Swedish band GUDARS SKYMNING was formed back in 2006, and two years later the foursome released their initial album “Dansa tillbaks till din grav”. In 2010 their second album “Mörka vatten” saw the light of day, this time issued through Italian label Black Widow Records. “Höj Era Glas” is the third and most recent full length production by this Swedish foursome, and was released through Swedish label Transubstans Records towards the end of 2013.
One thing I can say for sure after listening to this album is that I know way to little about 70’s hard rock. Or to put it this way: There’s a highly distinct 70’s sound, mood and atmosphere throughout this album, but I’m unable to truly pinpoint it towards a specific context. Which tell me that this band have taken some cues by one or more bands I’m not aware of, or that I haven’t explored extensively enough to be able to recall them. So my apologies to the band if I may point in directions that will surprise you here.
There are two distinctly recurring elements throughout however. The first of these, rather unsurprisingly I guess, is that this is a band that have a distinct blues foundation to their brand of hard rock. A statement that can be used for just about all rock bands of course, but some are closer to the source than others, and in the case of Gudars Skymning the blues does rise to the surface on regular occasions, and generally has a presence throughout. Tied in to this details we have the guitars, with a majestic, dark toned vibe to them that invites to a Black Sabbath namedrop. In this case there’s more of a vibe and mood reference to this highly influential band though, but on tracks such as Gåtor i Mörkret and Den Långa Vägen Hem those fond of Tony Iommi and his cohorts exploits from the early 70’s are treated to a more substantial fare of that nature too.
Otherwise I’d namedrop artists such as Robin Tower, The Who and ZZ Top as likely sources of inspiration on individual songs, and as I did think I heard a slight touch of southern rock going on here and there I wouldn’t be all that surprised if this band are familiar with the likes of Allman Brothers Band and Molly Hatchett either. Here and there I even thought I heard details that might have been of a NWOBHM origin, although I might be horribly mistaken there. Slight touches of psychedelic guitar details and occasional jazz-tinged bass and guitar undercurrents are other flavors that have a natural place in the compositions of this fine Swedish band.
Gudars Skymning comes across as a more than competent band, their material tight and well planned, and performed with apparent confidence too. They have a strong vocalist that fits their material very well indeed, and both guitarists know their way around a good hard rock tune too. Much the same can be said about the bassist and drummer, and I get the impression that this is a band that will kick major ass when performing live. They comes across as a tight and experienced unit on this album, a band that know what they want to do and how to execute it as they desire themselves.
There are plenty of strong bands around that explore a 70’s oriented brand of blues based hard rock, and Gudars Skymning can safely be added to any list of such artists. “Höj Era Glas” contains enough references to well known artists to appear as familiar, but also manage to establish a sound and atmosphere that at least to my ears doesn’t pinpoint them into any specific sounds like band x category. If pressed I guess I’d claim that those who enjoy Black Sabbath and Robin Trower both might be a key audience, as well as those who have a general fancy for 70’s sounding blues based hard rock.
My rating: 82/100
