Progressive music has a way of reaching into people's souls. Attractive, unpredictable and yet so intelligent, a paradox right? Not for this band. Three guys from Sweden agreed that this is the only music they could create from the heart and call it their own creation. Having been session musicians for many years on a lot of projects and albums, they where eager to finally express themselves to a 100%. Not through words, but through their music. These guys need no further presentation, because together they have recorded and participated on over a 100 albums through out their careers. Göran Edman (vocals) was a guest musician on the Benny Jansson (guitars) third solo album, 'Save The World', that together with Benny was co-produced by drummer Daniel Flores. The three of them took a long chat after Göran was finished with his parts, and were surprised of how much they had in common musically. Suddenly the idea was cracked by Daniel: "Since we have so much in common, why don't we make this a band? I mean a real band?" And so they joined forces. The aim was to create music they loved and just have a lot of fun while doing it. But there were still some members missing, which they looked hard for. Matt Norberg, a session keyboard player and Daniel's best friend since childhood, was simply a natural choice. After trying out a bass player that didn't work out Daniel called his old mate from Music School, Mathias Garnås whom had also proved himself being worthy on Benny's solo-album. Now they were a band! Right away they entered the studio and after having worked really hard for several months they came up with 13 full songs, and XsavioR could release their debut album, entitled 'Caleidoscope', in May 2005.
CALEIDOSCOPE (2005) ATENZIA
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Line-up: Göran Edman - vocals Daniel Flores - drums & vocals Mathias Garnås - bass Benny Jansson - guitars & vocals Matt Norberg - keyboards Additional musician: Helen Olofsson - female vocals on 6 |
XsavioR is something of a progressive hard rock supergroup. Members include names known from Yngwie Malmsteen, Brazen Abbot, Glory, John Norum, Mind's Eye, Sha-Boom and The Johansson Brothers, to name a few. Singer Göran Edman is maybe the most known name here. These guys have spent 2 years in making their debut album. And the press-release claims that progressive rock will never be the same! Big words indeed, but I say that it is well deserved. XsavioR deliver some great 70's inspired pomp-and-circumstance rock (or progressive rock, if you like) with a modern expression. The album is sported by a crystal clear production, where every detail in the music is vivid. The songs vary from the high-flown opener, "April Skies", via the psychotic "Lex The Fly" to the solid "Mr. Chairman" (probably my favorite). The CD's magnum opus is the 3 tracks sub named "Taj Mahal Part I, II, III). Here the group shows us that they are here to stay. Incredibly strong stuff! Göran Edman sings like only he can, and I can only imagine then fun it must have been to put melody lines to such grand music. So here we get to just sit down and lean back, close your eyes, and enjoy. Forget the world outside for an hour or so, and just let the music take you on a journey. Imagine a big melting pot of just about everything and anything moving within the prog-rock genre for the last 40 years or so. Everything from David Bowie, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Queen, Saga, Styx, The Flower Kings, A.C.T., etc., it's all here. So what could be more natural then to name the debut album 'Caleidoscope'? I really recommend this album.
Killer tracks: April Skies, Mr. Chairman, Take Me Home, By The Golden River (Taj Mahal, Part II), Waves Of The Sea (Taj Mahal, Part III), Cosmic Virus, Xsavior
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