SNAKES IN PARADISE – Step Into The Light (2018)
After many years, Swedes SNAKES IN PARADISE are back with a a new album titled “Step Into The Light”, via Frontiers Music. Imagine, if you will, a combination of classic British hard rock and American AOR performed by a blues vocalist who sings from the soul with four outstanding musicians laying down the musical framework.
This is what SNAKES IN PARADISE are and their sound is a result of years of songwriting with one intention in mind: to astound everyone.
Strong melodies and refrains that will stick forever in your head and a rock ‘n roll attitude are the ingredients that brought the band to the attention of the fans in 1993 when they released their self-titled debut album produced by the late Brett Walker. A dynamic record featuring classic hard rock with immediately hummable melodies, yet retaining heaviness and power.
The band’s second album, “Garden of Eden” followed in 1999, an album whose sound was inspired by Whitesnake’s more universally popular material. After the release of “Dangerous Love” in 2002, another album full of hooks and lovely harmonies, the band sadly called it a day.
Singer Stefan Berggren wound up working with Company Of Snakes / M3 (bands by former Whitesnake members Bernie Marsden, Micky Moody, and Neil Murray), Lee Kerslake (ex-Uriah Heep, Ozzy Osbourne), and Razorback, until SNAKES IN PARADISE band members reconvened in 2016 after a Swedish promoter asked them to play a show at the Rockweekend Festival in Stockholm.
Soon after, the band was connected with Frontiers who signed them for the release of a highly anticipated comeback album.
“Step Into The Light” finally arrives in 2018 and sees the band offering a solid and exciting release which once again melds the melodies of traditional AOR from the ’80s with some absolutely exquisite hard rock stylings.
That’s exactly what it does the opening duo of ‘Wings of Steel’ and ‘Silent Sky’, a great combination of classic FM radio-rock with pulsating classic-era Whitesnake clean riffs.
‘Will You Remember Me’ is one of the highlights, with an indubitable Boston / Scholz feeling especially during the chorus and the vocal harmonies arrangements.
For a midtempo AOR tune including sweet keys and acoustic guitars into the mix, check the soaring chorus of ‘Angelin’ and Berggren’s Coverdale-like verses.
A personal favorite is ‘If I Ever See The Sun Again’, that kind of epic classic rock songs full of magic, something like a cross between 1985 Deep Purple and the recent Uriah Heep album. A winner.
The sweet melodic riff of ‘Living Without Your Love’ is one of the best here, ‘After the Fire is Gone’ is classic rock of all times, ‘Love on the Otherside’ adds a bouncy groove to its foundation (plus lovely Hammond B3), ‘Life’s Been Good to You & Me’ is a joyful rocker, and title track ‘Step into the Light’ an elegant midtempo with great atmosphere.
SNAKES IN PARADISE are returning with some of their best songs ever on their new album “Step Into The Light”.
Berggren’s voice has matured greatly and songwriting is just faultless, pure and simple. I would have preferred a more crisp production sound, but don’t get me wrong, it’s fine, just in the ‘old fashioned’ way.
If you like melodic hard rock music with strong emphasis in ‘classic’ and with a bluesy foundation, then SNAKES IN PARADISE is your band.
HIGHLY Recommended
01 – Wings of Steel
02 – Silent Sky
03 – Will You Remember Me
04 – Angelin
05 – Living Without Your Love
06 – If I Ever See the Sun
07 – After the Fire is Gone
08 – Love on the Otherside
09 – Things
10 – Liza
11 – Life’s Been Good to You & Me
12 – Step into the Light
Stefan Berggren – Lead vocals, guitar, keyboards
Thomas Jakobsson – Guitar
Stefan Zimman Jonsson – Lead guitar
Tomas Pomma Thorberg – Bass
Peter Petterson – Drums
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www.amazon.de/Step-Into-Light-Snakes-Paradise/dp/B07D4ZX1Q1
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