Swedish band SKÅNSKA MORD was formed back in 2006, and have released two full length productions so far; “The Last Super ” (2010) and “Paths to Charon” (2012). In 2014 they resurfaced with a self-titled EP, released as a 12 inch vinyl through Swedish label Transubstans Records.

If this latest production of theirs indicates what this band is all about, it seems clear that this is a band with a strong affection for both the good, old blues as well as for early 70’s style vintage hard rock. The four compositions all revolve around aspects of those two styles, and with brilliantly emotional, subtly whiskey-flavored lead vocals as the icing on the cake on the first three of them.

Illusion kicks off this EP with a hard rocking affair arguably a bit more in the vein of good, old Mountain, with an undertone of Black Sabbath and vintage stoner rock. The following piece Leaving is a blues track in it’s heart and soul, beefed up with hard vintage guitar riffs on set occasions, while A Room With a View opens as a gentler affair combining the blues with flightier psychedelic details, transforming into a more vintage stoner rock oriented, harder hitting and more dramatic approach in the second half. Concluding track Black Salad is the odd one out here, as it is an instrumental affair, and one that has more of a folk and perhaps even southern rock feel to it, with a flowing guitar solo run that might even recall the likes of Wishbone Ash. I understand that this latter piece is a cover tune though, hence why it is markedly different in scope and style from the opening three cuts.

All in all a well made, solid production, an EP well worth taking a closer look at if blues based and oriented 70’s style hard rock and stoner rock is music you find appealing. Fans of a band like Mountain is, to my mind at least, probably something of a key audience.

My rating: 80/100