ARCTIC RAIN – The One (2020)

ARCTIC RAIN is, quite simply, the new Melodic Rock / AOR sensation from Sweden. The band is a result of the collaboration between songwriter / keyboardist Pete Alpenborg, guitarist Magnus Berglund, and singer Tobias Jonsson. Later on, bassist Gert Daun and drummer Jonas Jonsson joined forces with Arctic Rain for the recording of their upcoming Frontiers Music debut album, ‘The One‘.
The aim for the band was to write songs with strong melodic rock vibes based around the type of tasteful instrumental harmonies typical for a lot of acts in the ’80s and ’90s.
And Sweden did it again: ”The One” is a wonderful debut plenty of hooks and AOR melodies to die for.

While the core of Arctic Rain is undoubtedly Alpenborg’s songwriting (he has an impressive track record, having worked with acts such as Revolution Saints, House Of Lords, Issa, Toby Hitchcock, Sunstorm, Kee Of Hearts and many more), Berglund’s tasteful guitar playing and Tobias’s amazing voice also assist in creating an outstanding final product that once again demonstrates why Sweden is the golden land of melodic rock.

Citing influences like Def Leppard, Journey, Whitesnake, Mr Big, Foreigner, Talisman, among many others, Arctic Rain delivers classic stuff with an ’80s feeling. With a keyboard player as the principal songwriter, I expected their music to be heavily synth centered.
To these ears, the main and most impressive musical element is Berglund’s melodic guitar riffs and abundant swirling solos. And I mean abundant.
All the songs have the traditional major solo, but many others are laced with several shorter lines. Examples include ‘Lost’, ‘Free My Mind’, ‘Friends’, or ‘Love Of My Life’.

After these thing, the next notable music element is simply the clean lead vocals and vocal arrangements. Tobias Jonsson has a powerful voice, with a strong phrasing. More importantly his voice follows the melody and harmony of any song with ease and aplomb.

Arctic Rain play pure AOR / Melodic Rock. They do so in a fresh manner and sound contemporary for the most part while the 80s influences are sweet. And they do have nothing to envy from acts like ONE DESIRE, LIONVILLE, WORK OF ART, GATHERING OF KINGS, or even ECLIPSE.
Massive keyboards, highly melodic guitars and a really great vocalist make “The One“ an absolute highlight of the year so far.
HIGHLY Recommended

 

01 – Breakout
02 – Free My Mind
03 – Friends
04 – Give Me All of Your Love
05 – Lift Me Up
06 – Lost
07 – Love of My Life
08 – The One
09 – Madeleine
10 – Night After Night
11 – Take Me to Your Heart

Tobias Jonsson – vocals
Magnus Berglund – guitars
Pete Alpenborg – keyboards
Gert Daun – bass
Jonas Jonsson – drums

 

Pre Order:
www.amazon.co.uk/One-Arctic-Rain/dp/B089774M24