Black Bonzo-Lady of the Light (2004)

Throughout much of the 1990s and 2000s, a wide variety of bands emerged, offering an exciting new sound based on the rock of the 1960s and 70s, encompassing its many stylistic variations, including progressive rock, hard rock, and folk rock. These so-called retro rock bands revived these styles and introduced them to millions of new fans drawn to the sounds of rock's golden age. One such band was the Swedish group Black Bonzo, who focused on the progressive hard rock of iconic bands like Deep Purple, Atomic Rooster, Uriah Heep, Black Widow, Quatermass, Titanic, and Lucifer's Friend, among many others that dominated the scene in the 1970s. The musical style of these Swedes could be more specifically described as a fusion of early Uriah Heep and Deep Purple from their golden era, specifically the Mark II lineup. Founded in 2003, they released their first album a year later, subsequently releasing several more projects focused on a consistent musical style. The band consists of Joakim Karlsson (guitars and vocals), Nicklas Ahlund (organ, vocals, and Mellotron), Patrick Leandersson (bass and vocals), and Mike Israel (drums). On their debut album, this formidable band presents majestic soundscapes of powerful heavy rock interwoven with 70s prog rock, where fiery guitars, the potent sounds of the Hammond organ and Mellotron, rich vocal harmonies, and dynamic instrumentation permeate every groove of this first album. Heavy tracks like "Freedom", "Jailbait", and "Lady of the Light" coexist with others of a distinctly progressive heavy nature, such as "Brave Young Soldier" and "Where the River Meets the Sea".