As time passes by, there are bands that became strong names in their respective Metal/Rock genres. They become what can be called institutions due the recognition to their work, and maybe to their resilience to the passage of time. And the Swedish quartet THE QUILL seems to have both aspects at their side, because "Earthside" is an amazing release.

Even after 26 years since their first album, "The Quill", they still bear a fine mix between classic Hard Rock with aspects of Stoner Metal/Rock, and clear Bluesy touch in many parts (especially on the vocals tunes). It's strong, massive, heavy and organic, but it's far from being something 'out-of-date', because their music sounds alive, full of energy, and filled with amazing melodies and great choruses. And besides its organic weight, their music has a clear accessible appeal, in a way that's easy for any fan of music (even those that aren't into Metal or Rock) like what they play.

The quartet once more worked on the album having the assistance of Erik Nilsson (from 491 Studio in Oskarshamn, Sweden), who worked with them on "Born From Fire". And things worked great once more, because the sonority is basic and really has an organic feeling coming from it, but in a modern and defined way that allows the fans to understand what's being expressed by the band, and earn their songs a boost on weight,

All the album's songs are really great, but for those that aren't introduced to these veterans (that has names as AYREON, HANOI ROCKS, ELECTRIC BOYS, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS, and ARCH ENEMY), their best offerings to the ears are "Hallucinate" (excellent vocals and melodies created by the guitars), "Keep On Moving" (catchy accessible parts, adorned with a fine rhythmic work created by bass guitar and drums), "Dwarf Planet" (this one begins like a ballad, then becomes a heavy weight song with clear influences from BLACK SABBATH), "Left Brain Blues" (a modern and abrasive Hard/Stoner Metal, with great musical arrangements), "Earthrise" (it has some bluesy touches, but the melodies are easy to like on the first hearing), "Evil Omen" (a long song with charming contrasts between accessible and heavier moments), and... Well, the best thing to do is to hear the entire album, because there aren't best songs, because all the songs are best songs!

"Earthrise" is truly a great album, and THE QUILL comes to be a candidate to be in the top10 of every fan at the end of this year.