By Charlie Steffens
Saturn, an emerging rock and roll band from Sweden, wants to leave its sonic imprint on the world. Formed in 2011, the group has yet to play outside its native locale, but according to guitarist Robin Tidebrink, he and his band mates have every intention of getting their music heard abroad. The recent release of Saturn’s debut, Ascending (Live In Space), will serve as the vessel for the band to soar.
Saturn plays a catchy, straight-to-the-jugular brand of rock in the tradition of classic rock and heavy metal bands from the 70s and 80s like Black Sabbath and UFO. Minimalistic in its production, Ascending was recorded with the aim that the songs would sound the same in a live setting as when they were laid down in the studio.
Tidebrink, who cites Ritchie Blackmore and Yngwie Malmsteen as his major influences, talks about the record. “It’s our first album ever and we’re stoked to get it out. We recorded all the instruments at the same time, in one take, and we added nothing afterwards. No overdubs or no added guitar tracks.“ This approach to working in the studio brings out the passion and realism in Saturn’s music. “We just, more or less, mic’d up the instruments and said, ‘Yeah, let’s go.’ It was like we were in the rehearsal room, but with the exception that someone had pressed record. The blazing first track, “So, You Have Chosen Death”, demonstrates the guitarist’s description of the recording process. And while the album lacks the glossiness and decibels of a super-produced recording, Tidebrink doesn’t seem too concerned. “The decibels don’t peak and it’s not that fat-sounding. But it’s organic and it’s pure and it’s very dynamic. Instead of altering levels afterward, we do it when we play.”
Ascending brings the essence of what Saturn has to say without embellishment.
“You don’t have to be so technical, advanced on your instrument to make a good song. It’s not about that. I think it’s about the soul and a good little lick.”
Saturn is Tidebrink on guitar and vocals, Oscar Bo Valentine Pehrson on bass, vocals, and organ, Linkan Lindgren on guitars and vocals and Ted Carlsen on drums.
http://www.saturnsweden.com
https://www.facebook.com/SaturnSweden
Get your hands on Ascending (Live In Space) here:
http://www.riseaboverecords.com/store/ascending-live-in-space/
