LADY OF THE LIGHT

One of the real good bands of the new decade,Swedish prog/art/heavy rockers Black Bonzo come from the cold city of Skelleftea and were formed in 2003.Heavily influenced by the heavy rock acts of the 70's,they enter the studios to prepare and record their debut ''Lady of the Light'',which was ready just after a year.The albums was released on B&B Records,a label created exclusively for the distribution of Black Bonzo albums.

This has to be one of the best retro-sounding albums on market,everything in this album recalls the golden era of the 70's and you could even bet this album was made back then.Hints of legendary names like URIAH HEEP,DEEP PURPLE,ATOMIC ROOSTER but also KING CRIMSON and BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST are all over the place.Additionally this album contains it all.From complicated Art Rock/Prog with lots of changing moods to powerful heavy rockers with high enery and will please any fan of Progressive Rock music.Even singer Magnus Lindgren sounds a lot like David Byron of URIAH HEEP.The overall style is on the heavy side of prog with plenty of rhythmic parts,rich content and expressive vocals with also a touch of Symphonic Rock on the instrumental passages.The constant use of analog keyboards,mainly strong Hammond organ but also loads of mellotron,is absolutely magnificent and professional and this is one of the best keyboard performances to listen to today,without any kind of virtuosity or self-indulgence.Most of the tunes here are quite accesible,the listener can follow the album from the start to the very end easily and a full hour of extremely pleasant dynamic Prog Rock is in front of you.

A surprising debut by a band without big experience,''Lady of the light'' is propably among the best retro-sounding efforts of the modern Progressive Rock scene,it comes highly recommended by my side,but do not expect something really original.Just powerful Heavy Prog music of the highest quality.