In triumph!
In triumph.Yes, it's a bold statement, but one that Swedish four-piece The Quill is not afraid of making.
Based out of the coastal town of Mönsterås those guys have payed their dues and then some. The core members - vocalist Magnus Ekwall, guitarist Christian Carlsson and drummer Jolle Atlagic -have been playing together since the early nineties. The band eventually became The Quill and in 1995 released its self-titled debut, to much critical acclaim.
Since then, The Quill have finetuned their distinctive style as close to perfection as is possible. First by removing the keyboards and getting seriously heavy, then by developing the dynamics and adding pieces to the puzzle.
Put simply, this band take the big-riffing style of seventies giants such as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath and brings it up to date. Not dissimilar to the way Soundgarden did it, but with a unique angle. Metal influences as well as earthy blues in one glorious package.
For the fifth album - the third for SPV/Steamhammer - The Quill decided to record in Area 51 Studios in Celle, Germany, using the skills of acclaimed producer Tommy Newton (UFO, Helloween, Victory etc.).Soundwise, the intention was to go for clarity and a less is more approach.With the music, The Quill wanted to write straight-forward songs. That sometimes meant using ideas that previously might have been thrown away, deemed too "obvious".The result is a revelation.
"In triumph" charges out of the speakers and rocks with new-found conviction. After a psychedelic build-up, opener "Keep The Circle Whole" challenges Audioslave for groove power and a song like "Trespass" just might be the most ass-kicking tune The Quill have recorded so far. Not sacrificing its grandeur, the band excel in "Black", an Eastern flavoured epic that brings both Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple to mind. It's one of the highlights of an album that's sure to expand the "classic The Quill songs" catalogue.
Apart from writing memorable tunes, those Swedes also are true musicians. Unlike some bands - where the "classic rock" feel consists of sloppily playing Sabbath-styled riffs - The Quill know their trade. The vocals soar, the guitar rips with both flair and power and the rhythm section is rock-solid. "In triumph" sees the arrival of new bass player Robert Triches, who perfectly fills the shoes of departed Roger Nilsson. With "In triumph" under their belt, The Quill are set to once again take their music to the people. Over the years, they have built up a reputation as an exciting live act. The band has played leading festivals in Europe and opened for Monster Magnet when Dave Wyndorf & Co took "Monolithic baby" to the European public.
The story continues.Albums
"The Quill" (Megarock, 1995)
"Silver Haze" (Roxon, 1999)
"Voodoo Caravan" (SPV, 2001)
"Hooray! It's A Deathtrip" (SPV, 2003)
"In Triumph" (SPV, 2006)
to buy the records in sweden go to either:
http://www.ginza.se or http://www.cdon.com
in america:
http://www.amazon.com
