STARLIGHT BRIGADE – Destination Eternity (2016)
“Destination Eternity” is the just released, third album from STARLIGHT BRIGADE, a project fronted by Swedish songwriter / guitarist Anders Nilsson. The band includes numerous musicians, and while Nilsson perform lead vocals, there’s also four additional lead singers into the album.
What picked my interest in “Destination Eternity” was to see the great Peter Sundell listed in the line-up.
If the name does not ring a bell, Sundell is one of the finest Melodic Rock / AOR vocalists from Sweden, founder of masters Grand Illusion and recently part of the exellent C.O.P last album (featured HERE on the blog and a highly recommended listen).
Anders Nilsson is an experienced musician, member of Eighties bands such as Ride The Night or Night Wind, and composer & arranger for many Rock&pop bands from Scandinavia. But recently he felt the need to create his own band to record his own songs, and Starlight Brigade born.
Starlight Brigade is influenced by classic bands from the 70s / 80s, and while it’s tagged as a Prog band, musically it has few points in common with the pure essence of this genre.
“Destination Eternity” in fact is Rock&Pop musical venture including elements from all Rock sub-genres, read hard rock, melodic rock, light prog and a bit of pomp. The songs are short (song format), with sometimes catchy choruses and accessible arrangements.
To get an idea, think a mix of the more commercial side of Barclay James Harvest, ’80s Camel, Alan Parsons, the hard rocking UK project Forcefield (including Cozy Powell), the recently featured here Don Airey’s K2, and a touch of Pink Floyd and you have an approach of Starlight Brigade’s sound.
Although opener “Across The Milky Way” does not represents the true sound / style of the album (also it’s the only long track), check the music video below. With few resources Nilsson created a superb audio visual treat for the senses:
As said, on “Destination Eternity” there’s rocking moments, elaborated passages, then sudden catchy choruses, lots of variation. Sometimes guitars are sharp, then subtle, elegant, you have lovely keys / synths, and quite strong vocal arrangements.
All lead vocalists are really good – you’ll discover Peter Sundell’s tracks easily as are the best – supported by layers of female backing vocals providing a nice – and classic – effect.
Do not be fooled by the ‘Prog’ banner of Starlight Brigade’s “Destination Eternity”, there’s something for everyone here, and if you love the bands mentioned above, do not hesitate to check this disc pronto.
Highly Recommended.
01 – Across The Milky Way
02 – Take It Or Leave It
03 – A Toss Of The Dice
04 – She Can Be Forgiven
05 – The End Of All Innocence
06 – The Shadows Of Doubt
07 – Who Will You Turn To?
08 – The Sign Of Life Keeps On Calling
09 – Painful
10 – Eternity
11 – Silent Words
12 – Fading Star v2.0
13 – The Final Sign
14 – Endlessly & Forever
15 – Since I Put My Trust In You
Anders Nilsson: Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals, Producer
Peter Sundell: Lead Vocal
Magnus Línd: Lead Vocal
Micael Lilja: Lead Vocal, Lead Guitar
Peter Hjalmarsson: Lead Vocal, Saxophone
Peter Albertsson, Anders Landin: Lead Guitar
Staffan Hagberg: Guitars
Jerry Grimaldi, Michael Svenningsson: Bass
Håkan Sandberg: Drums
Per Billengren: Keyboards
Lene Johansson, Karin Hallström: Backing vocals
BUY IT !
cdon.se/musik/starlight_brigade/destination_eternity-37351583
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