes this the best song on the album. The keys later take off on a few flights ala Tony Banks, which definitely take this track to the top. The bass and drum support is excellent. Some of those launching lead guitar licks are fantastic.
Track Listing
1. Mannen på bänken (The man on the bench)
2. Barnet (The child)
3. Tavlan (The painting)
4. The Dance
5. Glorious War
6. Till en sputnik (For a sputnik)
7. Paus
8. Efter efter (After after)
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