ANTON JOHANSSON’s Galahad Suite (2013)

No cuts

*

Swedish guitarist and producer ANTON JOHANSSON was part of prog-metalers Mister Kite during the nineties with whom recorded two albums and toured supporting acts like Bruce Dickinson, Dio and Saga.
But several years before the man started to concoct his own project in which he has been working all this time, then in 2007 Anton joined forces with Linus Abrahamson (Andromeda, The Codex) to shape the final touches of this conceptual work.
“Anton Johansson’s Galahad Suite” is the result, featuring an array of talented Swedish musicians including some stellar guests.

“Galahad Suite” tells the tale of a knight who was chosen by God to find the Holy Grail, but apart from the story (that may be interesting for some) the really amusing side of this recording is the music.
With a sound and style that runs across progressive rock sometimes leaning toward prog-metal (yet not too heavy), melodic rock and classic hard rock grounds with equal measure, “Galahad Suite” flows freely and naturally out of the speakers.
Anton’s songwriting -as well his pristine production- recalls British acts TEN, Bob Catley, some Magnum, Gary Hughes solo works and Starbreaker in a minor degree.
Some of the material is slightly epic oriented, but quite accessible, melodic. The band assembled for the recording sounds very cohesive, conducted to play their parts with a precise attention to detail.
The album also boasts notable guest performances by Mattias IA Eklundh (Freak Kitchen), Magnus Karlsson (Primal Fear, Allen/Lande), Jonas Hansson (Silver Mountain), Dennis Post (Star*Rats) and former Anton’s bandmate in Mister Kite Magnus Kristensson on guitars, along with keyboards by the great Jens Johansson (ex- Yngwie Malmsteen, Dio, Stratovarius) and Lalle Larsson (Karmakanic) and additional lead vocals by Alf Wemmenlind (Mister Kite, Fifty Grand Suicide) on a couple of tracks.

Talking about the vocals, the main singer chosen by Anton & Abrahamson is a revelation to me: Carl Lindquist. The textured pipes of this young guy are responsible to a great extent of these song’s appeal, carrying the melodies into a multidimensional spectre. He has released a solo EP last year that I need to check pronto.
The album opens with “Galahad ; The Hope” presenting the story, alternating uptempo and slow prog moments, but then immediately “Happy ; The Incident” goes for a pumping melodic hard rock infused with strong guitars / keys.
This song & style variation characterizes all the following tracks resulting in an interesting and varied mixture, always melodic and polished.

“Anton Johansson’s Galahad Suite” blends effectively Prog / Melodic Hard Rock / lite Prog Metal through its 10-track story which can be perfectly enjoyed as individual songs.
What I liked most about this recording is the pristine sound, the clean playing & arrangements and some excellent vocal performances, resulting in a melodious musical treat. Production is top notch, aurally perfect I’d say.
Very recommended to all audiences.

01. Galahad ; The Hope
02. Somewhere ; The Quest
03. Happy ; The Incident
04. Hunted ; The Decision
05. Morning Sun ; The Battle
06. Loneliness ; The Peace
07. Never Alone ; The Victory
08. Coming Home ; The Reward
09. Vision Divine ; The End
10. Galahad ; The Man

Anton Johansson – Production, add. Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Linus Abrahamson – Guitar, Bass
Carl Lindquist – Vocals
Mats Bergentz – Drums
Sebastian Berglund – Keyboards
Anna Forsvall Lundmark – Cello
Evelina Andersson – Backing vocals
Ellen Abrahamson – Backing vocals
Mikael Cederhag – Backing vocals

Guests:
Mattias IA Eklundh (Freak Kitchen) – Guitar
Magnus Karlsson (Allen/Lande, Starbreaker) – Guitar
Jens Johansson (ex- Malmsteen) – Keyboards
Lalle Larsson (Karmakanic) – Keyboards
Alf Wemmenlind (Mister Kite) – Vocals
Jonas Hansson (Silver Mountain) – Guitar
Dennis Post (Star Rats) – Guitar
Magnus Kristensson (Mister Kite) – Guitar

BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/Galahad-Suite/dp/B00CK42KT8