Who got their introduction to Europe with their 1986 powerhouse album, The Final Countdown? I know I did. Did any of you hear anything before that from them? How about after? They were kind of like Falco in a way. Came out of nowhere, hit hard with one big album, then disappeared completely.
The bands roots began in Upplands Väsby in 1979, when Joey Tempest, John Norum, Peter Olsson, and Tony Reno formed the group, Force. Initially, they served only as a cover band, using this to learn their instruments, and how to perform together. However, it would be Tempest who would suggest they start writing their own material, and present the first few songs for consideration.
Despite sending demos to various record companies, they seemed to receive the same feedback. In order to be successful, the members would told they'd have to cut their hair, and switch to singing in their native Swedish language.
Olsson would leave the band in 1981, and be replaced by John Levén. However, after just a couple months, Levén would leave, but keep up for a bit. He'd join the group, Rising Force, and Marcel Jacob, who was serving as their bass player, would take his role in Force. However, shortly after, the two would switch back, with Levén returning to Force, and Jacob returning to Rising Force.
In 1982, Tempest's girlfriend entered them in the Swedish Rock-SM contest, and prior to it, formally changed their name to Europe. They not only went up against 4,000 other bands, but won, with the grand prize being a recording deal with Hot Records. Additionally, Tempest would win a separate award for best vocals, while guitarist, Norum, won an award for his instrumentation.
Europe released their self titled debut in 1983, and found it selling well in both Sweden and Japan. It would chart at number eight in the home country, while the single, Seven Doors Hotel, became a top ten single in Japan.
Playing through it, I have to wonder where this album has been all my life. It's fantastic! I would highly suggest that if you like their opus, The Final Countdown (the album), you'll enjoy hearing the roots of where it all started.
It's really no surprise that its sounds echo that of their 1986 release, as Tempest is credited as the main writing on the majority of all the tracks across their four albums released in the 80's. If nothing else, you find familiarity in that, and the ears, I've found, like that.
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Europe's debut is definitely a hidden gem. Though I found it enjoyable from start to finish, I'll highlight the tracks, In The Future To Come, Farewell, Seven Doors Hotel, and The King Will Return, which I feel are the strongest of the bunch.
With a good start under their belts, the band would return to the studio to record what would become their sophomore album, Wings Of Tomorrow. It would be pinnacle to the group's forthcoming worldwide breakthrough. But, we'll get into the details of that tomorrow.
For now, I urge you to check this one out. If you're a fan of Europe's 1986 album, or simple dig good 80's hair band rock, then I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
October 11, 1989
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