BLACK BONZO - LADY OF THE LIGHT - 2005

Staring at the cover of Black Bonzo's debut Lady of the Light, then letting the proggy, hard rocking music take you over, you'd be hard pressed to believe that this album was recorded in 2004, and not 1972. Yes, this is vintage sounding, totally retro stuff here, deliciously so I might add, and sure to make fans of early 70's prog bands drool with ecstasy. Black Bonzo are from Sweden, and the band members on this recording are Patrick Leandersson on bass, Mike Israel on drums, Magnus Lindgren on vocals, Joachim Karlsson on guitars, and Nicklas Ahlund on keyboards (organ, piano, Mellotron, synthesizers).

Instant comparisons to early 70's Uriah Heep are the first thing that pop up, especially due to the heavy Hammond organ and guitar feel, but Lindgren's vocals also recall a mix of David Byron and John Lawton, the first two Heep vocalists. Other references that come to mind are Starcastle (especially in some of the vocal melodies), Deep Purple, Yes, ELP, England, and Gentle Giant. While we have had some great retro prog bands over the years (Anglagard, Anekdoten, Big Elf, and Wobbler instantly come to mind) none sound as firmly entrenched in the 70's, from both a composition and production standpoint, as Black Bonzo does. Opening cuts "Lady of the Light" and "Brave Young Soldier" feature soaring vocal harmonies, raging Hammond, ominous Mellotron, and blistering guitar work, each piece a mini epic on its own. The more hard rock "These Are the Days of Sorrow" sees Karlsson throwing in plenty of searing guitar licks into the mix, and the bouyant "New Day" could have been a leftover from Heep's Magician's Birthday or Demons & Wizards albums, complete with some thundering bass from Leandersson and a 'heaping' amount of beefy Hammond from Ahlund.

After a brief 'intermission' (which is basically Karlsson laying down some mellow, effects laden guitar parts for a minute or so at the end of "New Day") the band lurches back into the second half of the CD with "Fantasy World", a pounding mix of Uriah Heep heaviness and Beatles pop flavor, the latter right down to the charming use of Mellotron flutes ala "Strawberry Fields". Hints of the Beatles, as well as The Moody Blues and Barclay James Harvest, pop up on the engaging piano driven ballad "Freedom", and the Mellotron soaked "Sirens" is just a dramatic slice of prog rock heaven that brings to mind early King Crimson, the Moody Blues, and Cathedral, but with Uriah Heep styled vocal harmonies. "Jail Bait" is a heavy rocker with bombastic guitar and organ riffs, a sort of first cousin to the Heep classic "Easy Livin' ", and the guitar & Mellotron driven "Leave Your Burdens" is a moody, reflective rocker that contains a nice solo from Karlsson plus a great, emotional vocal from Lindgren. The CD closes with another mini epic, the near 8-minute "Where the River Meets the Sea". With haunting backing vocals, huge Mellotron sounds, synths, and lilting guitar chords, this one's a brooding number that at times recalls very early Gentle Giant, but certainly Uriah Heep as well.

Go ahead, say it...doesn't sound like much originality going on here, right? Well, that is perhaps true, but who cares. This is expertly crafted 70's styled music here, that sounds so much like it was written and recorded in that time period it's scary. Plus, if you love any of the bands I've referenced above, it will be hard not to be gravitated towards this album and fall deeply in love with it. Then, you'll be sure to run right out and get their brand new release, Sound of the Apocalypse.

Enjoy this slice of retro folks, then come back for seconds, and thirds, and....well, you get the picture.
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Incredible, this is a Swedish five piece band from 2004 but it could have been an UK band from the very interesting Early British Progressive Rock Movement in the early Seventies! From the very first moment Black Bonzo takes you on a trip to the wonderful sound of the late Sixties and early Seventies with strong hints from early Uriah Heep (Hammond, vocal harmonies) but also echoes from The Moody Blues (Mellotron) and Argent ('heavy progressive' with Hammond organ and harder-edged guitar). The ten compositions sound warm, harmonic and varied featuring pleasant vocals and lots of majestic Mellotron waves and powerful Hammond organ runs along some fiery electric guitar. My final rating alternates between 3 and 4 stars but because of the Mellotron and Hammond organ I award Black Bonzo with a fully deserved 4 stars, WHAT A WONDERFUL AND WARM, VINTAGE KEYBOARD DRIVEN PROGROCK!!



This record is bleeping incredible. Of all the "retro-rock" bands I've heard, ie Darkness, Datsuns, Hellacopters, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, and the proggy ones like Wobbler and Anglagard, this is easily the most authentic sounding band, but one doesn't get a feeling of listening to recycled riffs or ideas while enjoying this record. It's almost like a time warp back to the era of glitzy capes and giant backdrops. The production is incredible, being a combination of crystal clear modern sounds with the feel of Seventies keyboards and drums (the snare sound is straight out of 1975). The comparisons are easy- this band is basically the new Uriah Heep, although traces of Queen, Deep Purple, Status Quo and even softer groups like BJH and the Moodies pop in and out, mainly in the very majestic mellotron sections. But Heep is no doubt the overriding influence. The opener, Lady of the Light, showcases the beat from Easy Livin', and is one of three rockers ("Freedom" and "Jailbait" being the other boogie fun tunes) buried amongst the ponderous, pompous mid-tempo prog pieces. Delicately plucked acoustic guitars, bluesy electric solos, classy, David Byron-esque lead vocals and extensive use of multi-part harmonies, and lots (and lots!) of organ solos are other distinguishing characteristics of this fine record. I don't think any fan of Seventies rock and roll can afford to be without this CD.
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