ART NATION – Inception

Hard-hitting Swedish rockers Art Nation are back with a brand-new batch of energetic and hook-laden tunes that are stuffed with fist-pumping riffs, big vocal melodies, and punchy choruses. There is nothing radically different nor particularly original to what these guys does compared to many other acts out there, yet they manage to make it all sound fresh, vital, and vigorous. On top of that, Art Nation have some serious musical chops, singer Alexander Strandell has a pretty damn impressive range, and the chords generally rip and tear throughout, which means that what you get here is a collection of songs that contain depth and finesse in equal measure. Inception is a memorable and cohesive record that crackles with electricity and a sense of unfiltered joy, and although a little more groove and swagger would have made it even better, it definitely deserves a serious listen by all you lovers of loud rock music out there.