Åskväder
s/t

A thunderstorm is scheduled for march this year, their name Åskväder is Swedish for thunderstorm, or thunder-weather if you want to translate it literally. Behind that moniker hides a Swedish trio who are releasing their debut album on which the stage looks somewhat perilous, but I guess that venturing into the music business is a pretty perilous proposition. It is a band with a drummer who is the lead singer, something that is a bit unusual and may be a bit detrimental to the live show as the singer is stuck behind the drumkit. But their live act is not what I am checking, it is the debut album and I think that one is pretty good.

It isn’t a thunderous album in regard to heaviness or that sort of thing, neither does it offer anything that we haven’t heard before – novelty isn’t the thing that comes to mind. Pretty traditional heavy rocking stuff with bluesy licks and vocal harmonies, clearly inspired by the likes of Hellacopters and Turbonegro, they put on a simple yet effective rock album. They keep playing time sensible and the variation is okay over the tracks, so it will not feel repetitive after a first playthrough. It may however, seem a bit repetitive after playing it a few times due to the lack of fresh new ideas.

This album might be without thunderous new ideas or novel impression, but that doesn’t prevent it from being a rather entertaining album. I think all the songs are good, the opener Thunderstorm might be the highlight but none of the tracks really stand out. I think Åskväder doesn’t have any real weak point and that is a strong positive mark for it, especially considering that it is the debut album of the trio. I would have liked something with more hit potential though, a standout track so to speak but for the genre fans there might be enough such potential in the tracks that are there. And I doubt that anyone getting the album will look upon it as a disappointing one.

It may not be the most memorable album ever, but I think it could be worth a look, especially if you like the similar bands.

HHHHHHH