Ten years in the making, the day is finally here. the long-awaited new album from Moon Safari, Himlabacken Vol. 2. is officially out. Their 5th studio album is being heralded as one of the best in the group’s already outstanding discography.
“A veritable pomp-rock-meets-melodic masterclass.” – Classic Rock
“Moon Safari have exceeded any and all expectations with Himlabacken Vol.2.” – The Prog Report
“With ‘Himlabacken Vol. 2’, Moon Safari have delivered the most wonderfully uplifting collection of songs I have heard this year.” – Progradar
“Arguably their best release yet” – Sonic Perspectives
“An absolute stone-cold masterpiece, 10/10!” – The Prog Corner
The band share this message about the album’s release: “It’s been a decade! A decade of real highs and lows. There was a 50/50 chance that this album wouldn’t exist, and a 50/50 chance that Moon Safari wouldn’t persist. Yet here we are, with an album that satisfies almost all of our musical dreams. And hopefully yours too.
What eventually tipped the scales was love, pure and simple. The love we put into the music and didn’t want to abandon. The love between the members (that we sometimes have to remind ourselves about). And, above all, the love you’ve showed us over the last 10 years.
You’re the reason we kept going. This album is now yours! HAPPY RELEASE DAY!
CHEERS / MOON SAFARI”
Track Listing: 1. 198X (Heaven Hill) (3:55) 2. Between the Devil and Me (10:38) 3. Emma, Come On (3:19) 4. A Lifetime to Learn How to Love (8:28) 5. Beyond the Blue (2:12) 6. Blood Moon (5:44) 7. Teen Angel Meets the Apocalypse (21:03) 8. Forever, For You (10:08) 9. Epilog (3:22)
Moon Safari is: Petter Sandström – Lead and Backing vocals, Acoustic Guitar Simon Åkesson – Lead and Backing Vocals, Piano, Organ, moog. Pontus Åkesson – Lead and Backing Vocals, Electric and Acoustic Guitar Sebastian Åkesson – Backing Vocals, assorted keys, percussion. Mikael Israelsson – Backing Vocals, Drums, percussion, keyboards, piano Johan Westerlund – Lead and Backing Vocals, Bass Guitar
Special guest performance by Jamison Smeltz – saxophone on “Forever, For You”
Swedish progressive rockers, Moon Safari recently announced their long-awaited new album Himlabacken Vol. 2.Ten years in the making, their 5th studio album will be released on December 6th through Marquee Inc. in Japan and worldwide on December 8th through the band’s own Blomljud Records Inc.
Moon Safari are now pleased to share the video for album’s second single “Emma, Come On.” You can see video here:
The band had this to say about the track: ”Do people still have posters of their favourite artists or movie stars on the walls in their room? This song is about celebrity worshipping, the slightly unhealthy kind. All dressed up in swirling moogs and guitars, as if Genesis in the mid ‘80’s kept one foot in their past and didn’t care for airplay. Which celebrity poster did you hang on your bedroom wall?”
About the making of the album: “It took us ten years, for a million different reasons. But we’re not dead yet. We return with what we know is a worthy comeback album, filled with our own special brand of symphonic rock cultivated over 20 years as an antidote to the long, dark winters of northern Sweden, with those trademark vocal group-inspired harmonies, uplifting melodies and soulful romantic lyrics that our fans have come to expect. With the addition of ex. Black Bonzo drummer Mikael Israelsson to the band we’ve totally revamped and boosted the low end of our sound, tightened it up, and that attitude shift is felt through our entire arrangements.Tying it all together is the mix by the great Rich Mouser. He’s been the go-to guy for the big boys in the genre for many years, and now we understand why. The mix is clear and punchy, booming and never flat. It just sounds expensive, and we couldn’t be happier. You’ll get almost 70 minutes of this heady brew, spread over nine tracks, with zero fillers. And of course there’s the obligatory epic. The whole thing is a banger, and we’re immensely proud of it.”
Track Listing: 1. 198X (Heaven Hill) (3:55) 2. Between the Devil and Me (10:38) 3. Emma, Come On (3:19) 4. A Lifetime to Learn How to Love (8:28) 5. Beyond the Blue (2:12) 6. Blood Moon (5:44) 7. Teen Angel Meets the Apocalypse (21:03) 8. Forever, For You (10:08) 9. Epilog (3:22)
Moon Safari is: Petter Sandström – Lead and Backing vocals, Acoustic Guitar Simon Åkesson – Lead and Backing Vocals, Piano, Organ, moog. Pontus Åkesson – Lead and Backing Vocals, Electric and Acoustic Guitar Sebastian Åkesson – Backing Vocals, assorted keys, percussion. Mikael Israelsson – Backing Vocals, Drums, percussion, keyboards, piano Johan Westerlund – Lead and Backing Vocals, Bass Guitar
Special guest performance by Jamison Smeltz – saxophone on “Forever, For You”
Regular Seat tickets for RoSfest are on sale now thru the Majestic Theater Box Office. Only combination weekend tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be available for sale at the total ticket price of $231.00.
Regular seat tickets may only be purchased on the Majestic Theater website or through the box office by calling (717) 337-8200, or in person at 25 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg, PA during box office hours (Sunday: 3-7:30 PM, Monday-Saturday: 12 noon-7:30 PM).
Swedish band MOON SAFARI to headline at ROSfest 2017
Moon Safari was formed back in 2003 and have steadily built an audience through memorable albums and live performances. With more than half a dozen albums to their name so far, two of which celebrate the strength of their live performances. The first of these, “The Gettysburg Address” from 2012, documenting their most excellent concert at our festival in 2011.
It is not customary for us to bring back bands that have played here on numerous occasions before, but Moon Safari is one of those bands that really makes a strong impression. They blew us away in 2009, even more so in 2011, and as six years have passed since they played here last so we found that it was a good idea to bring them back again now. They are a solid band, a high quality live unit, and has the stature required to be a headliner. We know that many people will be extremely happy so see their name on the roster again for 2017, eagerly waiting to yet again hear their impressive, positive and uplifting take on contemporary progressive rock. And as they have been working on a new album for some time now, tentatively called “Himlabacken II”, we might expect this one to be ready in time for ROSfest as well.
We know that for some of our audience, it is difficult to make it to the Friday night event, but with Moon Safari as the headliner, we are certain that quite a few will make an extra effort to get here in time for a full weekend stay. A beautiful experience is coming our way on May the 5th of 2017, and a guaranteed contender for the best ever ROSfest concert!
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