Review | Reach – Prophecy

Icons Creating Evil Art

Tracing back to their formation in 2012, Swedish band Reach has nurtured their stubborn sound over the decades. Blending modern rock with gloomy moods and dramatic orchestral arrangements with jazz intricacy, pompous rock and powerful melodic vibes, Reach managed to unite fans and flavors. Their music is popping with bliss and `Prophecy’ displays everything this band embodies creatively.

NO BOUNDARIES OR RESTRAINTS

As varied as their influences, `Prophecy’ sees Reach embark onto experimental terrain constantly, without boundaries or restraints. The album blends a ton of influences and is experimental on all accounts. High on its organic output, they tend to lean towards Led Zeppelin and Cream, shaking off the reminiscence by stubbornly following their own path. The opening title track is set in motion with stagnant breaks and pumping heavy keys to dramatize the entrance. 

Ludvig Turner’s guitars and vocals are powerful and dramatic, matching the musical prowess. Soufian Ma’Aoui guards the low end with throbbing bass licks executed, intensifying when the boldness calls for heavier grit. Funky in delivery, the bass ploughs heavily, while Marcus Johansson’s drums bring progressive breaks to the heavy groove, making the songs gradually building momentum. Moaning and wailing, the vocals pitch into the dramatized breakdown, unloading Led Zeppelin arrangements with Queen dramatic pomp luster. 

HEARTFELT MELODIC SINCERITY

This is the perfect pitch into subtler parading grounds. Hitting the feelgood vibed ,,Little Dreams”, held together by impressive melodies and fruiting with wonderful chorus and vibrance. Maintaining the parading strut, ,,A Beautiful Life” intensifies the beat and brings a different power to the plate. Drums stacking, the music starts to build tension towards the organic melodic chorus, impacting insanely. 

Funny enough, the parading tension is endured on the hooked entering ,,Safe the World”, which morphs with jazzy elements building into Grande drama for its chorus. The lows of the upright bass and the song’s jazzy nightclub sway is dominant, enhancing their wonderful sonic output. Midway unloading in heavy drama with dense orchestration, the song starts to combust, reverting format it keeps tapping a different vein with heartfelt melodic sincerity. Absolutely astounding! 

ELEMENTS OF POP AND ROCK

The way Reach commences the musical flow in the album is awe-inspiring. Just check how they manage to fuse together the opening quartet of tracks. With ,,A Million Miles” toning down on all accounts, the flow is broken, yet feels very generic. The song is slow moving and meanders with vigorous melodic accolades, pitching higher in its dramatized middle section. It is Ludvig who makes the melodic output dazzle with elements of pop and rock, even delving into rapping to bring forward a different poise.

Swirling notes atop the dramatic progression of the song, ,,Not the Same” hints on variety predominantly. Slicker in its vocal execution, the song swings with axe-induced power, while its bass strut is 70s tinged. The melodies radiate and the saturated bass and drum interaction is alternating in a various section of the song, oozing hypnotic vibrance and psychedelic repetitiveness. 

A PSYCHEDELIC TOUCH

Kaleidoscopic gripping this psychedelic touch, ,,Who Knows” features a mellotron opening with intense jagged vocal section suddenly breaking into the chorus. Weaving wavery guitar patterns atop, the songs have meandering themes aligned with a pulsating beat. Its chorus full of close dense harmonies, the Beatles-comparison is present, yet it also brings forward Electric Boys markings. 

Swinging the axe, the parading vocal and bass interaction resurrects ,,Mama Mama”, flying into the memorable slick chorus. Guitars swinging like Thownsend’s arms propelling old Who imagery, the song sees its interplay of classic rock and psychedelic 60s vibes. Pumping drum kicks and drum rolls make the song unload sincere power towards its finale, without lacking the melodic spirited outcome.

FUNK ROCK ACCOLADES

Switching to freehand funky guitar and bass, ,,Psycho Violence” kicks into gear with funk rock accolades suddenly breathing fire melodically, displaying Reach’s insane songwriting abilities in fusion of styles. Heavy’d up on its melodics, the song shoots back and forth emotionally, with raining keys bringing the song into an enigmatic turmoil. Bass taking over the guitar lick, the guitar unloads a heavy as hell solo.

It is the exact power needed to shoot ,,Grand Finale” into action with rattling marching drums. Keys start to rain down on the drum beat when the song shoots into gear with a whirl of guitars over its heavy groove. Uriah Heep’s trademark build of vocal melody constructed onto a swirling keyboard melody is present. Anger-laden the guitar turns metal in the progressive time changes. Ludvig’s vocals are reminiscent to Darkness’ Justin Hawkins dramatic vocal versatility, the music alternates its melodic tone and prowess accordingly, discharging an intrinsic drive and power.

REACH – THE CONCLUSION

Closing the album, ,,Grand Finale” would have done the job, but Reach added a treat to the end; ,,Eviga Natt”. The song is a mellow tune with wonderful guitar solo and great bass lines executed. Vocally it is rich and colorful, matching the acoustic refrains. Translated ‘Eternal Night’, the song melancholic deep laurels are easily explained, adding to the experience of listening.

`Prophecy’ should have been review with only a few words: Enjoy it! It is an album blending styles, leaning heavily on the 70s with its organics and theatrical execution. It is a concoction of wonder, with memorable moments stacked by the dozens. 

WONDERFUL and…. ESSENTIAL!

Release date: 19 April 2024