Thursday, October 16, 2014

LYNX (Sweden) - Caught In The Trap (1985)

LYNX (Sweden) - Caught In The Trap (1985)
Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

There were many bands called LYNX thru the rock 'n roll years, but this one requested hails from Sweden. "Caught In The Trap" was their sole album (only vinyl) appeared in 1985, and it's a really interesting release.
Lynx Sweden combines '80s Hard Rock and the mixture of NWOBHM which was heard in the middle of the decade, featuring lots of keyboards and synth arrangements akin Tobruk, Tygers Of Pang Tang and alike.
With a strong vocalist in Mats Eriksson, the music is tight, driven by crunchy riffs but always focused in melody.

Opener "My Own Way" is a hard rocker with a powerful groove that somehow recalls Alcatrazz, followed by the ultra catchy "Win Or Lose" where I hear some Rainbow-JLT era but also the first Europe. The latter influence is also present on the cool "Man Without a Face" (just listen the chorus and the scale progression).
Another solid track is the midtempo "Fingers Crossed" blending sharp riffs and keys in the background, while the vocals are airy, spaced out.

My favorite cut is the more AOR oriented "Don't Fool Me", a little hidden gem from the Scandi pit, but all songs are good.
Check the fightin' "Final Race" and its riffage - and especially the solo - bringing to mind Saxon, while the fast "Nothing In Return" gives you a dose of fine and listenable NWOBHM.
"Master Of Evil" is that kind of 'mysterious song' with a heavy riff and vintage keyboards / organs (very nice), and closer "Nightwalker" makes me think of last Rainbow again, though the riff is more 'British'.

LYNX (Sweden) - Caught In The Trap (1985) back cover

Lynx Sweden comprised very talented musicians, the playing & musicianship is top notch and, for a novel band playing this type of music in Sweden at the first half of the '80s, production is truly good.
A collectors item.


01 - My Own Way
02 - Win Or Lose
03 - Fingers Crossed
04 - Man Without A Face
05 - Don't Fool Me
06 - Final Race
07 - Nothing In Return
08 - Master Of Evil
09 - Nightwalker

Mats Eriksson - Vocals
Per Larsson - Guitars
Mats Hermasson - Keyboards
Kauno Vaattovaara - Bass
Carl Moser - Drums




LYNX (Sweden) - Caught In The Trap
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6 Comments:

JC_AOR said...

Thankyou!!! Thankyou!!! Thankyou!!! Excellent post Camel 😊 what a cool album, thanks for sharing 😊

T.P said...

For sure you don't get fooled with this band!

I want to join in the praise and thank you, too, for this fabulous entry including background info which doesn't stand back as usual due to its uniqueness.

Bye for now,
Thomas

Mats Feretti said...

Hello!

Nice to read your comments!
The album is re-released on No Remorse Records this autumn with 3 more songs. http://label.noremorse.gr/
One live recording from 82 and two demo-recordings from -83/84

After the release of the LP "Caught In The Trap" we recorded 4 song but we never got the chance to make this second album
but you can find one these on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7ZiNSduGVk
There's also another version of "Race to Hell": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTcdytqFu08
Hope you enjoy!

We are now, after 29 years, writing new songs together and maybe there will be a new record next year (2015)
both with the old recordings and some new songs!

Mats Feretti (Eriksson) - Vocals / Lynx

MatsF said...

Final Race = Race to Hell

Anonymous said...

New website:

http://matsferetti.wixsite.com/lynx/press

Anonymous said...

LYNX