ALBUM REVIEW: Come This Madness – Europe
Some bands thrive in evolving, whilst others like to keep their original sound, maintaining the legacy they have built. When EUROPE first released The Final Countdown, it launched them into superstardom. They built a reputation of writing bombastic, anthemic rock tracks that sound larger than life. Now, nearly four decades later, they still manage to pull off these arena made anthems, as their brand new album Come This Madness is packed with fun, energetic songs that will directly transport you back into the 80s. The decade which first gave the Swedish band the fame that they still have all these decades later.
The Cult Of Ignorance is the second track on the album, and it is the first highlight. It is both synth and guitar driven and has a super catchy chorus despite the bizarre verses. The guitar solo is treated as a transition from second chorus to the final chorus. After this final chorus, the synths take control to wrap the song up, taking us instantly back to the 80s.
The fourth song is possibly the best ballad that you will hear this year. This Time of Year is a breathtaking showcase of passion and technique. Once again, the track is led by the keys of Mic Michaeli. This song stands out because of how the bridge connects to the spectacular chorus. The chorus has a subtle build up so you can sense it coming, but do not expect it to be as huge as it is. The melody choice is perfect for this particular song and you can truly feel every word frontman Joey Tempest sings. The guitar solo here, is once again basic, but leads into an incredibly powerful key change for the final chorus, which is how the song ultimately ends.
Scandinavian Eyes is another anthemic track. Starting off with the synths playing the chorus melody, when the drums arrive, so does the main riff, increasing the energy. When the chorus arrives, the tempo slows slightly to give it more of an ambience. The second verse, however, is once again rapid. This time, there is a synth solo which transitions into the guitar solo which adds an element of variety this record needs at times. Mikael Åkerfeldt from OPETH even lends his signature harsh vocals across the album, adding more variety again.
The Devil’s Back is one of the heaviest if not the heaviest song on the album. The main riff is groovy yet will undoubtedly encourage you to bang your head. The verses are simple but lead into the catchiest chorus on the record. The hook is instantly memorable and catchy. The chorus is exceptional and is incredibly technical. This technicality continues in the final chorus as in the background, it is clearly noticeable that guitarist John Norum was given plenty of space to improvise, marking another memorable listen to an already memorable album.
Overall, Come This Madness is not only fun and nostalgic, it also showcases the Swedish veterans taking on heavier, more modern rock once more. Showcasing the variety EUROPE have been famous for since their inception. With the 40th anniversary of the iconic The Final Countdown, Come This Madness gives them much more reason to celebrate.
Rating: 9/10
Come This Madness is set for release on September 25th via Silver Lining Music.
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