EUROPE ’Come This Madness’

EUROPE
Come This Madness
Silver Lining Music
https://www.europetheband.com

2026 marks the 40th anniversary of EUROPE’s mega hit song (and album) “The Final Countdown”.  What better way to celebrate its impact on the music world than with an extensive tour and a new album.  ‘Come This Madness’ is the twelfth studio album for the Swedish Hard Rockers, and their first since 2017’s ‘Walk The Earth’.

The album’s opening track “One on One” starts off with a subtle, but impactful orchestral section that forewarns you something great is coming. The thumping bass of John Leven is hard to ignore on this song of reclaimed passion.  The twin guitar attack of Joey Tempest and John Norum pair well with Tempest’s melodic vocal sections.

Mic Michaeli’s cosmic keys carry you into a mix of electric and acoustic guitars on “The Cult of Ignorance”.  Tempest gets pretty deep in his lyrics about power and corruption.  The chorus section is like a battle cry that is sure to elicit some sing-alongs.  The album’s title track is clearly a throwback to “The Final Countdown” days.  The slick production, the riffs, and the hook laden chorus all wink to EUROPE’s past, while still keeping things modern sounding.  

“This Time Of Year” slows the pace down with a combination of soft keyboard chords and singular piano notes.  Triggered by Holidays and life moment celebrations, Tempest recalls the good times with his lost love and wonders aloud if things could be better if he had another chance.  Norum delivers a soulful solo run during the break.

I had the chance to listen to ‘Come This Madness’ before most of the promotional tracks (singles) were released.  I thought back then, “Scandinavian Eyes” would be a great single.  I hope they go with that one (and they did).  EUROPE does revisit an orchestral intro as they did at the start of the album, but once the bluesy guitar riffs kick in, this song is another animal.  The song can be intense at times, but also endearing.

Guitarist John Norum has been a bit low-key throughout the album up to this point, but he puts on a clinic with his fretwork on “Takin’ It Back”.  Joey Tempest is right there with his confident and soulful vocals.  “In The Absence of Grace” is brief, but poses some thought-provoking questions.

Tempest gives his take on the bright lights of Hollywood not being as bright as they seem on “The Angels Must Of Flown.”  This song is a bit on the dark side, with haunting rhythms and eerie tones. “The Devil’s Back” has a great Blues shuffle, mixed with the rhythmic drumming of Ian Haugland.

“Come This Madness” and an enjoyable array of rock anthems, ballads, and mid-tempo foot-tappers.  EUROPE once again proves themselves one of Sweden’s top music attractions.  If you haven’t checked in with the band since ‘The Final Countdown’, some of the material might not click with you.  If you’ve been with EUROPE for the last few albums, you’ll find ‘Come What May’ falls in line, outpacing the lot of them.  

4.3 Out Of 5.0