Nils Patrik Johansson ‘The Great Conspiracy’
Album Review By Adam McCann
Metalville Records/Heavy Metal
Nils Patrik Johansson is well known within the heavy metal circles; the powerful Swedish voice has led the line for Astral Doors since 2002. Alongside heading up Lion’s Share and recently having a stint with Sabaton alumni Civil War, Johansson delivered his first solo album ‘Evil Deluxe’ back in 2018. This year has Johansson returning with his latest album ‘The Great Conspiracy’.
With ‘…Great Conspiracy’, Johansson steps up to the plate; this is the best album that he has released since the second Civil War album. Granted, with Johansson it is not the easiest voice to get into and it can fall into the category of an ‘acquired taste’; but it is insanely difficult to actually not enjoy it once this hurdle is passed and that is exactly how ‘…Great Conspiracy’ pans out. Tracks such as ‘March of the Tinfoil Hats’, the opening romp of ‘The Agitator’ and ‘The Baseball League’, a song so ultimately cheesy and ludicrous that it shouldn’t be enjoyable, but it is one of the stand-out tracks from the album. That statement can be transposed anywhere on this album, sure this album has its lulls and at times it can be rather forgetful; but who cares? When this album is good, it is a shining example of how good Johansson can actually be.
There isn’t anything here that fans of Johansson won’t be expecting, but what the Swede delivers with ‘…Great Conspiracy’ is the best albums of his career and what a way to light the blue touch paper for your solo career.
Rating : 70/100
MHF Magazine/Adam McCann
