CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD – CHASING DANGER
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Review by: Mathew Wilson
Review Score: 9
Label: Mighty Music
Release Date: 04/04/2025
ABOUT THE BAND
The new album is a ten-song, upbeat, melodic rock journey with a distinctively Swedish flair.
Under the close supervision of producer Sverker Widgren, where guitarist Daniel Krakowski and producer Robert Majd co-produced, the Captain spent the most of the year honing the song that would eventually become “Chasing Danger” at Wing Studios in Stockholm. Oscar Bromwall (guitar) and John Lönnmyr (keyboard) also contributed some awesomeness to this album, which includes the lead single “When It’s Over” (co-written by Erik Modin of Wildness), a modern AOR statement in “A.I. Lover,” their trademark Disco-AOR in “Shine,” a piano-driven ballad called “Piece Of Paradise” (co-written with John Lönnmyr of The Night Flight Orchestra), and the epic album finale “In Your Arms.”
“Chasing Danger” will be released on LP (transparent blue vinyl, limited to 300 copies), CD and digital on April 4th, 2025 via Mighty Music.
Lineup:
Robert Majd – bass
Fredrik Vahlgren – vocals
Daniel Krakowski – guitar
Vinnie Strömberg – drums
- First Impressions
• I thankfully came across this band while looking for something new to listen to and this was perfect. The song that caught me was Moment of Truth from their 2022 album Neon Sunrise, and this was a nice find, it really had an 80s feel with the synthesizer and their rhythm. - The Sound
• The sound of this album is quite upbeat and energetic, and everything just seamlessly blends together in the composure of the songs
• The production of the album wraps around you, this will be great to stick your headphones on and just let each of the songs just wash over you and keep you energised. - Favorite Moments
• What I like in this album is the little synthesizer breakdowns, it compliments the sound of the album perfectly, but a song in this album that caught me off guard was Piece of Paradise, it was very melodic, no sign of the drums until a minute in and a beautiful guitar solo after two and a half minutes. This specific song feels like it would be in an early 80s romance movie flashback. - Comparisons & Influences
• I honestly don’t have any comparisons for this band because to me they can’t be compared, their sound is just so unique but for influences I would say that to me their guitar, drums, and synth all feels very 80s as I have mentioned a few times I would even say their composition, and vocals feels like its influenced by Journey. - Any Downsides?
• For my downsides I don’t really have any, there is only 1 track that didn’t really land for me and that was Chasing Rainbows, everyone has one song in an album that they would skip and for me this was it, I really cant put my finger on what it is but even still 9 amazing songs out of a 10 track album is incredible work. - Final Take and Rating
• My final take of the Captain Black Beard album Chasing Danger is that my first complete listen through I didn’t think it would be for me but I like to say they have heavily grew on me, I would put this on if I needed a little motivation or maybe in the gym, I feel like they will become a new part of ever expanding likes playlist and since we all love the metal bands that Sweden produce I would definitely recommend giving them a listen. This in my books gets a solid 9 / 10, its a high rating but its justified, there’s nothing I would change on their album, it was enjoyable the whole way through.