Lars Eric Mattsson : “Sand and Blood” CD & Digital 16th November 2017 Lion Music.

Lars Eric Mattsson : “Sand and Blood” CD & Digital 16th November 2017 Lion Music. Finland Rock / Prog / guitarist. No need to introduce this man who has made lots of albums. Following the album “Songs From a Different Room” from  2015, this one is much more worked in many ways . The big YES influence is strong and you sometimes with few songs like “Snow Queen” get a way back in time. His ability of playing different jazz, technical guitar parts yet adding melody to make the song floating smoothly in your ears.

While I still don’t like that kind of flanger effect on his voice, the eleven tracks of emotions and rocking tunes gets me liking the album. The lyrics are much concentrated on the “love” theme with songs such as “Bleed For You”, ” Queen of Love” , “Can’t go on without your love” 2017 version…

A great album you can dig easily, for those who love those 70’s and 80’s Rock, Hard Rock, Prog bands you will love it. Great solos sometimes reminding Malmsteen in the melody way. The most amazing is the last track which doesn’t sound anything like the album! A female vocal with a strong melody , Adrienn Antal has a very beautiful voice and it somehow brings another blood to the album.

I wish they were more songs with her on the vocals , sorry Lars but she really brings a different touch on your music. The last track is a bit sad to end up this album that has passion and rocking power.

So there you go have a listen :

In the overall it’s a great album that could have been done decades ago but still a good music that keeps it’s great feeling and release by a good musician 98/100.