Review EUROPE “Come This Madness”

Europe have proven time and again that they are much more than just “The Final Countdown.” Before their commercial breakthrough, the band had already released two strong albums, and since their reunion in 2003, they have continued to put out records that show just how much creative ground they can cover. Still, it has been a long nine years since their last studio album, leaving fans with plenty of time to wonder what new music from the five Swedes might sound like.

That wait is finally over. With Come This Madness, Europe return with their 12th studio album and eleven new tracks. And judging by songs such as the excellent “The Cult of Ignorance,” there is no reason for fans to question the quality of the new album. As the album’s second single, the track makes an immediate impact. A strong hook and carefully shaped melodies give it instant appeal, while the lyrics turn their attention toward a very contemporary subject: the growing ignorance found in today’s society. Songs like this show how Europe have continued to evolve without losing sight of the roots that made their sound recognizable in the first place.

The album gets its opening statement with “One on One.” A short orchestral introduction gives way to a grooving bass line, setting the tone nicely. There is a darker undercurrent running through the track, but Europe balance it with elegant melodies that quickly create that familiar sense of identity. The song establishes an atmosphere that carries into the title track, “Come This Madness.” Here, Europe reflect on the increasingly chaotic nature of the present day. The music fits the subject matter well, combining a somewhat melancholic mood with enough melody to keep a thread of optimism running through the song.

Europe have never been strangers to ballads, and Come This Madness is no exception. “This Time of Year” represents one of the album’s more emotional moments. Strong melodic lines and Joey Tempest’s unmistakable voice give the song the space it needs to work without becoming overly sentimental. It is another reminder that Europe can create emotional weight without turning the volume all the way up.

With “In a Different World,” the band again connects its lyrics to the reality around us while finding a solid balance between melody and atmosphere. Then “Scandinavian Eyes” takes a different route. Its cinematic opening introduces a song that is firmly rooted in the sound of the 1970s. Deep Purple and the classic hard-rock era clearly provide part of the blueprint, yet Europe put enough of their own character into the arrangement to make the track feel entirely at home on this album. The result is a dense, atmospheric hard-rock number that carries those retro vibes into the present without sounding like a history lesson.

“Takin’ It Back” is one of those tracks that slips easily into the ear but does not quite leave the same lasting impression as some of its neighbors. That is followed by “In the Absence of Grace,” a short interlude that puts Mic Michaeli’s keyboard and Joey Tempest’s voice front and center. It is a more intimate moment before the heavier riff of “The Angels Must Have Flown” takes over.

A well-shaped riff and flowing melodic lines form the backbone of “The Angels Must Have Flown.” The song gradually settles into the listener’s head, with a few 1970s touches woven into the arrangement. Once again, Europe use those influences as ingredients rather than trying to recreate the past note for note. The result remains firmly rooted in their own musical language.

From heaven, we now head in the opposite direction. “The Devil’s Back” arrives as a compact hard-rock anthem with a darker edge, though there is nothing particularly gloomy or depressing about it. The chorus is the key here, built around a highly accessible melody that kicks in almost immediately. It is the kind of Europe track that knows exactly where the hook needs to land.

We are now moving toward the finish line. “Nothing Can Follow This” provides another anthemic moment and makes its presence felt from the first listen. It closes the album with the kind of melodic confidence that has become one of Europe’s trademarks.

Come This Madness is a strong addition to Europe’s catalog. The band keeps its familiar trademarks intact while continuing to move its sound forward. The album marks another interesting chapter in the Swedes’ long career, balancing catchy melodies with enough weight and bite to keep things from becoming predictable. There are clear nods to the sounds of the 1970s and early ’80s, but Europe never lose their own identity in the process.

At the heart of it all are five musicians who have been playing together for decades and who still put the songs ahead of the ego. Come This Madness sounds like a band that knows exactly where it came from, while still being curious about where it can go next. And after nine years away from the studio, that is a pretty good way to come back.