Renowned progressive rock band The Flower Kings has announced the release of a new double album titled “Islands” on InsideOutMusic.
Due to the COVID-19-pandemic, the album will be released sooner than originally planned as Roine Stolt explains: “All shows and festivals were cancelled and the future didn’t really ‘unfold’ itself like we had hoped. To sit out the pandemic with no activities was not an option for us! We can’t be stopped by an evil virus! So, with members living in the USA, Italy, Austria and Sweden, the only way to realize this album, was to use the magic of the ‘net’, sending files around the globe and start building what now has become a mammoth-sized double album of 21 songs.”
The 92 minutes long “Islands” includes artwork by iconic designer Roger Dean (Yes, Gentle Giant, Greenslade, Uriah Heep) and all characteristic sounds and melodies the band is renowned for: vintage keyboards to epic guitar solos, idiosyncratic drum patterns and symphonic elements.
Stolt uncovers the following about the concept of the record: “The theme of the album is isolation – so the title ‘Islands’ felt like a most relevant title – as much of it circulates around isolation, loss, and the fear of being disconnected. Having to face this unexpected pandemic will leave marks on each one of us for a very long time and to lose loved ones forces us to soldier on, learning and growing a stronger version of ourselves in this fragile cycle of life.
Musically; the aim has been to create a bigger grand epic piece out of 21 songs – so they are all connected with themes that weave in and out – like the way ‘Sgt. Peppers’ or ‘The Lamb’ were built on shorter songs, but yet linked. So view it as one mega song or as twenty one separate pieces, it is all tailored to be listened to as one piece – like a cinematic ninety-minute long ride.”
The line-up includes Roine Stolt on vocals, ukulele, guitars, additional keyboards; Hasse Fröberg on vocals and acoustic guitar; Jonas Reingold on bass, acoustic guitar; Zach Kamins on pianos, organ, synthesizers, mellotron, orchestrations; Mirko DeMaio on drums, percussion. Guest: Rob Townsend on soprano saxophone.