Swedish band Arkado follow up their 2020 debut release “Never Say Never” which got some attention within the Melodic Rock scene with their sophomore album “Open Sea”. Building on from the debut album which is described as more Heavier and Symphonic. The album was brought to life, produced and mixed by Mikael Svensson, then mastered by Thomas Plec Johansson.

“Voyage” is a nice instrumental intro with the bell ringing, the waves crashing. Then comes in a guitar solo blended with some nice keyboards. ”Open Sea” the title track, then follows its dramatic, operatic and melodic feel with some great vocals and arrangement with some nice vocals ,”Running Through The Night” is another great track with Toto influences for me the keyboards are very prominent in this track which I love, great chorus .

"I Gave My Heart” is a superb AOR/Melodic Rock track with a 80’s feel which gives that sound of Europe back in the day, so does “You Make Me Feel” the first single from this album its a feel good anthem with great vocals, great chorus, with a superb guitar solo two of the best tracks on the album Swedish Melodic Rock at its best. ”Rising High” is the second single which is a little heavier, a little bit rockier with a nice catchy chorus which gets stuck in your head .”Her Mother Lullaby” is a change in direction it has more of a 70’s feel with the opening keyboard riff reminds me a bit of Queen ,a good track but not my favourite on the album .”Long Way To Go” is a a great Hard Rock track with another superb chorus ear worm stuff! what’s not to like with this track. ”Unchain The Night” is a more heavier ,dramatic feel to it which works really well vocally, also musically as is the next track “Like Something Heaven Sent” but they still keep them melodic choruses which make them very likeable. ”Show Me The Light Again” closes the album a slower number that finishes the album very nicely another highlight of the album for me, Philip Lindstrand has got such a great voice, he reminds me of Joey Tempest in some of the songs superb vocals.

Arkado has produced a great second album here. The production is very good. I love the way the keyboards come to the front of the mix very  clever, I love the guitar solos which are superb, the vocals are excellent. There's also a lot of variety a bit of Prog, AOR, Melodic Rock ,some heavier parts. Fans of Europe ,Perfect Plan, Ten and early 80’s AOR will love “Open Sea”. One of my favourite albums of the year so far .I will buy this on cd for sure. I am now going to check out the debut!