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Black Bonzo - Sound Of The Apocalypse

SKU LE1048
As a forward thinking progressive rock label, The Laser’s Edge is constantly seeking contemporary sounding bands…well maybe not always. When we first heard the incredible retro vibes of Black Bonzo’s debut album “Lady Of The Light” we knew that someday we would collaborate. That time is now.

Black Bonzo was formed in 2003, from the ashes of the 8 piece psychedelic band Gypsy Sons Of Magic. The resulting album received acclaim through out Europe and saw the band concentrating their efforts in their native Sweden. With the release of their second album, Sound Of The Apocalypse, the band is really to increase their presence around the world.

The music of Black Bonzo is fixed on a bedrock of 70s hard rock bands such as Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, and Queen. Upon this foundation are obvious progressive influences from Camel, Gentle Giant, Genesis, and Yes. Keyboardist Nicklas Ahlund’s fixation for analog sounds reminds of Ken Hensley’s massive wall of Hammond organ, Mellotron and Mini-Moog. With guitarist Joakim Karlsson offering Blackmore-esque solos as the perfect counterpoint to Ahlund’s intricate playing you will think you stepped into the Way-Back Machine! Vocalist Magnus Lindgren provides as much drama as Peter Gabriel or Jon Anderson could ever muster. The rhythm section of Anthon Johansson and Mike Israel bridge the gap between Led Zepellin and King Crimson.

Sound Of The Apocalypse is one of those great crossover albums that will appeal to fans of progressive rock, stoner metal and hard rock. The album features state of the art production with a 70s feel – it was actually mixed on the same console used by Pink Floyd for their Animals album. The album comes packaged in a gorgeous digipak.

"What kind of contempt do so many Swedish musicians have for contemporary music that they cleave so tightly to bygone eras? If you heard Black Bonzo's self-titled album blind, you'd think it was a long-lost 70s classic unearthed. The quintet revels in old-school progressive and arena rock, with Nicklas Åhlund's analog keyboards and Magnus Lindgren's warm, forceful singing leading the way. Retro in the very best way, tunes like "Fantasyworld," "Freedom" and the magnificent "Lady of the Light" are the progeny of a genuine love affair with 70s sounds, and the band's enthusiastic embrace of melody makes even the most mold-threatened passage go down sweetly. The burning passion and loving craft put into Black Bonzo makes it more than just an exercise in nostalgia, bringing it into the level of heartfelt revival". – High Bias

  • Style:Progressive Rock
  • Record Label:The Laser's Edge
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Customer Reviews

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Amazing retro band playing in a 70's progressive meets hard rock style with elements to Uriah Heep, Tull, ELP, Genesis and Yes...believe it or not this to me is every bit as good as the bands of the 70's that influenced them...but never sounds like a copycat...this is even better than their great debut "Lady Of The Light" that was very heavily influenced by Uriah Heap...it easily supasses it in sound and classy tunes.
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Black Bonzo, corresponde a una banda Sueca contemporanea que interpreta un rock estilo retro modernizado. Es como si escucharamos a los actuales Spock Beard mejorados y los mezclaramos con Uria Heep y los primeros Queen, con toques de AOR. Podemos escuchar variados elementos del progresivo clasico, como solos de Hammond, guitarras estilo Queen, una potente base ritmica de batería y bajo y un vocalista muy bueno que recuerda en algunos momentos a Uria Heep en sus momentos mas suaves o a Queen en sus inicios y a algo de Kansas. La verdad es que Black Bonzo es una grata sorpresa dentro del actual espectro de bandas nuevas en que la mayoría de ellas incorporan elementos metaleros. Aquí solo encontrarás elementos clasicos sacados de muchos grupos del 70, principalmente Uria Heep, Queen (primeros discos), Kansas y los actuales Spock Beard. Recomendado para los rockeros y progresivos amantes del 70. Hugo Castro Salinas Santiago de Chile
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