BERGGREN KERSLAKE BAND – The Sun Has Gone Hazy (2014)

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At the end of last year we presented here on this blog the BERGGREN KERSLAKE BAND advanced EP from their full length debut “The Sun Has Gone Hazy” which just has been released by German label AOR Heaven.
The BKB was founded by Swedish guitarist & singer Stefan Berggren, known for his stint with The Company of Snakes, the blues-rock band formed by ex-Whitesnake guitar tandem Micky Moody / Bernie Marsden, and recently for his vocals on the excellent Revolution Road debut already presented here.
The other leg of the band is no-other than legenday British drummer Lee Kerslake (Uriah Heep, Ozzy Osbourne’s first album Blizzard of Ozz).

Experience can be either a benefit or a burden for a musician, in the case of Kerslake & Berggren I think it is a benefit considering the quality of the production on this album. But not only that, the songs are classic in style and yet they feel fresh.
What we have here is seventies inspired bluesy classic hard rock with today’s production. That is a lethal combination when it’s done with the class these talented musicians own. The music of BKB, while also featuring the solid four-string talents of Tomas Thorberg (ex- Snakes In Paradise, John Norum band) and keyboard contributions by Joakim Svalberg (Opeth, Yngwie) is focused on Stefan Berggren’s passionate vocals and Kerslake’s distinct sense of rhythm. You know when Lee plays on a record even without reading the credits, his swing is unique.

The album kicks off with “Walk Tall”, a very solid and powerful rocking song. Its mid-tempo, bluesy rock swagger develops into an exceptional slice of melodic blues rock and roll in the mould of later-era Bad Company or early Whitesnake. But the track also carries its own vibrant sound and features some great harmony-guitar and six-string lead lines from Berggren.
By contrast, follower “Super Sonic Dreem” (not Dream) is a full-steam ahead rocker driven by Lee Kerslake. Recalling the drummer’s illustrious past, the song is a distant second cousin of Uriah Heep’s ‘Easy Livin’ in tempo, energy and short bursts of Heep-esque backing vocals.
But there’s far more to the album and BKB than just melodic blues and classic rock.”My My” surprised me with its laid back feel that builds from an understated vocal and acoustic opening to blossom in to a song of many layers, featuring a couple of organ / keyboard runs and string-like mellotron (played by Kerslake) that only add to the atmosphere of the track breaking the pattern of the first two songs and gives some roundness to the album.

Title song “The Sun Has Gone Hazy” is not hazy at all, but again a strong hard rock song, contrasted by follower “Free” which can be described as a classic Whitesnake power ballad with acoustic-based core, but carrying some mid-heavyweight punch.
“Fools Asleep” brings back that bluesy feel from the beginning of the album, and next the mid-tempo “As Time Goes By” has a gospel chorus taking it to the next level in a more heavenly way. One of the highlights of the album.
The only song title that makes you realize that you’re not in the seventies anymore is “Rock ‘n’ ‘Roll Gangsta”. You might wonder who the ‘gangsta’ is, but judging by the raw rock sounds it could be Jimi Hendrix meets Deep Purple.

Despite its classy rock, bluesy atmosphere, “Back On The Road Again” is almost an AOR song. Yes, the skeleton, the verses and the melodic line, reminds you the early ’80s years of the genre, and of course, it’s one of my favorites.
The album ends with the gentle slow melodic rocker “Born Again” where Berggren displays a great frailty and emotion in his voice before kicking up a gear for an uptempo finale rich in melodious guitar riffs, hammond and dynamic drumming. A very pleasant ending to this very good record indeed.

“The Sun Has Gone Hazy” has the potential to be labeled as a perfect innovation for classic rock and traditional hard rock, both brought back to life in a big way here. All the songs are good, the singer impresses, the musicianship tight and the ‘vibe’ is excellent.
With the Berggren Kerslake Band, Stefan Berggren’s blues-infused hard rock pipes have found their home; here the singer has done his best vocal work to date – and none-too-shabby guitar work and keyboard touches – to some great new, classic rock inspired material. Add Lee Kerslake who has his own way of tuning drums to create his instantly recognizable sound. His swingin’ & energetic playing drive these songs with great charisma, and the man even sings some lead vocals.
I would say that “The Sun Has Gone Hazy” shows no weaknesses, ok, perhaps the insipid artwork… but remember, ‘don’t judge an album by its cover’.
Very Recommended.

01 – Walk Tall
02 – Super Sonic Dreem
03 – MY MY
04 – The Sun Has Gone Hazy
05 – Free
06 – Fools Asleep
07 – As Time Goes By
08 – Rock ‘n’ ‘Roll Gangsta
09 – Back On The Road Again
10 – Born Again

Stefan Berggren: Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Lee Kerslake: Drums, Vocals, Mellotron & Chimes
Tomas Thorberg: Bass
Joakim Svalberg: Organ, Moog

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