By Jim Rowland
Swedish multi-instrumentalist Per Wiberg has graced albums and stages with bands such as Opeth, Spiritual Beggars and Candlemass over the years, and in 2019 released his first solo album ‘Head Without Eyes’ to much acclaim. Now he’s back with a brand new EP ‘All Is Well In The Land Of The Living But For The Rest Of Us… Lights Out’, rather aptly titled for these turbulent times.
You could either view this 24-minute EP as a collection of four tracks, with each title spanning the EP’s full title, or one continuous piece of music, which is more the case. ‘All Is Well’ is a dark, brooding and atmospheric piece almost at odds with the melodic vocal style, before ‘In the Land Of the Living’ ups the tempo and energy with intense and twisted music once again at odds with some very catchy and melodic vocals. ‘But For the Rest Of Us’ follows as a very dark, almost disturbing instrumental piece, led by haunting piano which serves as an intro to the final piece, ‘Lights Out’, arguably the highlight of the EP– an epic sounding slice of twisted prog that builds in intensity and culminates with a great Floyd-esque guitar flourish.
‘All Is Well In The Land Of The Living But For The Rest Of Us… Lights Out’ is a hugely impressive piece of work that sits firmly in the darker, more sinister realms of the prog bracket, evoking the spirit of King Crimson and earlier Pink Floyd, through to the intense alt-rock of the likes of Sonic Youth or Swans, and the more contemporary dark yet melodic progressive rock of Steven Wilson.
Ideally listened to in one session from start to finish, this EP is 24 minutes very well spent, and with each listen, will get deeper and deeper under your skin.
- ‘All Is Well In The Land Of The Living But For The Rest Of Us… Lights Out’ is released on Friday (14 May). You can get your copy HERE.
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