The beginnings of Vindictiv go all the way back to 2004 when guitarsit Stefan Lindholm contacted Pontus Larsson and together they commenced working on some of Stefan’s songs. They recorded a demo in 2005 which was well received and, after original band members Tommy Karevik and Johan Larsson decided to move on and pursue other projects, it was left to Stefan and Pontus to build a new line-up. Stefan turned to one of the finest and most respected singers in the world of rock, Goran Edman, who fortunately liked what Stefan was putting together and agreed to come on board. Through Goran the band recruited drummer Mikael Wikman and finally the line up was completed with the addition of Nalle Pahlsson  to supply bass duties.

Down the years the vocals of Goran Edman have become the stuff of legend. Any project that has his name attached to is always guaranteed to be of a high standard. He has come a long way since his days as vocalist for Yngwie Malmsteen and his vocals have graced music by bands such as Karma, Karmakanic and more recently Xsaviour. Vindictiv carries on his knack for being associated with intriguing, stimulating and challenging rock music.

From start to finish Vindictiv’s debut album delivers stunning musicianship, wonderful vocal arrangements and superb song arrangements. There are many fans of Goran's talent for layering vocals into wonderful choir like arrangements that are harmonically rich and every chorus on this release demonstrates this unique and stylistic quality to devastating effect, particularly on “Fool’s Paradise” and “Fata Morgana” (where there is a melody line that sounds like a nod of the head to David Bowie’s Space Odyssey). It’s not all about Goran’s vocals though, he is more the icing on a very tasty musical cake.

Lovers of guitar players who push themselves to the limit and play like their lives depended on it will find their thirsts well and truly quenched thanks to terrific playing by Stefan Lindholm. His style and tone brings to mind Yngwie during his Eclipse and Fire And Ice period. As a player he has his neo-classical runs and arpeggios nailed down to perfection and when he really takes off there is a wonderful sense of freedom and wild abandon to his approach. On the tracks “The Royal Loo”, ”David’s House” and ”Fata Morgana” he positively smokes. For people who don’t like the guitars to go too far out be assured Stefan knows when to sit back and get absorbed by the melodies and he does this to great effect on “Living Colours” where the playing of John Norum at his most flamboyant best came instantly to mind.

It takes a few spins for the songs on this album to start feeling like old friends due to the fact that the playing and vocals really grab ones attention from the off and have you reeling as one breathtaking solo is followed by another. One is overwhelmed by the individual performances but once that initial impression is brought under control the quality of the songs and arrangements starts to shine through. Vindictiv have released a modern and highly melodic rock album that retains a classy and approachable rock flavour that will appeal to many. If you’re in the market for an album that you can get your teeth into then this release deserves your attention.

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Track Listing

Fool's Paradise
Caesar's Commentaries
The Royal Loo
Dreams of a Demon's Head
David's House
A Quiet Life
Living Colour's
Hymn To Desdemona
A Second Life
Fata Morgana

Line Up

Goran Edman - Vocals
Stefan Lindholm - Guitars
Nalle Pahlsson - Bass
Pontus Larsson - Keyboards
Mikael Wikman - Drums