The Flower Kings – Waiting for Miracles (InsideOutMusic, 2019)
Swedish progressive rock powerhouse The Flower Kings has returned to its roots on Waiting for Miracles. This double album is masterful work showcasing The Flower King’s appealing progressive symphonic rock sound.
Band leader and guitar maestro Roine Stolt has a successful formula that combines catchy classic rock-style vocals with state of the art instrumental progressive rock work, featuring finely-crafted symphonic arrangements and a truckload of epic progressions, except for the last song, which is basically pop.
Throughout the album, Roine Stolt delivers outstanding guitar solos, extracting a wide range of exciting guitar techniques. A true delight for electric guitar fans.
The lineup on this album is different from earlier incarnations of the band. Bass virtuoso Jonas Reingold is still there, delivering his signature creative bass lines. Veteran singer Hasse Fröberg is also back, with his familiar vocals.
New members are American keyboard maestro Zach Kamins (founder of Los Angeles progressive rock band An Endless Sporadic), who brings in an arsenal of vintage and modern keyboards; and formidable Italian drummer Mirkko DeMaio (Vivaldi Metal Project.)