Artist: Europe Album: Start From the Dark

Year: 2004
Duration: 48:36

A Critical Review of Europe's Album Start From the Dark

Europe is a Swedish rock band that gained popularity in the 80s with their hit song The Final Countdown. However, after a hiatus in the 90s, the band returned with a new sound in 2004's Start From the Dark album. This album marked a departure from the hair metal sound that defined their earlier work and embraced a heavier, more modern rock sound. In this critical review, we'll dive into the music genre of the album, the best songs, the most innovative parts, and a final verdict on the album's quality.

The music genre of Start From the Dark is a mix of hard rock and heavy metal. This album is not for the faint of heart, as it features powerful riffs, aggressive percussion and haunting vocals. This change in sound was a bold move for a band who had previously dominated the radio waves with catchy, power-pop ballads. But Europe manages to pull off the shift, and it's clear that they put a lot of effort into crafting the sound of this album.

One of the best songs on the album is Got To Have Faith. This track features a slower tempo and a haunting guitar riff that perfectly compliments vocalist Joey Tempest's emotive delivery of the lyrics. The chorus is epic, and the overall sound of the song is both powerful and melancholic.

Another standout track on the album is Hero. The song features a driving rhythm and a catchy, anthemic chorus that's impossible not to sing along to. The guitar work on the track is also noteworthy, as John Norum lays down some impressive solos that really elevate the song to another level.

In terms of innovation, one of the most interesting parts of Start From the Dark is how Europe embraced a more modern sound. This album features a lot of chugging guitars, breakdowns, and screamed vocals, which were not present in their previous work. They also experiment with different song structures, such as the multi-part Wake Up Call and the instrumental A Mother's Son.

However, despite the band's efforts to reinvent themselves, there are still some drawbacks to the album. Some of the tracks feel a bit formulaic and the lyrics are often predictable. Additionally, some of the later tracks on the record start to sound a bit samey, which can lead to boredom for the listener.

In conclusion, Start From the Dark is a strong album that showcases Europe's ability to evolve and adapt to changing musical trends. The sound is heavy, the performances are impressive, and there are some genuinely great songs on the record. However, the album is not perfect, and there are moments where it feels like the band is playing it a bit safe. Nevertheless, if you're a fan of hard rock and heavy metal, this album is definitely worth checking out.

In conclusion, Start From the Dark is a strong album that showcases Europe's ability to evolve and adapt to changing musical trends. The sound is heavy, the performances are impressive, and there are some genuinely great songs on the record. However, the album is not perfect, and there are moments where it feels like the band is playing it a bit safe. Nevertheless, if you're a fan of hard rock and heavy metal, this album is definitely worth checking out.