The Flower Kings – By Royal Decree (Inside Out Music, 2022)
Aside from great musicianship and songwriting, another key aspect of The Flower Kings is that they are prolific and generous with their new releases. The Swedish progressive rock band’s new album is yet another double set titled “By Royal Decree”.
As usual, By Royal Decree is a real treat for progressive rock fans. The press release mentions that “the album is refreshingly void of any metal riffing” and indeed, the lack of tiresome metal ruffing is truly refreshing. Instead, the band treats the listener to a set of meticulously constructed songs with engaging vocals and fantastic instrumental work from bandleader Roine Stolt and his colleagues.
Most of the songs fall within the category of symphonic progressive rock. Although you will not find any lengthy epics, Roine Stolt has the ability of creating short epics, with a captivating set of lead and backing vocalists; stellar guitar solos; skillful and majestic keyboard work that includes Hammond organ, synths and the always-popular Mellotron; and the fantastic rhythm section.
With so much music on two discs, it is hard to choose favorites. Nevertheless, the highlights include the songs Blinded, World Gone Crazy, The Darkness in You (superb wailing bluesy guitar), Time The Great Healer, Revolution, Letter (here, the band introduces world music in the form of tango-style accordion), Evolution, Moth (this song features a gorgeous choir) and Funeral Pyres.
The lineup of The Flower Kings has changed once more. Founding member Michael Stolt (Roine’s brother) has returned to the band on guitar and vocals. Roine comments: “It is great to reconnect with my brother as a bass player – yes we’re brothers in a familial sense – but we’re also ’brothers’ in our teenage years’ journey of exploring bands like Yes, Genesis, Zappa, King Crimson, Weather Report, etc., so the reference points are evident. We both know each other’s musical path so well, which means we also know where we’re going.”
After so many pandemic restrictions, the band members met in person in the middle of 2021 at Fenix Studios in Sweden to record through the fully analog Rupert Neve mixing desk.
The artwork for “By Royal Decree” is a ‘real’ painting by Denver artist Kevin Sloan.
Line-Up: Roine Stolt: Vocals, electric, acoustic, and 12 string guitars, ukulele, Portuguese 12 string guitar, nylon guitar, additional keyboards & orchestration; Hasse Fröberg on vocals and 12-string acoustic guitar; Zach Kamins on organ, pianos, synths & orchestrations; Michael Stolt on bass, Moog Taurus & backing vocals; Jonas Reingold on fretted & fretless bass; Mirko DeMaio on drums, percussion and additional orchestration; and Hasse Bruniusson on acoustic & electric percussion.
Guests: Jonas Lindberg on bass; Rob Townsend on saxophones; Aliaksandr Yasinski on accordion; and Jannica Lund on backing vocals.