Description
Tungt vatten (“Heavy Water”) is the debut album by the Swedish blues rock band Vatten (“Water”), released on Prophone in 1975 (a Swedish label mainly known for classical music). Vatten was a power rock trio formed in 1970, fronted by Tomas Ernvik on lead vocals and guitar, originally backed by a rhythm section consisting of Thomas Lindbjer on bass and Anders Kjellberg on drums (the latter of New Creation fame). The debut album was recorded during the spring of 1974 in Gothenburg, Sweden; with Bob Lander and the band co-producing. All music composed by lead singer Tomas Ernvik (December 21, 1951 – December 31, 2016). The lyrics of Vatten, written by Ernvik and various friends, often talked about peace, environment and social issues, from a Christian perspective.
Danne Gansmoe is featured on harmonica on one track, “Inget att förlora”. Drummer Gansmoe, together with bassist Björn Millton (both of Salt fame), would be the band’s rhythm section on the following two albums by Vatten. (Gansmoe would as well be the drummer on the self-titled debut album by the Swedish hard rock band Jerusalem, released in 1978.)
During the years various Swedish musicians have been members of Vatten, like Danne Gansmoe, Anders Mossberg, Matz Mjörnheim, Björn Millton, Backa-Hans Eriksson, Sven Lindvall, Mats “Matte” Marklund, Bengan Andersson, Lalle Isaksson, Micke Kerslow and Johan Dereborn. The band released five full-length albums and one 7-inch single (The Dreamer/Rely Back), and performed twice at the Greenbelt festival in the UK. (A live version of “The Dreamer” from Vatten’s sophomore album was actually featured on the Greenbelt Live soundtrack album released in 1979.)
The award for the most avant-garde sanctified ‘70s sounds would have to go to the custom debut of the Swedish trio Vatten. Man this thing is hardcore strange! Absolutely raw, loud, stripped-down, grungy, mean, low-down, thunderous blues rock that can plod along at a pace that makes Black Sabbath seem fast. Or they just might burst out with an up-tempo jam that before you know it has degenerated into an improvisational free-form noise bash devoid of anything remotely resembling melody. Guitarist Tomas Ernvik absolutely shreds on the extended leads, fuzzed, phased, feedbacked – I can almost picture him setting his guitar on fire! All vocals growled out in the native tongue with occasional ‘Gud’ or ‘Kristus’ to remind you that “it’s Christian”. Some boogie-woogie, jazz rock, and a couple tunes in the 7-8 minute range, one of them an atmospheric experimental psychedelic thing with what sounds like gurgly underwater vocals. Nifty gate-fold cover. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/tungt-vatten/899750092)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Jag är trött” – 2:25
A2. “Du kämpar” – 3:40
A3. “När du…” – 8:05
A4. “Egoismen” – 5:15
A5. “Tempora mutantur” – 2:45
Side Two
B1. “Svaret” – 7:10
B2. “Förtröstan” – 4:45
B3. “Inget att förlora” – 2:50
B4. “Glädjesprutan” – 5:50
Note: LP housed in a gatefold sleeve, holding an extra flap inside to put the disc behind.
Gatefold Cover Artwork
CREDITS. Co-produced by Bob Lander and Vatten. Technician: Bob Lander.
Musicians: Tomas Ernvik (Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards), Kjell Bäckman (Electric Piano on track B2, Piano on track B3), Danne Gansmoe (Harmonica on track B3), Thomas Lindbjer (Bass, Percussion), Anders Kjellberg (Drums, Percussion), Lasse Johansson (Congas on track B2). Gunilla Strömbäck (Backing Vocals on track B1).
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.