Horisont

Swedish stoner rock outfit Horisont emerged in the twenty-first century even though their sonic foundations rest in the expansive progressive and proto-metal explorations of the 1970s. Sprawling early recordings such as the 2009 release Två Sidor Av Horisonten captured space-boogie echoes reminiscent of Blue Öyster Cult alongside the intricate progressive drive of Wishbone Ash and Jethro Tull, all propelled by the urgency associated with England’s NWOBHM movement. By the arrival of Time Warriors in 2013 the group had sharpened a more assertive progressive-metal identity while preserving melodic hard-rock hooks in the manner of Status Quo. With About Time in 2017 they forged a distinctive voice that braided choogling metal and riff-heavy hard rock reminiscent of Deep Purple, labyrinthine melodic lines worthy of early Kansas, Hawkwind’s cosmic force, and the dramatic lyricism paired with twin-guitar firepower that defined Thin Lizzy.

The band coalesced in 2006 around vocalist Axel Soderberg, guitarists Charles Van Loo and Kristofer Möller, bassist Magnus Delborg, and drummer Pontus Jordan. Swiftly establishing themselves at the leading edge of Scandinavia’s retro-rock resurgence alongside acts such as Witchcraft and Graveyard, they championed early Status Quo–styled boogie blues, progressive intricacies, the swagger of Hell Bent for Leather, and anthemic choruses delivered at high volume, all without ironic distance and with open reverence for earlier masters. Their debut, Två Sidor Av Horisonten, appeared on Crusher Records in 2009 and received largely favorable notices; the follow-up, Second Assault, issued by Metal Blade in 2012, presented a grittier, fuzz-laden strain of revivalist psych-rock that earned festival and club placements together with widespread critical acclaim.

Time Warriors in 2013 deepened the ensemble’s progressive credentials, drawing on Yes’s dynamic shifts and expansive harmonic language while adding greater force. Concert demand surged, prompting extensive European and South American tours. The self-described “space saga” Odyssey arrived on Rise Above in 2015. Kristofer Möller departed and Australian Church of Misery guitarist Tom Sutton joined; although international touring aimed to solidify his place in the group, the partnership proved short-lived. Re-entering the studio, Horisont replaced Sutton with guitarist/vocalist David Kälin and delivered About Time in 2017, their first recording for Century Media. The album balanced weight and progressive ambition, introducing American listeners to the band’s propulsive, hook-driven approach. In 2020 they returned with Sudden Death, their second Century Media outing. Opening track “Into the Night” surprised audiences with its softer, ELO-inflected prog-pop sensibility, while layered vocal harmonies, pianos, glockenspiels, and the saxophone of newcomer Oskar Bäcklin supplied added textural richness.