Windom End’s – “Perspective Views“
Windom End has released their debut album this April of 2020. Perspective Views, is a truly dynamic debut that will definitely make Windom End a recognized band in the progressive rock world immediately. This band from Falun/Stockholm, Sweden, is made up of: Tomas Nyström, on lead and rhythm guitar, and keyboards; Pierre Stam, on bass guitar, vocals, bass pedals, and keyboards; Tobias Lundgren, on drums; and Mikael Arvidsson, on lead vocals, and guitar.
The band tells the tale of their formation this way: “During a heated debate among a group of friends, Pierre Stam and Tomas Nyström bonded over the great question; Who is ACTUALLY the greatest guitar player of all time. Steve Rothery, they both proclaimed in unison. Strangers up until that moment, their eyes instantly locked. After staring at each other in disbelief for a second their lips once again parted as they shouted: ”BEST FRIENDS!”. The very next day, the duo started writing music together”.
And what great music they have created:
“The Dream”, opens with wonderful orchestration and keyboards before Mikael Arvidsson sings, “As you were still a stranger. Then I used to pick you up. In the middle of the darkest night. And take you to places you never been. Together we’ve been traveling through the world. We crossed all the borders. Sailed the seven seas, almost everything we’ve seen”. His vocals sounds similar to Roine Stolt of the Flower Kings. The rest of the musicianship is excellent, including, electric guitar, bass and drums, but it is the keys that stand out early on this album and track. Those keys separate this band from the others in the genre. A great journey of a song longing for a brighter future.
“Starless Sky”, opens with powerful drums and bass. Then Arvidsson sings, “An ocean inside her filled with fears. Projects without knowledge out in tears. No one else could know how she feels. No one ever know who’s life they steal”. A powerful conceptual song, fully purposed and direct. A discussion of how tough some people’s daily life really is, because of the impediments, either verbal, visual or physical that are placed in front by others.
“Walk this Way”, is definitely not anything like the famous Aerosmith song of the same name. It opens with Arvidsson singing, “Their grandiose house on the hill stands empty. When they’re all at the cabin by the lake. Oblivious to the amount of silver spoons, that are plenty, sharing of his 18th birthday cake. Making truth of all believes to be complete. Like a blind man throwing stones at the confines of the deceit. He has it all, but his soul feels hollow. By the order in life and fully known destiny. Always told not to dream, just to follow. And only to cook by this family’s recipe”. The strict life being laid out in this song is quiet dark. As the song proceeds the band asks us to walk away from this lonely, sad, existence.
“Within the Shadow”, is full of excellent mixed guitar. The album’s best song. Arvidsson sings, “The field is peaceably calm. Resting quiet in its creator’s balm. The silvery surface of the lake. Hiding treasures and reflecting no mistakes. But secrets trapped in the breeze, are torn apart by the leaves in the trees. The wind is carrying them away. Makes it clearer day by day”.
“Revolution”, opens with excellent keyboards, bass, and powerful drums mixed well with cool guitar solos. Arvidsson sings, “That all of this would end in revolution. A distinct turn and a settlement of souls. Was never really seen by the big shots making more. Too busy planning how to get the perfect score. And without a thought that we would drown in the pollution. They keep on running and hitting all their goals. But really to see for who they truly are. They have to look outside their goldmine bazaar”. Excellent lyrics and powerful music to back it up. Arvidsson continues, “It is time for a change, throw your seed. Let’s make up for our faults and take the lead”.
“Ghost of the Past”, Arvidsson sings, “This very old and wrinkled man in that faded photograph is catching my eye. The story tells that he was born with silver spoons that fed him up with lies. He made his shoes by his own in those he walked away, left his parents in despair”.
Perspective Views, and Windom End have been another great find this year. Enjoy this deeply melodic progressive rock from Scandinavia. The band uses original music and well posed lyrics to convey a story which we can all learn from and progress towards our own objectives in life. We all have ghosts from our pasts. But like Windom End, we can all walk into the dreams of our future with confidence, if we leave those ghosts of the past behind and make changes.
Give this band a chance with their debut.. I look forward to their follow up.
Track List
- The Dream – 10:58
- Starless Sky – 8:07
- Walk this Way – 7:33
- Within the Shadow – 2:49
- Revolution – 9:25
- Ghost of the Past – 10:23
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