Swedish melodic rock band WILDNESS released their self titled album via AOR Heaven. The band began as a studio project founded by drummer and songwriter Erik Modin. Adam Holdstrom and Pontus Skold would join the project next. The quest for a vocalist continued until 2014 when Gabrield Linmark was brought aboard. WILDNESS released their single "Collide" in 2015 and followed up with another single "Turning the Pages" in January of 2016. Amidst heavy play on melodic rock and AOR stations, the band caught the attention of Georg Siegl of the record label AOR Heaven. The band was signed and set to work on their full length album.

WILDNESS pulls inspiration from 80's metal as evidenced by high energy tracks embellished with heavy synth such as "War Inside My Head." Perhaps the stand out track on the album.The next two tracks keep up the intensity. "Stranger" brings a passionate refrain sang by Linmark. "Shadowland" culminates with full powerful sound. With "Alibi", WILDNESS delivers another burning chorus accented with interesting guitar and keyboard lines. "Collide" has an interesting sound right off with repetitive piano melody glinting over the characteristic 80's infused sound that the WILDNESS has given thus far. The lyrics were not overly impressive to me, but overall the song is well written.

Thematically, many of the songs seem to be about heartache. "Your Last Romance" and "The Flame" both emit yearning. The latter being the more impressive of the two with compelling guitar hooks and instrumentation full of passion. "Welcome the Night" provides a nice 80's rock scape with heavier riffing. The album wraps things up with "Turning the Pages", probably the most atmospheric track of the debut. Overall, the album is well produced, and the songs are well written. WILDNESS will certainly appeal to those in favor of a lighter, more melodic sound, as well as those who revel in the nostalgia of the days of glam rock.