A power trio from Sweden who reside on Small Stone Records...that sounds like a recipe for success, and that is indeed the case here with the new release from Gothenburg's Langfinger, titled Crossyears. Comprised of Kalle Lilja (guitars, backing vocals), Victor Crusner (bass, keys, lead vocals), and Jesper Pihl (drums, backing vocals), Langfinger list their main influences as Mountain, The Who, and Grand Funk Railroad, three legendary bands of the early heavy rock scene, and as such Crossyears is dripping with classic flavors from that golden era. Though the band are still young, this is their third album together, and the synergy is quite apparent on upbeat hard rockers like "Say Jupiter", "Fox Confessor", and the rumbling "Silver Blaze", as the blistering, bluesy riffs collide with busy drum fills and groove laden bass lines. Crusner is not only a nimble bass player but a strong vocalist, his high pitched wail soaring like a young Robert Plant across these vintage styled '70s rockers. "Atlas" is more atmospheric, with thick Hammond organ and searing lead guitar permeating the mix, while the groove laden "Buffalo" recalls the glory years of Grand Funk and Humble Pie as the band omit plenty of swagger and attitude. One of the strongest tunes however is the majestic "Ceasar's Blues", a Led Zeppelin influenced number with melodic bluesy sections that crash into powerful metallic bombast, Crusner commanding the troops with his potent delivery as the thundering rhythms and huge guitar riffs slay the landscape. A similar vibe is displayed on "Last Morninglight", Lilja's booming riffs recalling Jimmy Page, Leslie West, and Tony Iommi, with the rest of the band thundering behind him. His killer riffs again wow the listener on the somewhat proggy hard rocker "Window in the Sky", completing a powerful trio of songs to close this highly enjoyable album.
If you love albums like Mountain's Climbing!, any of Led Zeppelin, Humble Pie, and Grand Funk Railroad's first few, and even The Who's Who's Next, you'll find plenty to sink your teeth into here on Crossyears. Add Langfinger to the already healthy list of outstanding Swedish retro rockers who are keeping the sounds of the '70s alive.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1. Feather Beade
2. Say Jupiter
3. Fox Confessor
4. Crossyears
5. Atlas
6. Silver Blaze
7. Buffalo
8. Ceasar's Blues
9. Last Morninglight
10. Window In The Sky
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