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Marking Lion Music's 300th
release; guitar virtuoso / composer
Lars Eric Mattsson returns with the ultimate
neo-classical experience in which metal and
rock guitar, bass and drums meets classical
music for the harmoniously rich ‘Aurora
Borealis’.
This new wholly instrumental 12 track
release takes a fresh approach to the blend
of guitar and orchestra for a musical
experience as uplifting as seeing the wonder
of the northern lights, from which the album
gets its title.
Whilst the combination of orchestra and
guitar may have been done before by amongst
others one of Mattsson’s influences Uli Jon
Roth; ‘Aurora Borealis’ takes the range of
sound and expressions further that what has
been heard before and places as much
emphasis on each tracks backing as with its
guitar work. The result is a highly
captivating and listenable experience. Lush
in textures and timbres, ‘Aurora Borealis’
comes across at times like a film score;
sometimes fast and exotic whilst at others
sweet and luxurious. Many moods are covered
and all of which see Mattsson deliver
impassioned guitar work in his own
inimitable style.
Mattsson made a big point during the albums
compositional stage to deliver an album that
could theoretically be performed live within
the right setting. To achieve this there is
only ever one guitar heard at a time,
sometimes playing the lead part but not
always. Lars Eric Mattsson comments, “I
tried to compose the music with enough
variations and the right flow from start to
end and keep things listenable by using the
right arrangements”.
To ensure his guitar would work as cleanly
as possible with the orchestral parts
Mattsson kept his signal chain as pure as
possible with only the occasional wah pedal
between guitar and amp (with some delay and
reverb added in post production). The result
is a clean sounding release with strong
dynamics and a wide tonal palette.
Despite its relative complexity ‘Aurora
Borealis’ may well be easier on the listener
than some of his previous vocal progressive
metal releases such as 2010’s critically
acclaimed ‘Mattsson – Tango,’ although Lars
concedes with a smile, “It might sound less
complex though I am not sure it actually
is!”. As a final comment when asked to sum
up the new release Mattsson responds,
“Classical music and rock has been mixed
before with various results but never this
way, I tried to create something very unique
and I don’t think it’s fair to label this as
just another instrumental guitar album”.
‘Aurora Borealis’ sees Lars Eric Mattsson
almost halfway through his third decade in
the music business with a new release that
is testament to his vision and appetite to
ever expand his musical horizons and does so
in fine style.
‘Aurora Borealis’ sees
release on Lion Music on 15th April 2010.
Rising:
Perhaps one of the more “ordinary” pieces,
specially composed as an introduction with
the purpose of delivering a high energy
positive kick start. This is probably the
most straight ahead rock piece of the album.
Bounce:
Heavily influenced by J S Bach’s Brandenburg
Concertos this piece’s main theme is
performed by the strings and woodwinds only
in an interplay where the drums/bass/guitar
section respond through a few different
themes. I used the Stratocaster on this
song.
Cold Water Spirit:
This song is dedicated to all the people who
have drowned in cold water after ship
accidents caused by bad weather, war etc.
After seeing a film I started thinking about
how terrible this must feel and that became
the inspiration to this song. On of my
favorites for sure, I think there is a
certain feel in here that is very special.
Forward Thinking:
A simple pulsating groove and a haunting
violin melody that could be done in a
million of ways but very easy to get lost
in. I did a few different versions of this
one including a full metal version before I
decided that less was more… I think this
piece could fit very well as soundtrack to
the right movie.
Revolutionary Star:
This was also done a few times in different
versions before I decided on the final
arrangement. This is one of the more
complicated pieces with some odd meter riffs
and some challenging arpeggios that spice up
the harmony of main theme which I guess is
quite fusion/prog influenced. I used the
Valley Arts on this one.
The Heart:
Just some stings, brass, a flute and guitar
and a melody I am very proud of. I played
the Stratocaster on this one and it was
actually the first piece that was completed.
I think the title says it all.
Eternal Cycles:
A typical neo-classical piece in the style
of my early works (The Exciter etc) with
some updated ideas.
Clear Skies:
A simple major key theme in a number of
variations spiced up with some two handed
tapping I haven’t used in years.
A real trip down memory lane. Here is
another example of a piece I reworked a
couple of times before deciding that less
was more, originally I had intended to use
drums and bass all the way from the
beginning but I think I found a more varied
arrangement this way. This is actually a
quite simple piece but that doesn’t make it
any less good.
Planetary Strength:
The overture of prog metal meets symphonic
rock.
This is probably the most challenging pieces
of “Aurora Borealis”, most of this is in 7/8
with some elements in 2/4 and 3/4 and
includes some interesting harmonies and what
I think is a very cool metal guitar riff and
some more 2 handed finger tapping and a lot
of call and response between various themes.
Parisienne Etude:
Just a solo nylon acoustic guitar piece.
Midnight Sun:
I think this is the piece that I put down
the most time with, rearranging changing,
moving stuff back and forth: I used the
Valley arts on this one and there is quite a
lot of 2 handed tapping here too. A lot of
different influences have been melted into
this piece…
Starfall:
The final piece bringing you the final
peace. Just like “The Heart”: no drums, no
bass, just the orchestra and my guitar. It
feels very pure and simple, I love this
one.
• One of the worlds most respected
guitarists returns with his most adventurous
musical offering to date.
• Likely to appeal to fans of rock and
classical music.
• Reviews in all leading rock/metal press
and webzines.
• Lars Eric Mattsson is available for
interview. Please contact ‘promo@lionmusic.com’
to arrange your publication/webzines
interview.
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