Snake Charmer (Swe) - Smoke And Mirros [Japan] (1993)

Hard Rock / Melodic Hard Rock

CD release by Japanese label Far East Metal Syndicate.
Includes OBI + booklet with info/lyrics in English and Japanse.
Some promo copies had a "Sample" sticker on back cover (like this one listed here).

Also released by Swedish label Arctic Records [#ARCD001]

Anders Johansson uses Pearl Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Pro Mark Sticks and Remo Drumheads.

Thanklist: Susanne Karlsson, Mai Stadin, Magnus Stadin, Karina, Magnus, Calle & Erik Linnér, Susanne Kilje, Sonny Larsson, Jonas Hansson, Anders, Marianne & Jenny Eklund, Pernilla Elmquist, Else Johansson, Jens Johansson, Domenique, Leomporra, M.C.A, Jonas Hellborg, Jörg Fischer, Jörgen Holmstedt, Benny Jansson, Thomas Brandt & Millis Fredriksson, Claudia & Sandi Cirnski, Ellen & Eddie Cirnski, Natascha Cirnski, Stefan Olsson, Jake Samuel, Jaime Salazar, Simon Krev, Micke Hanström, Aces High, Hal Johnston, Marte Karlsson, Annika Dehlén, Lisette Holberg, Bengt Wahlman, Magnus Rosén, Randi & Per Sandberg, Rune Liedström, Johan Lindblad, Tony Borg, Stanley Hawk, Torbjörn Jörgensen, Månst Gustafsson, Helen & Loffe, Mr. Yoshizawa, Mr. Nakamura, Mr. Yanagizawa, Wayne Blanchard, Pat Rodgers, Jesaja & Mina, Jens Heath at Muskantor & Co.

Biography (English translation from Japanese booklet)
The current heavy metal scene is dominated by artists with rough sound styles, such as the so-called "Seattle" bands represented by Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, and Soundgarden, as well as thrash heavy metal bands such as Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer, all of which express the "anger" and "grief" that lie within humans in a straightforward and aggressive manner. One of the major events that led to this kind of rough and raw heavy metal gaining acceptance was the sudden breakthrough of Metallica's third album, 'Master of Puppets', in the United States and many other countries in 1986.

In 1988, Guns N' Roses, now known as the "Rock Monsters," made their debut. After that, street rock'n'roll bands flooded the scene like mushrooms after a rain (this trend hasn't disappeared even now), but even though they differed in sound form from thrash metal, they shared the same basic rough and straightforwardness. From 1982-1983 to 1986, L.A. metal as a sound style became popular, mainly in Los Angeles, the "rock capital" at the time, but on the other hand, while it appealed to a flashy visual image in terms of looks, the sound also had a neat and tidy, artificial color with a sense of pretense. Some of these LA metal artists featured keyboards extensively and showed an industrial rock color closer to AOR, but in any case, it seems that such neatly crafted heavy metal sounds have been replaced by the rough and straightforward sounds mentioned above in the current scene.

Although it is not mentioned in the global scene flow, here in Japan, there used to be a framework called "Nordic Metal" at the same time as LA Metal. Artists such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Europe and Pretty Maids, who later established their status in Europe and Japan and are still popular today, as well as smaller bands such as Madison, 220 Volt, and Silver Mountain, were introduced to Japan one after another and attracted the attention of fans, which was a small boom of Nordic Metal. The sound of Nordic Metal also has a "yin" image compared to the "yang" L.A. Metal, but it has something in common with the sense that it is beautifully decorated and well-crafted, and I feel that it has been pushed into the corner a little in the current era where a rough sound is still required. Although it is supported by long-time, die-hard fans, it is not easy to gain many new listeners.

In the midst of all this, Snake Charmer, another band from Scandinavia with a very Scandinavian sound, is making their debut. The four members credited as members of Snake Charmer are: Pete Sandberg (vocals), Sven Cirnski (g), Per Stadin (b, key), Anders Johansson (ds)

Bassists Per Stadin and Anders Johansson were former members of the previously mentioned Silver Mountain. First, let me give you a brief explanation of Silver Mountain. Silver Mountain was formed in Malmö, Sweden in 1978 by guitarist and vocalist Jonas Hanson. After several member changes, in 1979 the band released the self-produced single "Man Of No Present Existence" b/w "Axeman And The Virgin" with the lineup of Jonas Hanson (vocals, guitar), Morgan Alm (guitar), Ingemar Stenquist (bass), and Mårten Hedener (drums). After that, they produced demo tapes and knocked on the doors of many record companies, but were ignored. Later, with a lineup of Jonas Hansson (vocals, guitar), Per Stadin (bass), Anders Johansson (drums) and Jens Johansson (keyboards), the band produced a demo tape in the spring of 1982 that was finally recognized by the Dutch heavy metal indie label Roadrunner the following year, and after some time, released their debut album "Shakin' Brains" (APCY-8020) in the spring of 1984. Just as they were about to start recording their next album, Anders and Jens Johansson were approached by Yngwie Malmsteen, who had left Alcatrazz, to join his project. However, they replaced him with Mårten Hedener (drums), who had participated in their self-produced single, Erik Björn Nielsen as session keyboardist, and Christer Mentzer as full-time vocalist, and began their second album. They released the album 'Universe' (APCY-8021) in the spring of 1985. They also appeared as special guests at the 5th Japan Heavy Metal Festival held at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall in Tokyo in October 1985, their first and last performance in Japan, and the performance was recorded as a live album titled "Hibiya - Live in Japan '85" (APCY-8022). After that, they disappeared completely, but suddenly released their fourth album, 'Roses & Champagne' in early 1989. Except for the two core members Jonas Hansson and Per Stadin, the line-up had changed again, and Johan Dahlström (vocals), Kjell Gustafsson (drums), and Erik Björn Nielsen (keys) were welcomed as an official member. However, even after the album's release, little was reported about their activities, and eventually there was information that the central figure, Jonas Hansson, had moved to Los Angeles alone, and Silver Mountain had effectively disbanded.

I have a deep personal attachment to Silver Mountain, whose music, incorporating elements of classical music throughout and persistently tugging at the listener's heart with its weeping and melancholy melodies, was the last stronghold of Nordic metal, and I am extremely pleased that Per Stadin has now formed a new band and returned to the scene after a four-year absence.

Here's how Snake Charmer was formed.
Alien, a popular band that had a No. 1 chart hit in Sweden, broke up after releasing two albums, 'Alien (1988)' and "Shiftin' Gear (1990)". Pete Sandberg, the singer (he only participated in "Shiftin' Gear"), moved to Los Angeles. There he met Anders Johansson, the drummer, and Jörg Fischer, the former Accept guitarist, who had also moved to Los Angeles and started a band together. They worked together for a while. After that, Pete played in a cover band, which was half hobby and half work, but he contacted Anders and Jörg again to form a new band. Then, when Anders was wondering what to do about the bass player, he contacted Per Stadin, who had been working as a session musician since the breakup of Silver Mountain and was looking for a chance to resume band activities.

At this point, the band was still a hobby-oriented cover band, and in the summer of '91, they toured Scandinavia for two months under the name Coverboys. The success of this tour gave them the desire to make it a permanent band, but unfortunately Jörg Fischer left the band, wanting to pursue his own path. However, the remaining three continued to work on completing the material that Per had written up until then into proper songs. As a result of auditioning guitarists in parallel, they welcomed newcomer Sven Cirnski, who had been playing in several local bands, as a member, and the lineup of Snake Charmer was solidified. They recorded their debut album, 'Smoke And Mirrors', at MRC Studio in Malmö, Sweden, Per's hometown, after a month of recording. The album was produced by Per himself, and guest keyboardist Jens Johansson, formerly of Silver Mountain, Yngwie Malmsteen and Dio, participated in the two tracks "Heart On Hold" and "Highway Of Love".

It is well known that the band name Silver Mountain was inspired by the title of a song by Rainbow, led by Ritchie Blackmore, but the band name Snaker Charmer is no doubt borrowed from the title "Snake Charmer", the fifth track on Rainbow's debut album 'Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow'. With this idea for the band name and the fact that Per is the central figure of the band, it is only natural to imagine that the sound will be tear-jerking hard rock with classical elements in the style of Silver Mountain. However, contrary to the somewhat eerie-sounding band name, Snake Charmer's musicality is very pop hard rock with refreshing melodies in sophisticated arrangements. This kind of relaxed, easy-on-the-ears hard rock that gently penetrates the listener's heart with the beauty of the pure melody is music that appeals to a wide range of fans, even to listeners who do not usually listen to hard rock/heavy metal. Not only is it pop, but the "melancholy" flavor that comes from the Nordic blood that flows through their veins, and Sven's guitar playing, which gives the songs a moderate edge with elegant technical phrases that vary in tempo, will of course capture the hearts of hard rock fans. Also, Per's bass line movement, which retains the atmosphere of the Silver Mountain era, and Pete's voice singing beautiful and refreshing melodies with a sad tone, will sound nostalgic to fans who know their past.

Incidentally, "Eleanor Rigby" is a cover of the Beatles, and the heavy chorus and strings make it a rather dramatic version. Neatly organized hard rock like Snake Charmer tends to be overshadowed by rough and straightforward music in the current scene, but here in Japan, it is definitely a music that is always in demand. That's why I hope Japanese fans will take the lead and support bands like them.

- Masao Fujiki/BURRN 93.3.7.