1999 HEPTAGON RECORDS.
RUNNING TIME : 49.00

Well this album is quite possibly one of the most obscure gems you are ever likely to stumble across.  How can an album featuring Jens and Anders Johansson [ex Yngwie Malmsteen], Goran Edman [ex Malmsteen] and Michael Romeo [Symphony X] be anything less that awesome? Well actually the first few spins of the album showed to me that it was a little average, but repeated spins later and I am blown away.  Yes this is not an immediate album, rather a collection of tracks that take a while to get under your skin and once there will be cherished for eternity!  Leaving behind the more classic rock direction of the first Johansson album, 'The Last Viking' gives away its style just from the title. This is basically pure neo-classical metal and if this was a Malmsteen album it would be considered the best of his career bar none!  So instead of Yngwie we have Mike Romeo who's playing is as faultless as ever and although in a more simpler setting than Symphony X's progressive extravaganza's, its shows what stunning hands this dude has.  However the spotlight is really reserved for Jens Johansson who is blinding throughout.  Goran Edman sounds the best he ever has to these ears and those Scandinavian tones are enough to send chills of delight down your spine. 

2. BURNING EYES (4.45)
'Burning Eyes' sees the tempo pick up with a double bass drum assault from Anders while Romeo throws in quick guitar licks.  The track is heavily neo-classical but Edman makes the whole thing highly accessible with that thick commercial sounding Scandinavian voice.  The track is very intense and this is matched perfectly by Romeo's solo which is very Yngwie-ish, before Jens throws down his contribution which outshines Romeo before a great interlude that sees all manner of keyboard showers rain down.  The track resolves back to the chorus which is simply - "I found the answer in your burning heart", the lyrics this time relate to the Viking clearly seeing how is life has taken that direction and why.  Another superb track.

3. VALHALL SCUFFLE (5.27)
A instrumental piece that sounds like a cross between early Yngwie and Symphony X, erratic time signatures are made digestible by very strong melodies.  The guitar keeps the track pumped while Jens throws down the atmospherics and Anders just keeps the whole thing charging on.  There are several reoccurring themes that all blend well to create an interesting and captivating instrumental piece.

4. FADING AWAY (4.45)
Delicate acoustic work opens this dark and mysterious brooding track.  The feel is quite haunting again and brings images of a cold snowy windswept valley.  "You took away my sense of destiny, we laughed away so many days, too many miles apart to keep it real, we had to go our seperate ways".  The lyrics center around 'The Last Viking' getting news that his wife back home has either died or left him.  The solo on the track is one of the best on the album, very melodic and quite simplistic in approach, but its so smooth with Romeo and Jens doubling each other parts to perfection that it really suits the cold vibe of the track, a highlight.

5. FOREST SONG (4.50)
A very classical sounding harpsichord  motif opens the track before the rest of the band comes crashing in; allowing Jens to throw over another melody that sounds like the cousin on the parping keys of Europe's 'The Final Countdown'.  This is mirrored by pounding guitar work from Romeo that is closest yet to Sym X style riffery.  The lyrics tell us a bit more about the background of the main character and how he is so alone in the world  - "I come from the northern woods, I dwell in the snow I found all my answers long ago.  The winter the enemy and the summer is cold, to gods in the sky are growing old...".  The solo section is again breathtaking with heavy neo-classical passages coming thick and fast from the trade offs between Johansson and Romeo. A catchy tune.

6. IN THE MIRROR [4.37]
An almost ballad-esque feel gives ample room for Edman's vocals to ring out and this track has a distinctly Malmsteen meets Dream Theater feel especially in the yearning chorus - "In the mirror, seeing clearer, I see my soul....", which sees some great overdubbed vocal harmonies.  Its a very interesting chorus that just blossoms on every listen and is a frontrunner.  

7. CLOSE TO YOU [3.41]
'Close To You' is a slice of pure commercial Scandinavian Metal and that rightly implies the quality.  The star of the track undoubtedly is Edman whose voice caps off a winning chorus.  The solo sees the tempo step up for Romeo's most frenzied solo on the album, this in turn is  matched by Jens and some of the old 'Rising Force' magic come boiling to the top.  The track rides out with a repetition of the chorus and the track is another winner.

8. CARRY ME [4.23]
Again starting with a very classical sounding keyboard part which recalls the melody on Malmsteen's 'Devil In Disguise'.  This is further built on by Edman before heading to more original pastures with another majestic chorus - "Carry me through eternity, we're holding the key, we'll always be free".  Edman's voice is perfect for these introspective heartfelt emotional vocal soars!  The solo is another piece of understated perfection with some quite beautiful phrases from Jens.  Romeo's role on the track is more in the supporting vein and whilst very simplistic gives the track its warm yet haunting feel.  Another highlight.

9. WINTER BATTLE [5.35]
The second instrumental on the album, this time the tempo is much slower with a pounding groove being established that bridges the gap between neo-classical and progressive. Not as good as 'Valhall Scuffle' but still strong enough, the interplay between Johansson and Romeo is pure 'Rising Force' at times but ultimately its the least essential track here.

10. ALONE [5.08]
A track that does a great job of closing the album.  Somehow it manages to encompass all the moods and styles displayed throughout, the almost progressive feel of the verse [think DT] is capped by the Malmsteen vibe of the pre-chorus before the Edman magic hits the jackpot again for the chorus which although simply "I want to be alone" repeated still manages to get the feeling of solitude across nicely.  Even  a new sound is injected for the bridge which is almost Kings X with its harmonies after a brief wah drenched solo from Romeo.  The haunting moving bassline intertwined with the keyboard swathes create a good depth for Jens to throw another slippery solo in, the feel here is chartering on 'UK' territory which is a good thing indeed.  'Alone' simply is another divine track on a stunning album.

'The Last Viking' is something very special indeed.  The Nordic feel mixed with the musical talents on offer combine to create a powerhouse of an album.  Every musician involved shines and each track wins without doubt.  Its quite rare to find an album of this caliber and magic but that's exactly what 'The Last Viking' is and really you should find it a home in your collection.  The Johansson brothers have made the strongest album of their careers here and with the tally of great bands they have been in that alone tells you the caliber of the material.  Michael Romeo whilst not as rampant or dazzling as on Symphony X cd's lays down exactly what the tracks need and this should be considered an essential part of his catalogue, whilst Goran Edman gives his best vocal performance ever to these ears, [and that's coming from someone who worships 'Fire & Ice'!]  Quite simply you must buy this album, throw it in your cd player and give it a few weeks allowing the icy Swedish vibes to get into your system.  You will NOT be disappointed.

RATING
Production - 9.0, Songs - 9.5, Lyrics - 8.8, Performance - 9.5
Overall: 9.2
Review By Andy Craven.
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