Isle Of Wisdom

BY Hallas

(Customer Reviews)

$15.00

SKU: NPR1124DP

Label:

Napalm Records

: Category:
Hard Rock

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Swedish retro-rockers have moved up the food chain, landing with Napalm Records for their latest release. The band have touches of proto-prog in their sound but it also incorporates a lot of elements of 70s hard rock. You'll quickly be reminded of Wishbone Ash (circa Argus) and Uriah Heep but wrapped up in medieval trappings. Plenty of swirling organ in the soundscape. Like their previous album I get similar vibes to the late, great Black Bonzo. These guys must be a blast to see in concert.

"Traversing once again through an alternate medieval universe with the noble knight HÄLLAS, the originators of adventure rock have journeyed farther and wider on their quest to the Isle Of Wisdom to bring an evocative, feel-good blend of proto-70s rock to the world. Bringing with them a plethora of psychedelic and folk influences, HÄLLAS have once again devoted themselves to the eccentric and theatrical, sonically fusing the sound of the rock greats of yore with a bedazzling, fantastical twist. Isle Of Wisdom contains opus after opus as the band take their bold and euphoric sound to a whole new echelon, cementing their incredible trajectory in the world of rock.

When you listen to HÄLLAS you cannot help but be uplifted by the joyous music that this band make. From the triumphant choruses, soaring melodies and triple assault from the guitars and organ underpinned by a constantly moving rhythm section, it is hard to not to feel like you are HÄLLAS the intergalactic medieval knight himself, travelling to the many corners of the universe. Over the band’s three albums, the aforementioned knight has been the centre of their lyrical stories, he is involved in a religious war caused by a tyrannical queen. In this new chapter of his adventures we see HÄLLAS employ even more masterful mystery, shivering suspense and glorious triumph to their sci-fi auditory experience.

The band know how to craft an engaging and magnificent story that you can become immersed in and take great delight from. With Tommy Alexandersson‘s unique vocal delivery, singing nobly poetic lyrics, the Isle Of Wisdom has heart-warming charm and innocence that launches you back to the days as a child when everything was an adventure and your imagination was unobscured by modern turmoil. HÄLLAS have such a warmth about them that this invitation to join them in their own RPG is one that everyone will gleefully accept.

The retro nature of the album, from its song-writing to its production, is captivating. Some of this has to come down to the fact that the band produced the album at the Riksmixningsverket Studio in Stockholm. The studio is home to some of the unique synthesisers used by the greater Swedish pop export ABBA, and HÄLLAS once again had a rare chance to use them. They did so and then some. The album’s layered synth sound is glittery, glamorous and richly extravagant. Alongside the 1970s vibe from the rest of the album, HÄLLAS have achieved retro rock stardom with this album.

In an album packed with soaring splendour, each song stands out and leaves an indelible mark on you in some way, shape or form. Birth Into Darkness is a tone setting, impressive opener swathed in synths and mystery. With Alexandersson’s impassioned vocals weaving in-between the dynamic, melodic riffs of Alexander Moraitis and Marcus Petersson it is the perfect way to start this illustrious adventure. Earl’s Theme strips it back slightly, employing choral elements and synthetic brass sections to create an epically enthralling atmosphere around warding off evil following a noble leader. Gallivants (Of Space) is the jewel in the album’s crown, with grandiloquent melodies, valiant riffs and swirling synth mastery provided by Nicklas Malmqvist. Bringing together all of the elements that make the Isle Of Wisdom so captivating, it is clear that this is the major climax of this chapter of HÄLLAS‘ adventures. Finally, album closer The Wind That Carries The World is an epic demonstration of all the band’s virtuosity and incredible song-writing, leaving you desperately thirsting for more as it fades out into the blackness of space.

HÄLLAS have touched upon something magical, unapologetically running with their imagination, and there is a considerable amount of love, joy and creativity that has been poured into this album. Isle Of Wisdom is a balls-out, enjoyable and captivating album from start to finish and you’d be foolish to miss out on such an extraordinary adventure." - Distorted Sound

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