Influenced by the sound of the 60s and 70s where organs and guitars harmoniously danced in a wonderful tête-à-tête, Sweden’s Svartanatt unleashed a myriad blend of retro rock with their November release of Last Days of Earth.
With Jani Lehtinen on vocals and guitars, Felix Gåsste on guitar, Anton Fors on bass and background vocals, Martin Borgh on organ and keyboards, and Daniel Heaster on drums and percussion, the five pieces are giving me a wonderful blend of Motorhead swagger with the harmonies of The Doobie Brothers.
Like many before them, Svartanatt explores societal disillusionment and existential introspection throughout Last Days of Earth and says this about the album,
“There’s a lot of doom and gloom on this album, at least in the lyrics. Faith in humanity, society and our own existence is nothing but a memory. Buried beneath a monument saying, ‘your days are numbered, welcome to hell’. But one man’s loss is another one’s gain. What will rise from the ashes?”
The eleven tracks were recorded at Svenska Grammofonstudion under the eye of Martin Borgh, who recorded and mixed the album, while Hans Olsson Brookes handled the mastering.
On recording, the band adds,
“There has been no shortage of creativity and fun when recording this album. There’s a lot of classic Svartanatt but also an expansion of the sound. On the album’s last track, ‘Where I Belong’, Lars Heaster (Daniels dad) has put down an epic trumpet that rides the album into the sunset. Magical, if we may say so.”
Svartanatt carves out a timeless rock sound by intertwining melodic guitars, thunderous organ tones, high-octane drums, pulsating basslines, and distinct, cutting-edge vocals.
Timeless, like the band, Last Days on Earth is a spot on the album for an end of the world party. Tight, concise, raw, and refined, it is an album that not only redefines but rebirths the iconic sounds of 60s and 70s rock.
MUST LISTEN TRACKS: “Mad Stranger”, “Child of the Devil”, “I’m Ready”, “Time is On Your Side”, “What You Want”, “Where I Belong”
