Album Review: tAKiDA – The agony flame (Napalm Records)

tAKiDA, one of Sweden’s most successful current rock bands, will release their highly anticipated new studio album and Napalm Records debut, The agony flame, on February 9th, 2024.

Having been going since around 1999, it’s hard to quite believe that tAKiDA have as much vitality as they continue to show they have on this album. Proving that their relevancy is undying and their willingness to deliver big rock songs is not diminishing in the slightest. The agony flame is a triumph of the tAKiDA sound, where each track is an anthem in its own way.

One of the highlights of the entire record is the vocal performance of singer Robert Pettersson, and opening track, Third Strike shows this. An instant hit of dopamine with a moody melodic vein running through it. It’s a tAKiDA special, but get used to having choruses stuck in your head as The other side and Sacred spell are delightfully infectious. The former having a bit more pep, and the latter being emotive and melodramatic.

Two different sides of tAKiDA, but equally them, and equally lovable.

Their ability to make you move and feel things is unparalleled and those vibes are consistent throughout The agony flame. Hitting listeners with the massive rock sound of In time, follow that up with the dreamy, beautiful sadness of Your blood awaits you, before nailing a more epic soundscape that oozes heart and soul with Nothing but a misplace.

It’s more than reasonable to call this a varied album, tAKiDA never approach two songs in the same way, and craft different layers of emotion throughout. All while keeping things intensely accessible, an aspect that has ensured their star power never seems to wane.

How could it when listeners get to hear music like The loneliest hour and get to dance the night away to an eighties-tinged rock number? Find them leaning into more alternative heavy worlds with Sickening? Or enjoy their unrepented dedication to mood-altering melody with Isolated (smoke & mirrors)? Many, many people are going to find enjoyment here, and they may not be ‘traditionally’ rock fans.

Accessibility isn’t a dirty word though, and fans of more robust rock, with less focus on pop sensibilities will find more than enough to enjoy here too. Especially when tAKiDA are at their anthemic best, such as on the penultimate track, On the line. A sure-fire fan favourite, even if the finale of Second fiddle comes mighty close to that bar too.

tAKiDA are back and the world is a better place with them in it.

tAKiDA – The agony flame Track Listing:

1. Third strike
2. The other side
3. Sacred spell
4. In time
5. Your blood awaits you
6. Nothing but a misplace
7. The loneliest hour
8. Sickening
9. Isolated (smoke & mirrors)
10. On the line
11. Second fiddle

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