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http://www.dprp.net/reviews/200858.php#klotet

Klotet are a new (formed in 2004) group, from Uppsala, Sweden. The members are Mikael Styrke – drums & Percussion; Milvesofia Rydahl – organ, Rhodes & keyboards; David Hallberg – bass guitar & Pahl Sundstrom – guitars.

Recently, there has certainly not been any shortage of excellent prog bands from Sweden with The Flower Kings, Karmakanic, Soniq Circus and Simon Says being only a few of the names which spring to mind. Klotet, however, cast their minds back much further for inspiration, as their entirely instrumental concoction draws on such stalwarts of the early Swedish prog movement as Kebnekajsie, Flasket Brinner and the legendary Bo Hansson.

Indeed, their guitar and organ/Rhodes dominated sound has as much in common with late sixties psychedelia and proto-prog as it does with the later symphonic progressive style. This extended suite of instrumental music sits somewhere between the folk tunes and whimsy of the first Samla Mammas Manna album and the grandiose melancholy of Anglagard (though without any mellotron or flute).

From the opening bars of Jagad Av Satan, with its ultra cool Fender piano and trippy guitar, the music is instantly identifiable as being of Swedish origin. There is much to enjoy in Klotet’s unique approach to their musical heritage, especially the wonderful Fender Rhodes and organ playing of Rydahl. Sundstrom weighs in with some beautiful, melodic guitar – his playing is fluid and not a little funky in places, especially on album closer Splittring.

The 14 succinct tunes, most of which segue into one another, are overflowing with deliciously twisting riffs and motifs. My favourites are the more intense numbers like Vanlig Dag Pa Jobbet, Snutjavel and Makt Korrumperar, but Ugglor I Mossen, with its rolling percussion and moody organ comes close to capturing the special magic of Bo Hansson’s masterpiece Lord Of the Rings and is a mighty fine track.

En Rak Hoger is an assured debut from a band with a somewhat unusual flavour and a lot of promise. Fans of Swedish progressive music will lap it up.

Conclusion: 7 out of 10

Nice score