Monday 6 October 2014

Skånska Mord - S/T EP (Review)


Album Type: EP
Date Released 03/11/2014
Label: Transubstans Records

‘Skånska Mord’ Vinyl tracklist:

1). Illusion (04:13)
2). Leaving (03:57)
3). A Room Without A View (04:19)
4). Black Salad (03:42)


Bio:
If you missed out on SKÅNSKA MORD's earlier releases - you can't let this one slip thru your fingers. This is their first release on Transubstans, a 4 track EP released on black / solid white 12'' vinyl. Recorded at Lemon Recording Studios with engineer Martin Ekelund, this EP is the brilliant follow-up to their two critically acclaimed albums "The Last Supper" (2010) and "Paths To Charon" (2012).

Once again, SKÅNSKA MORD proves the winning concept of blending one of the strongest voices in Swedish rock history together with the dynamic, blues, psychedelic and hard-riffing tunes that practically steams 70's groove.

From the opening track "Illusion" to the fantastic cover of JANNE SCHAFFER's "Black Salad" (with a guest appearance by JANNE SCHAFFER himself), you will for sure get your dose of the "pick me up" SKÅNSKA MORD always deliver.


The Band:

Jan Bengtsson
Petter Englund
Patric Carlsson
Patrik Berglin
Thomas Jönsson

Review:

Skånska Mord’ self titled debut is a short but sweet blast of 70s rock. Beginning with the straightforward rocking opener “Illusion” of which the highlight is a rip roaring guitar solo at the end and some blistering leads during the main parts of the song. As the track progresses these guys sound a lot like a less weird Mammoth Volume.

Harmonica!!??! But yes! Beginning with a cool swingy guitar chord section moving into a slow blues jam the second track “Leaving” has some really slick song writing shifts. The transition from the verses into the bridge section is really well done and despite being a blues track it doesn't really feel like a typical 12 bar blues. The third track “A Room Without A View” begins with a guitar line that wouldn't necessarily be out of place in a 70s Isley Brothers track. Some nice smouldering atmosphere into the heavier chorus sections, when the bridge hits, it's a totally different kind of change then present on the rest of the album and is a nice touch.

The most blatantly 70s influenced track, is closer “Black Salad” which begins with rolling stuttering drum fills and big guitar riffs. Moving into some driving slightly funky bass with some nice lead guitar melodies then consolidating back into riffs. This track wouldn't be out of place on the Captain Beyond S/T or even Grand Funk Railroad's earlier works (before they turned into pussies). An instrumental track, the guitars shine here with some nice freakouts. The production on this record is pretty damn good and everything is clearly audible and it sounds retro without the bad parts of a retro production. Check it out below.

Words by: Chris Tedor

You can pick up a copy here