It was only two years something ago since Swedish Classic Rock four-piece Prins Svart (Prince Black) released their self-titled debut album and the second half of 2020 has just begun and we are now been treated with their third effort. This band has proven to be highly productive without giving in on quality one iota. On the other hand, their albums follow the tradition from the 70’s, both in musical style but also the way bands never overdid things back then. Instead of filling the records with songs to the max, this band’s records never holds more than eight songs which means that we, the fans, doesn’t have to deal with fillers. Quality before quantity. I embrace that fully. That’s why when they now release their third album, a bad song still haven’t seen the light of day from this lot.
But things have happened in the prince-camp since we last were brought a new album from them. When they toured the second album, 2019’s Inte Här För Att Stanna (Not Here To Stay in English), it stood clear that lead singer Stefan Berggren didn’t have the time to fulfill his duties and had to cancel too many gigs which led to him leaving the band for good. The band – guitarist Henrik Berqvist, bassist Thomas Thorberg and drummer Sebastian Sippola – managed to get Mats Levén (Skyblood, Candlemass, Therion, Treat, Yngwie Malmsteen) to fill in for Berggren and when Prins Svart now is current with a new record, it’s with six different vocalists on the eight tracks. As a big fan of this band, I was intrigued by this and even without Berggren, my expectations here are sky-high.
The new album opens with the second taster “Inte Så Lätt Som Det Ser Ut” (Not As Easy As It Seems) which features said Levén at the mike. What we’re given here is a punchy and rough Classic Rock belter that holds both edgy guitars and a big, fat keyboard arrangement. The tune is where early Rainbow and Led Zeppelin meets on a solid, stompy rhythm and an in-your-face attitude. It’s probably not a single for the charts but it’s still very memorable and exciting and the powerhouse chorus is both distinct and effective. It’s also the first time I hear Levén sing in his native tongue but since the guy is a world-class vocalist, one of the best out there, I’m not the least surprised he brought it home with a splendor. This is absolutely amazing.
Håkan Hemlin might not be known to rockers outside of Sweden but here most of us know who he is as his duo Nordman was huge in Sweden for a few years in the mid 90’s. Hemlin is the voice on leading single “Här Finns Bara Jag” (There Is Only Me), a cracking, rhythmic bouncer with a robust and dark attitude that’s also somewhat laid-back in a slight eerie way in the verses. The tune also holds a symphonic keyboard arr picked up from the mid 70’s somewhere and a softer, laid-back keyboard-laden passage that creates a distinct dynamic. It’s a crunchy and rowdy rocker that actually lacks an uplifting chorus – which isn’t an issue at all – but a razor-sharp guitar solo that borders to early 80’s Metal. I admit that I have never been much of a fan of Hemlin’s voice – I’m still not – but he works very well here and the song is stunning. Love it.
“Drömskåp På Glänt” (Cabinet Of Dreams Ajar) is a one minute slightly progressive 70’s style instrumental interlude with a big groove that holds rolling drums and some “aaaaaaaaah” chanting, something that makes me think of modern day Opeth. This little snippet does its job even though I wish they had turned it into a “real” song and it leads us into “Sanningen För Mig” (My Truth)- sung by one Jan Åström – a slow yet groovy blues-ballad that’s grandiose yet earthy and groundy. It’s a bit laid-back but still raw and never soft – and it’s pretty much a mid 70’s time-machine of a song. The modern-day Opeth vibe shows up in this track as well at times but it never gets close to cloning. The chorus fires up and gets more punchy, sparky and tough and the same goes for the solo-part. It’s a soulful and atmospheric track with striking melodies and a chorus that hits like a ton of bricks. Magnificent!
“Ingen Minns Oss När Vi Går” (No One Remember Us When We Leave) comes with verses that goes into a slow, dark and stripped direction but gets lots heavier where the raw riffing reminds me not so little of early Black Sabbath. This is a hard and tough and aggressive rocker carried on a stone-hard heavy rhythm and some intense, strong and ballsy vocals by bassist Thorberg. It glances towards Metal even but in a 70’s way and the chorus attacks right for the throat – very distinct and effective. Bloody awesome! “Om Det Dom Viskar Är Sant” (What They Whisper About Is True) – vocals by Matti Alfonzetti (Skintrade, Impera, Jagged Edge) – is a crispy, 70’s based Classic Rock groover. It follows a straight-forward rhythm, some funky grooves and catchy melodies that leans over towards slight poppier outlooks. The song’s chorus is spot-on and delivers a massive catchiness, all in the name of edgy Classic Rock, of course. Killer stuff.
Thorberg also sings the stripped and held-back ballad “Allt Mitt Liv” (All Of My Life), a stripped and down-to-earth, singer-song writer type of track, very fine-tuned and even smooth within its main-melody and a brilliant breather with a calming atmosphere. Guitarist Bergqvist sings the tune and does that with all the glory. Mighty good. As a closer we get a live version of “Den Gröna Manalishi Med Tvåhornad Krans” (The Green Manalishi With A Two-horned Wreath) which features old singer Berggren. It’s a raunchy and edgy blues-rocker, dark and even ominous at times and very rootsy. It’s heavy with some beefy riffing, resting on a rhythmic beat that’s both groovy and punchy. The tune takes on a faster paced passage without losing its beat and chug. A great closer and a great way to say goodbye to their old lead-singer.
Judging only by the quality of the songs and the production, this is the best Prins Svart album to date, which kinda speak volumes as the previous records has been nothing short of brilliant. I have also gotten used to them singing in Swedish – an old issue of mine – and now I actually believe it enriches their craft. The fact that they’re using different vocalists is also an interesting stunt – to hear Levén and Alfonzetti sing in Swedish is a first for me. But unfortunately it also gives the album a sort of split impression – these are after all singers with lots of identity and phrase of their own. Song by song it works splendidly but the unity of the album gives in some. To be honest, it’s not really an issue as the album is so solid that it feels like a bagatelle. Under Jord (Below Ground) is an organic, stripped and down-to-earth yet big, bombastic, heavy and in-your face all killer, no filler album that needs to find a place in the home of every rock-lover out there. Go get it!
9/10
More Prins Svart reviews:
Prins Svart
Inte Här För Att Stanna
Tracklist:
1. Inte Så Lätt Som Det Ser Ut
2. Här Finns Bara Jag
3. Drömskåp På Glänt
4. Sanningen För Mig
5. Ingen Minns Oss När Vi Går
6. Om Det Dom Viskar Är Sant
7. Allt Mitt Liv
8. Den Gröna Manalishi Med Tvåhornad Krans
CD & Festival reviews 