GeddyBass2112

When I began learning Swedish, I decided to look for some Swedish music, and SOMEHOW I found Trettioäriga (pronounced Tretti-o-er-iga) Kriget (The Thirty Years War) and another couple of bands, Anekdoten and Änglagård (pronounced Eh-ngla-gohd I think). The first two are Swedish language only, the third is a nix of Swedish and English.

Seems like Sweden has some serious prog talent, most of which (massive prog fan as I am) I've never come across before. Anyone else got any fave Swedish prog bands?

Unknown Soldier

Not just prog, but some of the best bands have come out of Sweden in the last 15 years or so, especially in the metal and prog categories.

Pain of Salvation, Evergrey, Flower Kings, Opeth, Dark Tranquillity, In Flames, At the Gates, Tiamat, Meshuggah and Hypocrisy to name some.

The two most interesting are probably Pain of Salvation and Tiamat each with their particular brand of prog metal.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

Samla Mammas Manna. A vastly vastly underrated seventies prog band. One of the earliest I heard to truly mix carnival/rock(Yes, folks, Mike Patton did not invent the concept.).

Guybrush

Samla Mammas Manna would be my favourite as well.

Second to them, at the moment, is Ragnarök. About a year ago, I checked out their 1977 self-titled debut on a recommendation from Anteater and it is a brilliant record.



Their second album is also good, despite the complete change in style.

Third pick I guess would be Änglagård.

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GeddyBass2112

Ah cheers guys! Will check some of these suggestions when I can!

gunnels

Beardfish are pretty sweet as well. They have a great sense of humor too! (which is always welcome in prog in my book)

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Anteater

Yep, all the great prog. seems to come from Sweden these days.

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Dotoar

Don't forget Kaipa, one of the most successful symphonic prog bands from here. (Yes, I'm a swede. And a newcomer so I cannot post links as of yet). Find their two first albums "Kaipa" (1975) and "Inget nytt under solen" at all costs!

Glad to see Moon Safari mentioned, their album "Blomljud" (2008) is probably one of my absolute favorite albums of the recent decade. Be sure to check out their city fellows Black Bonzo. Heavier and more Uriah Heep than Yes but amazing musicianship and great songs, especially the first two albums "Lady of the light" (2004) and "Sound of the apocalypse" (2007). And then we have the neo-psych project Dungen (well, it has evolved into a full band on the recent record but originally it was the brainchild of Gustav Ejstes, only accompanied by a band when playing live). All their records are worth having, although the most recent "Skit i allt" (2010) was somewhat a letdown. (I'd post a review I wrote for a paper, if it wasn't written in swedish). Try to find "Stadsvandringar" (2002), "Ta det lugnt" (2004), "Tio bitar" (2007) and "4" (2008).

What have we more... yes, a couple of other pearls from the 70's. Blåkulla released one self-titled album in 1975 which sounds like a cross between symph-prog and hard rock (i.e. Yes crossed with Deep Purple), and is quite heavy on the organ but the songs are top-notch. Then there is Dimmornas Bro who actually released at least two albums, s/t and "Mål" whereof at least the debut is worth having as it sounds quite like the aforementioned Blåkulla. Then we have Atlas whose sole album "Blå vardag" is quite a marvel in itself. Purely instrumental Camel-like jazz-prog with great melodies and immaculate playing. Released in 1977. Do find! And those into folk-prog might have heard about Kebnekajse who did jam-rock interpretations of traditional swedish folk songs, originally performed by fiddlers located in various rural areas around the country, especially the north of Sweden. Very mantraic and authentic, but I'm probably biased here since I'm born and partly raised in Jämtland where this tradition is strong.

And of course it would be really cool to see what you people would think about my own progressive project, but I don't feel that this is the right entry for self-promotion. But I'll get on it where it belongs in due time.

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Dotoar

Maybe time to shed some light over the bands I namedropped above.

Kaipa - Musiken är ljuset (eng: Music is the light)


Kaipa - Ankaret (eng: The anchor)


Kaipa - Korståg (eng: Crusade)



Yeah, let's start with those three. If anyone is interested I could upload some albums later on.

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freddie

My favorite swedish prog band is Beardfish. They are young, funny, full of ideas and don't have even a single weak song at the moment. Among their 5 albums I love the last one "Destined Solitaire" (2009) most and waiting for a new one in 2011. Seen them live once - and want more.

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