Review: Alien – When Yesterday Comes Around
Pride & Joy Music (March 21st, 2025)
Reviewer: Chris O’Connor
Sweden’s Alien has long stood as one of the finest torchbearers of AOR, delivering anthemic, emotionally charged melodic rock with unwavering finesse. With ‘When Yesterday Comes Around’, the band proves once again why they are revered within the genre. The trio of Jim Jidhed (vocals), Tony Borg (guitars), and Toby Tarrach (drums) remains intact, now joined by Jimmy Wandroph (keyboards) and Ken Sandin (bass, Swedish Erotica), crafting a record that is nothing short of spectacular.
From the opening moments of ‘In The End We Fall’, Alien wastes no time setting the tone. A dramatic, fast-paced rocker brimming with energy, it showcases Jidhed’s soaring vocals—conjuring his inner Steve Perry—while Borg’s blistering guitar solo elevates the track to anthemic heights. ‘If Love Is War’ follows, a more measured, almost Pomp-Rock offering that thrives on its powerful chorus and another stunning lead from Borg.
Momentum surges once more with ‘Aiming High’, a barnstorming, fist-in-the-air anthem built around a massive chorus and yet another electrifying solo. Then comes ‘Strange Way’, an AOR masterclass where lush keyboards and restrained yet impactful riffing set the stage for a colossal chorus, with Borg delivering beautifully understated guitar work.
‘We Are Living’ transports listeners straight to the golden age of ‘80s rock, channelling the spirit of Rainbow and Europe with one of the album’s most instantly accessible hooks. Meanwhile, ‘I Belong’ gallops ahead, an up-tempo rocker with a soaring chorus and yet another breathtaking solo from Borg.
Slowing things down, ‘I Remember’ opens with a delicate, almost classical piano intro from Wandroph before blossoming into an anthemic Journey-esque power ballad. Jidhed’s evocative vocals shine, while Borg’s lead work—clearly influenced by Neal Schon—soars alongside Tarrach’s commanding drumming.
With ‘Signs’, Alien delivers a foot-stomping, mid-paced rocker featuring an instantly memorable chorus, while Borg’s incendiary soloing and Wandroph’s Hammond flourishes pay homage to the late great Jon Lord. ‘Fall In My Arms’ harks back to the band’s debut, its classic Alien DNA ensuring it will be a live favourite, driven by yet another stellar chorus and mesmerizing lead guitar.
‘Coming Home’ slows the pace again, its deliberate, atmospheric build recalling the grandeur of classic Pomp Rock. Jidhed’s impassioned vocal performance is complemented by a powerful chorus and a beautifully intricate, Ritchie Blackmore-inspired solo from Borg. As the album nears its conclusion, ‘Hearts On Fire’ reignites the energy, its Journey-esque DNA evident in both the soaring vocals and intricate instrumentation. A colossal chorus and Borg’s fiery fretwork make this another standout moment.
Then, the title track offers a final emotional crescendo—an elegant, mid-paced ballad, its delicate atmosphere and heartfelt vocal delivery leaving a lasting impression, punctuated by Borg’s sublime, emotive soloing. Closing out the journey, ‘Awareness’ serves as a short but potent instrumental outro, allowing Borg’s talents to take centre stage one final time. Echoing the grandeur of Rainbow’s ‘Rising’, it’s a fitting and powerful conclusion to an album that refuses to falter.
With ‘When Yesterday Comes Around’, Alien has delivered everything fans could hope for and more. Whether your passion lies in AOR, Melodic Rock, Pomp Rock, or even classic Heavy Rock, this album has something for you. The songwriting is impeccable, the musicianship outstanding, the arrangements rich, and the production nothing short of stellar. Without question, this is one of the finest releases of the year. Welcome back, Alien—you’ve outdone yourselves once again.
Tracklist:
- In The End We Fall
- Love Is War
- Aiming High
- Strange Way
- We Are Living
- I Belong
- I Remember
- Signs
- Fall In My Arms
- Coming Home
- Hearts On Fire
- When Yesterday Comes Around
- Awareness (Outro)
Line-up:
Jim Jidhed – Vocals
Tony Borg – Guitars
Toby Tarrach – Drums
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