Europe – ‘Come This Madness’

(Silver Lining Music)

There are some bands whose musical history is so significant that revisiting them in the modern era inevitably comes with a certain amount of expectation. Europe are undoubtedly one of those bands. Their place in rock history is firmly established, their classic material remains hugely influential, and their distinctive blend of melodic hard rock, arena-sized choruses and keyboard-driven melodies helped define an era. However, I have to confess that I have struggled to connect with some of their more recent output. Not through any lack of quality or musicianship, but perhaps because something about the magic that made the band so special in their heyday hasn't always resonated with me in quite the same way.

And then along comes Come This Madness.

Somehow, this album just feels right. There is something about its atmosphere, its songwriting and its overall musical identity that has immediately drawn me in. Rather than attempting to recreate the sound of their Eighties glory days, Europe have embraced a more mature, sophisticated version of their classic style. The result is an album that feels unmistakably European, yet comfortably positioned in the present. It is melodic hard rock with experience, depth and character, delivered by musicians who understand exactly who they are and what they want to achieve.

What makes Come This Madness particularly enjoyable is the way it balances familiarity with progression. The foundations of Europe's sound are still very much intact, but the approach is more measured, more considered and, at times, considerably darker than the music that originally brought them worldwide recognition. There is a confidence running throughout the album, an understanding that they don't need to chase trends or compete with younger bands. Instead, they can simply concentrate on producing music that reflects their identity and musical maturity.

The songwriting is a major part of that success. There is a real sense of purpose here, with compositions that favour atmosphere, melody and carefully constructed arrangements over straightforward, predictable hard rock formulas. The hooks are present, naturally, but they are not always delivered in the obvious, instantly accessible fashion that characterised some of their earlier material. Instead, melodies are allowed to develop, arrangements breathe, and the songs reveal their strengths through repeated listening.

That maturity is one of the album's greatest assets. Europe have developed a more muscular, sometimes brooding sound, incorporating elements of classic hard rock with a contemporary production approach. There is plenty of weight and substance, but equally, there is an appreciation of space and dynamics. The guitars have a wonderfully assured presence, providing the necessary power without overwhelming the arrangements, while the keyboards remain an important component of the band's musical identity.

And thank goodness for that. One of the things that has always separated Europe from many of their contemporaries is their ability to incorporate keyboards into hard rock without making them feel like an afterthought. Here, those textures help create atmosphere, depth and melodic sophistication. They complement the guitars beautifully, adding colour and dimension to the arrangements while maintaining that unmistakable European flavour. There is no attempt to rely solely on nostalgia, but there is certainly an understanding of what made their classic sound so appealing in the first place.

The rhythm section deserves considerable credit too. Everything feels purposeful and assured, with a solid foundation that allows the more intricate arrangements to flourish. The performances are polished without becoming sterile, and there is an organic quality to the music that gives the album plenty of personality. This is not a collection of musicians simply going through the motions. There is genuine enthusiasm and commitment behind the performances.

Vocally, Joey Tempest remains an essential ingredient in the band's identity. His voice has naturally evolved over the years, developing a more seasoned character that suits the material exceptionally well. Rather than attempting to recapture the youthful exuberance of the band's early recordings, he delivers performances that feel expressive, authoritative and emotionally convincing. There is a certain gravitas to his delivery, particularly when the arrangements become more atmospheric or dramatic. His voice has always possessed a distinctive character, and here it feels perfectly suited to the band's modern direction.

Another aspect I particularly appreciate is the album's overall consistency. There is a cohesive musical identity running throughout, and nothing feels particularly out of place. The balance between heavier passages, melodic sections and more atmospheric moments gives the record an appealing sense of movement. It is an album that rewards attention rather than demanding instant gratification, and that is something I have come to appreciate increasingly in modern melodic hard rock.

Importantly, Europe haven't completely abandoned the accessibility that made them such a successful band. The melodies remain central to everything they do, and there is enough classic European DNA running through these compositions to keep longtime fans interested. However, this is not an exercise in nostalgia, nor is it an attempt to recreate The Final Countdown or Out Of This World. Those albums belong to a particular time and place, and their legacy is secure. Come This Madness is about a band embracing its present rather than constantly looking backwards.

For somebody who has found it difficult to fully embrace some of Europe's more recent musical adventures, that distinction is important. I don't necessarily want the band to revisit their past, but I do want to hear something that connects with the qualities that originally made me love their music. This album achieves precisely that. It has the melodies, the atmosphere, the musicianship and, perhaps most importantly, the emotional connection that I have occasionally felt was missing from their modern output.

There is also something wonderfully reassuring about hearing a band of Europe's stature producing an album that feels so comfortable in its own skin. They sound experienced, confident and completely in control of their musical direction. Nothing feels forced, and there is no desperation to prove anything. This is mature melodic hard rock from musicians who have spent decades refining their craft.

Come This Madness might not be the Europe album that everyone was expecting, but for me, it is one of their most satisfying modern statements. It has reconnected me with a band whose recent output I haven't always found easy to embrace, and that alone makes this release particularly rewarding.

Sometimes an album simply clicks. Sometimes everything falls into place, and you find yourself enjoying a record far more than you anticipated. Come This Madness is that album for me.

Europe have delivered a mature, melodic and wonderfully assured slice of hard rock that reminds me exactly why this band remains so special. And long may that continue.

‘One On One’, a confident opening statement that immediately establishes the album's mature melodic hard rock identity. There is a wonderful balance between muscular guitars, atmospheric keyboards and infectious melodies, with Joey Tempest delivering a characterful vocal performance. Europe sound assured, comfortable and completely in control. A strong start.

‘The Cult Of Ignorance’, a slightly darker, heavier offering that demonstrates the band's willingness to explore more challenging musical territory. The arrangement has plenty of bite, with some excellent guitar work and a wonderfully atmospheric backdrop. The songwriting is intelligent without sacrificing its melodic foundations, making this a particularly satisfying listen.

‘Come This Madness’, the album's title track provides another excellent example of Europe's modern musical personality. There is a real sense of drama and purpose here, with the band building an engaging composition around strong melodies and beautifully judged dynamics. Tempest sounds particularly convincing, bringing plenty of emotion and authority to the performance.

‘This Time Of Year’ is a more reflective moment, allowing the atmospheric elements of the band's sound to take centre stage. The keyboards add wonderful depth, while the guitars provide warmth and substance. It is melodic, thoughtful and beautifully constructed, highlighting the more sophisticated side of Europe's songwriting.

‘In A Different World’, a wonderfully engaging composition that showcases the band's ability to combine accessible melodies with more contemporary hard rock arrangements. The chorus work is particularly effective, and there is a real sense of momentum throughout. Classic Europe qualities delivered with modern confidence.

‘Scandinavian Eyes’, atmospheric and unmistakably European, this is a composition that benefits enormously from the band's distinctive musical identity. The interplay between guitars and keyboards is excellent, creating a rich sonic landscape that rewards repeated listening.

‘Takin’ It Back’, here the band inject a little more energy into proceedings. The guitars have a welcome muscularity, while the melodies ensure everything remains firmly rooted in melodic hard rock. Tempest delivers another assured performance, helping make this one particularly enjoyable.

‘In The Absence Of Grace’, a more emotionally charged composition, built around atmosphere, thoughtful arrangements and expressive vocals. There is a wonderfully understated quality to the songwriting, allowing the emotion to develop naturally rather than relying on obvious musical fireworks.

‘The Angels Must Have Flown’, melodic, evocative and beautifully atmospheric, this is Europe demonstrating their considerable ability to create music with genuine emotional depth. The arrangement has plenty of character, and the vocal delivery adds another layer of sincerity.

‘The Devil’s Back’, a welcome injection of hard rock attitude, with plenty of weight and muscularity. The guitars provide the necessary firepower, while the melodic sensibilities prevent things becoming unnecessarily heavy. An enjoyable reminder that Europe can still deliver plenty of rock ‘n roll muscle.

‘Nothing Can Follow This’, a fitting closing statement, bringing the album to a satisfying conclusion. There is a sense of reflection and musical maturity about the composition, with the band's atmospheric approach once again proving particularly effective. A classy way to finish an impressive collection.

Sometimes a band comes along and reminds you exactly why you fell in love with their music in the first place. Come This Madness has done precisely that for me. I've struggled to connect with some of Europe's more recent output, but this album hits a sweet spot that I haven't experienced for quite some time. Mature, atmospheric, beautifully melodic and packed with intelligent songwriting, it captures everything I love about this band without simply trying to recreate the past. Joey Tempest sounds superb, the guitar and keyboard interplay is excellent, and there is a real emotional depth running throughout. This isn't Eighties Europe revisited; it's Europe confidently embracing their present. A hugely satisfying melodic hard rock album and, for me, one of their finest modern offerings. Turn it up!

9/10

Essential Track – ‘Come This Madness’

Review by Woody