GATHERING OF KINGS – Discovery (2020)

“Discovery“, the highly anticipated second album of the Swedish all-star project GATHERING OF KINGS, easily manages to meet expectations. It’s a brilliant hybrid of bands like ECLIPSE or H.E.A.T. and BOSTON and MAGNUM. The new songs mostly written by mastermind Victor Olsson (SAFFIRE) works very positively in terms of tightness of the material, and using different renowned vocalists everything works perfectly.

With this second album, what started out as just a project has now become a full fledged band that has tightened up their line up, but has still left room for musical guests. I honestly feel this is one of the things that appeals to me most about this band, the mix of musicians that take part in what they do and the multiple vocalists that fill each track.

I actually prefer the different vocalists across the tracks because each has their own style and tone that brings something special to each one that would be lost without them. I don’t think ‘Kiss From Above’ would be the same without Alexander Frisborg, he has a completely different range and tone than the others that lifts this track up.
The same could be said for ‘Heaven On The Run’, it would have sounded completely different if Rick Altzi was replaced by Frisborg. For me, as someone who loves great vocals, this makes Gathering Of Kings stand out against the other AOR / Melodic Rock bands out there.

I could go on forever about this rag tag of musicians and singers as they all are bloody magnificent and their performances are equally good. But I would beat myself up if I did not mention Jonny Lindkvists (Nocturnal Rites) incredible vocals on “December”, Rick Altzi (Masterplan) kicking ass and taking names on “Final Hour”, and Tobias Jansson´s (Saffire) heartfelt and powerful singing on “The One That Got Away” to name but a few.

Lets not forget the writing either. Without the extreme writing talent of Olsson and Alexander Frisborg this band would be something totally different. This duo completely dominates when it comes to the writing. The only words I can come up with trying to describe their collaboration is magic.
I don’t know how they do it, but they manage to pull in the vibe of the late 70’s through the 80’s that I grew up with and infuse it throughout in the music. Every time I have listened it has instantly transported me back to those years of my life and I have felt this way with both albums.
To me, if an album can do something that profound, it is very special.

When it comes to the musical side of the album, the musicianship and skill of all the players involved lend to a cohesive sound. There’s a genuine feel in the music that holds the truth of what AOR and Melodic Rock are supposed to be.
Where a number of other band’s albums out there feel disingenuous and forced, ‘Discovery’ flows in an effortless feel.

Looking at the layout of the tracklist, it was well thought out. It allows the listeners experience to flow through many different directions yet at the end they all come together and feel complete. There’s also this really cooperative feel to the tracks that no one is trying to stand out alone, but all come together as one. I really enjoyed that and I think listeners are going to truly appreciate it as well.

My final thoughts on ‘Discovery’ is that it’s going to be another tough battle at the end of the year for the ‘best album’. Listeners who want to experience something ‘big’ in this genre, this is the album for you: huge doses of Eighties melodic hard rock and a generous helping of keyboard laden AOR.
Simply incredible!

01. Starsleeper
02. Riders Of The Light
03. Heaven On The Run
04. December
05. Highway To Paradise
06. The One That Got Away
07. Lorelei
08. Moonlight
09. Revelation
10. Kiss From Above
11. From A Whisper To A Scream
12. Final Hour

Rick Altzi – lead vocals (3,12), backing vocals
Jonny Lindkvist – lead vocals (4,8)
Apollo Papathanasio – lead vocals (2,9), backing vocals
Tobias Jansson – lead vocals (6,7,11), backing vocals
Alexander Frisborg – lead vocals (5,10), backing vocals
Victor Olsson – guitars, bass, keyboards, backing vocals
Efraim Larsson – drums (2-8)
Jonas Kollsbock – drums (9-12)

Special Appearances:
Nalle Pahlsson – bass (3,8)
Joel Selsfors – keyboard solo (12)
Erik Gafvelin Wiss – keyboard solo (7)
Henrik Sethsson – backing vocals (10)
Theresia Svensson – backing vocals (6,7,10)
Ron Dahlgren – backing vocals (10)
Mathias Kihlberg – flute (9)

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