Start from the Dark

Start from the Dark is a work on which EUROPE took a little distance from their flashy 1980s image, building around low, heavy guitar riffs and shadowed singing. The playing is tight, and the songs have a hard-nosed rock feel including a blues sense. It is a long-awaited comeback, regrouping with the classic lineup including John Norum after a hiatus of roughly twelve years. While keeping the strength of the melody, the sound image and themes gain a grown-up composure. Unlike the flashy arena rock of before, a sturdy sound evoking 1970s hard rock runs throughout. Showing that the reunited band found a new center of gravity and restarted as a matured rock band, it is a powerful record announcing the dawn of a new EUROPE chapter, with a firm fullness that lets you forget the long gap.