Review | Art Nation – The Ascendance

Frontiers Music S.r.l.

Art Nation’s new album, `The Ascendance’, proves a benchmark melodic rock record chockfull of highly infective melodies, hooks and themes, showcasing the band’s constant evolution while staying true to their signature sound. These 11 new tracks display the Swedish band’s ability to blend powerful arrangements with unforgettable melodies and delivering a solid potion of rock that crosses the metal boundaries frequently. Solidifying their position as one of the genre’s flag bearing acts, Art Nation brings a variety that will appeal AOR and Melodic rock fans alike with `The Ascendance’ as an eye opener to the masses!

DYNAMIC INTERPLAY

From the opening notes of ,,Set Me Free” with its pumping synths and scattering keys atop the raging riff, it’s clear that Art Nation has refined their craft. The song bursts with energy and the urging drums add to the unrest captured in the song’s genes. Bursting with urgency, driven by Alexander Strandell’s emotive vocals and Christoffer Borg’s razor-sharp guitar work, the song immediately makes clear what to expect. This dynamic interplay continues throughout the album, with songs like the following ,,Thunderball” and ,,Halo” delivering anthemic choruses that are as exhilarating as they are memorable.

The band’s knack for balancing heaviness with melodic accessibility is on full display here, creating a soundscape that feels both expansive and intimate. Hints of Creye and Degreed’s modernity are mixed into the classical Scandi format, build on solid grooves and powerful melodies. The choruses nest immediately, and Strandell brings the right force forward to make it all work. Absolutely wonderful are Borg’s impressive solos, while his edgy playing has increased, making it all go slightly more metallic.

Funny enough, both songs feel like melodic metal pull offs from the chartbusting hits, with a mark of its typical themes nesting in Art Nation’s songs. No copies, no covers, but they keenly wove it into the fabric of the chorus’s construction and its (almost mystic) vibration.

WIDING HORIZONS

Widening horizons, Art Nation bring forward the epic tinged ,,Runaways” and powerful ,,Lightbringer”, falling in between their benchmark sound while being etched on Ten’s typical cinematics in its opening and choirs. This recipe also wells from the opening key stabs and lyrical content of ,,The Last of Us”, scattering with stride, while its orchestration balances between niche generics clinical synths and contemporary in its open riff discharge and daunting drum dynamics. The choirs are powerful and epic, with swagger packed in Alexander’s roaring vocals. The theme and reverberating riff are downright nesting.

Art Nation renders these melodic rock accolades and melodic metal crafts with a unique approach, as also depicted in the rip-roaring double bass driven ,,Rise”, strongly rooted in classic melodic rock but packing an epic note in the center with a swirling key solo dueling with Christoffer’s neck breaking fretboard magic. Keen and subtle addition to the rousing pace and sound.

EMOTIONAL DEPTH

One of the standout moments is ,,Julia”, a deeply personal ballad dedicated by Strandell to his partner, addressing how he is unable to express how much she means in backing his efforts. The soaring chorus and heartfelt lyrics encapsulate the emotional depth that Art Nation brings to their music, with the solo weeping notes atop the progressive dynamics from drum and bass. Not the typical (power) ballad, as it packs so much more power and musical texture.

Similarly, tracks like the wonderful (classic) ,,A New Beginning” with its emotive vocals and intense hook, and the swirling ,,Unstoppable” with its intense key-riff alignment atop the ponderous propelled groove, showcase their ability to craft songs that are both intricate and immediate, blending technical precision with raw passion. There’s a lot going on and it becomes crystal clear Borg is using Art Nation as melodic rock’s breeding ground for new momentum.

The album’s momentum and pacing are its key strength, effortlessly shifting from powerful high-energy rockers to more contemplative moments such as ,,Fallout”, ensuring there’s never a dull moment.

ART NATION – THE CONCLUSION

The great production of `The Ascendance’ deserves an honorable mention also. Every element, from Richard Svärd’s pulsating basslines droning in the low, to the crisp drum work, has been ultimately layered to create a rich, immersive listening experience. It is robust without lacking the melodics to be highlighted, and it constantly combusts with intense energy, captured perfectly.

What truly sets `The Ascendance’ apart is its melodic marksmanship and intensity. Borg and Art Nation excel at writing enormous hooks that lock themselves in your memory long after the music stops. Whether it’s the intricate and dazzling guitar solos or the lush vocal harmonies, every track is a carefully crafted piece of art designed to resonate with listeners on multiple levels.

In many ways, this album represents the gradual growth of Art Nation’s musical journey. It’s an impressive delivery from a band unafraid to push boundaries while honoring their roots in melodic hard rock and experimenting cross border with sniper targeted precision. Exactly at this cross section they reside to uphold the melodic fortress for future generation. `The Ascendance’ isn’t just an album with tons of musical highlights and nesting hooks, it’s an experience that demands repeat listens. Art Nation didn’t just ascend, but they planted their flag at the summit of modern melodic rock.

AMAZING!

Release date: 25 April 2025