Flight of Icarus – Terra Nova
Release Date: 13th June 2025
Label: Battlegod Productions
Bandcamp
Genre: Pop Metal, AOR, Contemporary Rock.
FFO: Roxette, Heart, Battle Beast, Within Temptation, Starship, Fleetwood Mac, Yes.
Review By: Mark Waight
Formed in 2016, Swedish Pop Metal Duo Flight of Icarus is the potent pairing of long-time metal musician Oskar Frantzen and vocalist Elisabeth Sarnefalt Rosehag. The whole project happened purely by chance when Oskar unexpectedly heard his wife’s best friend Elisabeth’s unique singing voice at the precise moment in time when he was trying out a whole series of different singers with whom he wanted to create a new contemporary rock/pop single with. Realizing at that very moment the talent he had been searching for had been right under his nose all along, the rest they say is now history.
“Terra Nova” is Flight of Icarus’s third studio album and their very first release for the Battlegod Productions record label. Following on from two previous self-releases, their self-titled 2018 debut and 2021’s “Cleo” this latest venture “Terra Nova” continues Flight of Icarus’s musical journey and evolution as they begin to fully establish themselves by honing their own distinctive sound.
The futuristic sounding and contemporary rock infused instrumental introduction “Icarus Rise” moves us nicely towards the big bold and vividly painted landscape of title track “Terra Nova” with its rich, deep, and almost cinematic feel. Some deliciously divine vocals, superb synths and a gritty guitar solo complete the picture by enhancing and embellishing the silver screen atmosphere generated.
Giving the impression of stepping back almost five decades in time, “Lost Highway” has a sing-along 70s rock appeal to it and works well in setting the tone and direction of travel for the next song. Uplifting and AOR influenced track “To the Sun (And Back Again)” with its superb male/female vocal harmonies leaves no requirement for a time machine as it takes you right back to the good old days in fabulous style.
Next up vulnerable and emotional ballad “Through Space and Time” is an 80s style tearjerker that pulls firmly on the heart strings before the equally heavenly “Deus” holds onto the intensity with beautifully crystal-clear vocals that conjure up dreamy images of fluffy clouds drifting serenely through bright blue skies.
Up-tempo and harder rocking track “God Bless” adds that necessary bit of steel and bite to the mix by taking things up a notch or two with its scintillating riff laden melody and catchy hook. The darker instrumental “War Cry” with its OMD meets chariots of fire fusion, then drops us back down a gear once more.
For those of you who like something a little lighter and more laid back, tracks “Nangilima” and “Liberi” deliver exactly that and are just what the doctor ordered. They are a couple of pure soft rock compositions that round things off very nicely indeed and will leave you more chilled out than a few ice-cold beers on a hot summer’s day.
Closing the album out sweetly, the duo then put their very own spin on the Iron Maiden classic “Flight of Icarus” by giving it a refreshing and complete makeover rather than mimicking the original. Nice!
“Terra Nova” is an extremely likeable and thoroughly enjoyable album which facilitates Flight of Icarus to explore several different avenues without ever upsetting the apple cart.
There’s not too much metal on show here but for those of you who maybe, like me, occasionally love a nice bit of AOR, contemporary rock or some cool retro vibes there is plenty to hold your interest and keep you coming back for more. A great album for the summer, make sure you check it out!
(4 / 5)
