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"Less theatrical but still elegant, “Eternal Winter” reveals an introspective side to A.C.T.'s progressive rock. A cold-weather EP for a band that keeps its heart warm."
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3/5
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After warming hearts with "Falling", A.C.T. returns at the end of summer with an off-season EP: "Eternal Winter". And yet, it is perhaps the Swedish band's most intimate album. Less expansive, more restrained, it seems to want to enclose us for a few moments in a frosty bubble, where time slows down, colors fade, and emotions take precedence over musical antics.
While we still find the finely crafted writing and clean arrangements that are A.C.T.'s trademark, the whole thing sounds more subdued here, almost wintery. The rhythms are more binary, the tempos less bouncy, as if the band had left their theatrical verve in the locker room to better explore other landscapes - more misty, more restrained. The superb “Home,” with its simple but poignant melody, perfectly embodies this refocusing on the essential: pure emotion, without overload. “Signs,” which precedes it, is also in this vein with an effective chorus.
The EP format, already adopted by the band since “Rebirth,” seems more assured here than ever. The tracks, often short, leave little room for progressive detours. There are no long builds or convoluted developments: just the essence of the message, concentrated. This may frustrate fans of multi-layered structures, but it can also be seen as a deliberate artistic choice: to say a lot in a short space of time, like a musical haiku.
Some tracks flirt with other genres, such as 'A New Beginning', which wouldn't have been out of place on a 1980s AOR playlist, or 'Waiting for the Sun', which is deceptively bright but still restrained. Also noteworthy is the elegance of Jerry Sahlin's keyboards, particularly on the more subdued bridges, which bring a little benevolent warmth to the coming winter.
"Eternal Winter" is not a flashy EP. It seeks neither performance nor forced smiles. It is a thoughtful, almost modest EP, proving that even the most exuberant musicians can choose restraint without losing their identity. And while this winter lasts only about thirty minutes, it still leaves a lasting impression. A silence between two storms. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Intro
02. The Family
03. A New Beginning
04. When Snow Was White
05. Waiting For The Sun
06. This Special Day
 07. Signs
08. Home
09. The Big Parade
LINEUP:
Herman Saming: Chant
Jerry Sahlin: Chant / Claviers
Ola Andersson: Chant / Guitares
Peter Asp: Basse
Thomas Lejon: Batterie
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READERS
3.5/5 (2 view(s))
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STAFF:
3.5/5 (2 view(s))
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