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Despite the millions of album sales, millions of followers, awards, and sold-out arenas, Europe would be the first to admit that, arguably, they have never received the respect that their output has deserved. The gazillion-selling, keyboard-parping “The Final Countdown” plays a part in that, as it was impossible to escape it when it first took off (sorry, not sorry) 40 years ago. Poppy, big hair, sparkles, and insanely catchy, it was too easy to dismiss Europe as disposable and here-today-gone-tomorrow.
And to an extent, they probably still have to overcome those accusations today, more often than not, by cynics who haven’t listened to Joey Tempest, John Norum, and company for some time, or only know them through THAT song. They certainly would never have caught them live. Which is a great shame, because Europe have been on one hell of a run for some time now, and the hot streak that began with 2009’s Last Look at Eden album has seen the band in staggering form. Studio album number 12, Come This Madness, not only continues this hot streak, but betters what came before it. No easy feat, considering how strong some of the previous albums have been.
Urban legend has it that Europe took their name from Deep Purple’s Made in Europe 1976 live album, and Deep Purple is a great jumping-off point for parts of Come This Madness. Fans of Deep Purple (therefore, also Whitesnake) are going to love this album. The tag team of John Norum (guitars) and Mic Michaeli (keyboards) conjures memories of Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord going toe-to-toe on so many Purple classics.
If a Purple comparison is needed for comparison’s sake, then this is the album that the Mark II line-up should have made after blowing everyone away with Perfect Strangers in 1984. Here, especially moments like the groove-laden “Scandinavian Eyes” and the swashbuckling “Nothing Can Follow This” are prime-time Gillan, Blackmore, et al., with some gorgeous playing from John Norum, and Joey Tempest is in fine voice, channeling his inner Ian Gillan (as he also does on “In a Different World”, which has certain cinematic qualities).
Like the last few albums, this is a guitar-driven record, with John Norum in stunning form. It’s bassist John Levén who steals the show early on during the album opener “One On One”; his thick basslicks are immense and almost feel like a personal tribute to Ozzy, with a few tips of the hat to “No More Tears”. It’s a huge, hopeful way to open the album, and the slow build is effective as it seamlessly seques into “The Cult of Ignorance”, one of the heftier tracks on the album, and one which might find even the snottiest of Europe-cynics enjoying the fare on offer.
Loads to admire on Come This Madness: the A-team behind the control panel for one, Tom Dalgety (Ghost, Rammstein, Pixies, The Cult, Opeth), replaces Dave Cobb as producer, and mixing legend Mike Fraser is his usual bombastic self; the songs are top-notch, so much so that personal favourites constantly change, with the towering title-track, the Coverdale-ish ballad-of-sorts “This Time of Year” (Michaeli’s subtle keyboards are crucial) and the sweeping, riff-fuelled “The Angels Must Have Flown” all vying for top-spot.
Special guest appearances from Tobias Forge (Ghost) and Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth) on backing vocals will bring a sliver of street cred, but in all honesty, the album stands on its own two feet, and perhaps that is why both are credited as performing but not listed on any specific tracks. Anyway, it’s much cooler having cult actor Peter Stormare appearing in the video for “One On One”.
The forthcoming tour is billed as The Final Countdown 40th Anniversary Tour, which makes sense as it is a momentous milestone that should be celebrated, but it would be insane to skip over this album, as it contains some of the finest work that Europe have created in decades. A stunning, well-crafted classic hard rock album.
Available September 25th via Silver Lining Music; more information HERE
Review: Dave
Photo credit: Andy Ford
2026 Dates:
30 Sep – SEC Armadillo, Glasgow (GB)*
2 Oct – Civic Hall, Wolverhampton (GB)* – SOLD OUT
3 Oct – Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, London (GB)* – VERY LOW TICKETS
5 Oct – Musis Arnhem, Arnhem (NL)* – SOLD OUT
6 Oct – Olympia, Paris (FR)* – SOLD OUT
8 Oct – Poble Espanyol, Barcelona (ES)*
9 Oct – Bilbao Arena Mirabilla, Bilbao (ES)* – VERY LOW TICKETS
10 Oct – La Cubierta, Madrid (ES)* – VERY LOW TICKETS
12 Oct – Salle Métropole, Lausanne (CH)*
13 Oct – Volkshaus, Zürich (CH)*
14 Oct – Alcatraz, Milan (IT)*
16 Oct – Liederhalle, Stuttgart (DE)* – SOLD OUT
17 Oct – Gasometer, Wien (AT)* – SOLD OUT
19 Oct – Admiralspalast Theater, Berlin (DE)* – SOLD OUT
20 Oct – COS Torwar, Warszawa (PL)*
22 Oct – Falkoner, Frederiksberg (DK)* – VERY LOW TICKETS
23 Oct – Film Studios, Gothenburg (SE)* – SOLD OUT
24 Oct – B-K, Stockholm (SE)* – SOLD OUT
26 Oct – Sentrum Scene, Oslo (NO)* – SOLD OUT
15 Nov – Malta Metal Weekend, St. Julians (MT)*
21 Nov – Ostravar Aréna, Ostrava (CZ)*
25 Nov – Aalto Hall @ House of Culture, Helsinki (FI)*
27 Nov – John Smith Rock Frozen Paviljonki, Jyväskylä (FI)*
28 Nov – Unholy Winter Festival Joensuu Areena, Joensuu (FI)*
Ticket information HERE
