Band of the week 50/2024
Origin: Malmö, Sweden
Genre: Prog Rock
Hier geht’s zur deutschen Version.
The band about itself:
A.C.T – The melodic prog rock sensation from Sweden!
Editorial commentary:
For this Band of the Week during Advent, I’ve chosen A.C.T from Sweden. These days, you’d likely stumble upon this band only by chance. I discovered them around 2002, after Andromeda’s drummer, Thomas Lejon, joined the group. Back then they had so much fun performing live at the Colos-Saal that, in 2016, I decided to combine a city trip to Malmö with their concert in Hässleholm—or, more precisely, the concert became the main reason for the trip.
The quintet from Malmö blends progressive rock with a unique mix of catchy pop melodies, metallic riffs, and rich synth sounds. And particularly distinctive is the exceptional voice of lead singer Herman Saming, which gives the band its unmistakable character.
A.C.T has been around since the mid-90s, and they quickly established themselves within the Scandinavian prog scene. While they didn’t achieve major international success, true fans still appreciate their music to this day. And one major highlight of their career was the release of their 2003 concept album Last Epic. With its well-crafted storyline, gripping arrangements, and emotional moments, it stands as a milestone for the Swedes. For a deeper look into its creation, you can find a short five-part series on YouTube.
After their 2006 album Silence, the band went quiet for a while. However, in 2014, they re-emerged with Circus Pandemonium, a new sign of life, which culminated in their 2016 „live“ DVD Trifles and Pandemonium. While this performance was recorded in an industrial hall without an audience, it was created with much love and incredible care.
In 2018, they made a powerful comeback with the announcement of the Rebirth EP. Planned as a tetralogy, the project has so far seen three releases: Heatwave in 2021 and Falling in 2023. Although the fourth and final instalment was teased for 2024, it sadly isn’t ready in time to make it a parcel for the Christmas tree. Stylistically, the band remains true to their roots, combining complex arrangements with a touch of humour and the spirited energy of „young rebels“ that has defined them for over 20 years.
A.C.T is an absolute must-see live, even though their performances have become scarce and mostly limited to Scandinavia. But if you’re lucky enough to catch one of their shows—such as their recent appearance at the We Love Rock Festival in Oslo—you’ll be treated to an energetic and heartfelt experience.
For anyone who loves sophisticated prog rock with great entertainment value, A.C.T is a must. And until their next show, there are plenty of albums and YouTube clips to explore their diverse soundscapes—which is just perfect for the snowy season.
Live impressions:
Music recommendation:
Links:
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Band of the week is our weekly posting about a band we recommend and is posted every Tuesday at 8pm (CET). These are bands that are just at the beginning of their career and that we think should recieve more attention.
You can also find all the bands we’ve featured this year in our playlist on Spotify!
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