Review JOSEPH THOLL “It Might Be Art”

Joseph Tholl already has a rich history in rock and metal. The Swedish musician was a founding member of Enforcer, and after leaving the band, he started a new outfit called Black Trip. Last but not least, he joined Tribulation as a guitarist.

Alongside all these commitments, Tholl also released a solo album called “Devil’s Drum”, which was released in 2019. Seven years later, the Swede is following up on the release of this solo project. “It Might Be Art” is Tholl’s second solo release and features ten songs. Tholl handles all the guitar and bass duties, as well as taking care of the piano and keyboards.

“It Might Be Art” is a well-crafted rock album, and the first three songs offer a good indication of what to expect. “New Dawn” is a vivid start to the album, delivering a well-crafted melody. “Oh the Madness” is darker and harder than the opener, yet still has a catchy quality. Although melody-driven, the album never becomes predictable. There is always a rougher edge to the songs, which is also evident in “I’m in a Darkness”.

The latter is a calmer moment that speaks to the soul. This emotive song showcases the range of sounds we can expect from “It Might Be Art”.

The fact that ‘Invocation of the Evening Star’ brings back the roaring rock power demonstrates that Tholl has achieved a great flow in his second solo album. “Walking”, on the other hand, is a stripped-down song in which Tholl’s superb vocals take the lead. It is a melancholic piece of music and the album’s emotional peak.

The title track is driven by darkness, so it’s no surprise that the album closer, “The Burial”, follows a similar sombre approach. These two songs are counterbalanced by the upbeat “I Syrenens Tid”, which takes you to the atmospheric “Rebirth”. With “On Velvet Waves”, we encounter a melodic rock song that reminds me of bands like The Cure and Midnight Oil.

“It Might Be Art” showcases the versatility of rock. Joseph Tholl has delivered a vivid and pulsating album that showcases his passion for rock music. While it is not metal that blasts out of the speakers, it is music that metalheads can also connect to. The authenticity and passion with which it is created make “It Might Be Art” an album that is undoubtedly art, created by a great artist.