Group "Europe" (Europe). World famous group "Europe" Europe music group

Peter Olson
Marcel Jacob
Tony Renaud
Key Marcello

Story

1979 - 1992: First period

Europe was founded in 1979 in Stockholm under the name Force; its first lineup included Joey Tempest, John Norum, Peter Olsson and Tony Reno. However, at first they were unable to build their careers, because... the record companies they sent their demos to required them to cut their hair and sing in Swedish instead of English. This led to the departure of Olsson, who was later replaced by Marcel Jakob. However, after three months Olsson returned, not getting along with the new group.

In 1982, thanks to Tempest's girlfriend, the group entered the Rock-SM competition, where they performed for the first time under the name Europe and won; Joey Tempest and John Norum received individual awards for Best Vocalist and Best Guitarist, respectively, and the band received a contract with Hot Records. The band took its new name from one of the Deep Purple albums. The group's debut album of the same name was released in 1983. The album did not achieve much commercial success, did not receive any certification and only reached position 8 in the Swedish chart, although the single Seven Doors Hotel reached the Top 10 in Japan. A year later, the second album Wings of Tomorrow followed, which, like the previous one, was not successful, although it attracted the attention of Columbia Records, which offered the group an international contract.

Two years later, in May 1986, the third album The Final Countdown was released, which made the group famous throughout the world. The album was produced by Epic Records. It reached the top ten on 12 charts and received four certifications. Allmusic's Doug Stone called the album "one of the most exciting and remarkable albums ever made." The song of the same name became an international hit. However, following its release, John Norum decided to leave the band, disillusioned with the dominance of synthesizers in production. Key Marcello was invited to take his place.

One year later, the album Out of This World was released, which repeated the success of its predecessor, took positions in 12 charts, and received five certifications. Prisoners in Paradise was released three years later, went gold in Sweden and entered 6 charts.

In 1992, the group broke up, although formally it was positioned as a break; vocalist Joey Tempest pursued a solo career, and the remaining members took part in other projects. The band's contract with Epic Records was terminated.

1998 - present time: Renaissance

In 1999, the members of Europe teamed up for a short period of time to perform at a concert in Stockholm with the songs "The Final Countdown" and "Rock the Night". After 4 years, an official statement was published in the press that the group had reunited and was working on a new album. The band reunited with the lineup from The Final Countdown, with John Norum officially returning to the band as sole lead guitarist. Joey Tempest stated in an interview that they wanted him back for a long time. Another reason was that Key Marcello was too busy with his own projects and was not interested in playing in the Europe style.

On September 22, 2004, a new disc, Start from the Dark, was released; on the same day John Norum became a father. The album sold 600,000 copies, but achieved nothing other than positions in four charts. Joey Tempest called the album the band's re-debut, modernizing their sound and changing genres. Just like The Final Countdown, it was produced by Kevin Elson. Two years later, Secret Society was released, reaching five charts.

Last Look at Eden, released in 2009, hit 6 charts, received gold status in Sweden, and was approved by a critic from Allmusic. In 2012, the album Bag of Bones was released. It was a success compared to its predecessors, reaching 10 charts and going gold in Sweden. On March 2, 2015, the tenth studio album, War of Kings, was released and entered the Swedish charts at number two.

Discography

• Europe (1983)
• Wings of Tomorrow (1984)
• The Final Countdown (1986)
• Out of This World (1988)
• Prisoners in Paradise (1991)
• Start from the Dark (2004)
• Secret Society (2006)
• Last Look at Eden (2009)
• Bag of Bones (2012)
• War of Kings (2015)

Composition of the group

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An excerpt characterizing Europe (group)

“Mon cher Boris, [Dear Boris,”] said Princess Anna Mikhailovna to her son when Countess Rostova’s carriage, in which they were sitting, drove along the straw-covered street and drove into the wide courtyard of Count Kirill Vladimirovich Bezukhy. “Mon cher Boris,” said the mother, pulling her hand out from under her old coat and with a timid and affectionate movement placing it on her son’s hand, “be gentle, be attentive.” Count Kirill Vladimirovich is still your godfather, and your future fate depends on him. Remember this, mon cher, be as sweet as you know how to be...
“If I had known that anything other than humiliation would come out of this...” the son answered coldly. “But I promised you and I’m doing this for you.”
Despite the fact that someone’s carriage was standing at the entrance, the doorman, looking at the mother and son (who, without ordering to report themselves, directly entered the glass vestibule between two rows of statues in the niches), looking significantly at the old cloak, asked who they wanted whatever, the princesses or the count, and, having learned that the count, said that their Lordships are worse off now and their Lordships do not receive anyone.
“We can leave,” the son said in French.
- Mon ami! [My friend!] - said the mother in a pleading voice, again touching her son’s hand, as if this touch could calm or excite him.
Boris fell silent and, without taking off his overcoat, looked questioningly at his mother.
“Darling,” Anna Mikhailovna said in a gentle voice, turning to the doorman, “I know that Count Kirill Vladimirovich is very ill... that’s why I came... I’m a relative... I won’t bother you, dear... But I just need to see Prince Vasily Sergeevich: because he is standing here. Report back, please.
The doorman sullenly pulled the string upward and turned away.
“Princess Drubetskaya to Prince Vasily Sergeevich,” he shouted to a waiter in stockings, shoes and a tailcoat who had run down from above and was looking out from under the ledge of the stairs.
The mother smoothed out the folds of her dyed silk dress, looked into the solid Venetian mirror in the wall and walked briskly up the staircase carpet in her worn-out shoes.
“Mon cher, voue m"avez promis, [My friend, you promised me,” she turned again to the Son, exciting him with the touch of her hand.
The son, with lowered eyes, calmly followed her.
They entered the hall, from which one door led to the chambers allocated to Prince Vasily.
While the mother and son, going out into the middle of the room, intended to ask for directions from the old waiter who jumped up at their entrance, a bronze handle turned at one of the doors and Prince Vasily in a velvet fur coat, with one star, in a homely manner, came out, seeing off the handsome black-haired a man. This man was the famous St. Petersburg doctor Lorrain.
“C"est donc positif? [So, is this true?] - said the prince.
“Mon prince, “errare humanum est”, mais... [Prince, it is human nature to make mistakes.] - answered the doctor, gracing and pronouncing Latin words in a French accent.
– C"est bien, c"est bien... [Okay, okay...]
Noticing Anna Mikhailovna and her son, Prince Vasily dismissed the doctor with a bow and silently, but with a questioning look, approached them. The son noticed how suddenly deep sorrow was expressed in his mother's eyes, and smiled slightly.
- Yes, in what sad circumstances did we have to see each other, Prince... Well, what about our dear patient? - she said, as if not noticing the cold, insulting gaze directed at her.
Prince Vasily looked questioningly, to the point of bewilderment, at her, then at Boris. Boris bowed politely. Prince Vasily, without answering the bow, turned to Anna Mikhailovna and answered her question with a movement of his head and lips, which meant the worst hope for the patient.
- Really? - Anna Mikhailovna exclaimed. - Oh, this is terrible! It’s scary to think... This is my son,” she added, pointing to Boris. “He himself wanted to thank you.”
Boris bowed politely again.
- Believe, prince, that a mother’s heart will never forget what you did for us.
“I’m glad that I could do something pleasant for you, my dear Anna Mikhailovna,” said Prince Vasily, straightening his frill and in his gesture and voice showing here, in Moscow, in front of the patronized Anna Mikhailovna, even greater importance than in St. Petersburg, at Annette’s evening Scherer.
“Try to serve well and be worthy,” he added, turning sternly to Boris. - I'm glad... Are you here on vacation? – he dictated in his dispassionate tone.
“I’m waiting for an order, your Excellency, to go to a new destination,” answered Boris, showing neither annoyance at the prince’s harsh tone, nor a desire to engage in conversation, but so calmly and respectfully that the prince looked at him intently.
- Do you live with your mother?
“I live with Countess Rostova,” said Boris, adding again: “Your Excellency.”
“This is the Ilya Rostov who married Nathalie Shinshina,” said Anna Mikhailovna.
“I know, I know,” said Prince Vasily in his monotonous voice. – Je n"ai jamais pu concevoir, comment Nathalieie s"est decidee a epouser cet ours mal – leche l Un personnage completement stupide et ridicule.Et joueur a ce qu"on dit. [I could never understand how Natalie decided to come out marry this dirty bear. A completely stupid and ridiculous person. And a player, too, they say.]
“Mais tres brave homme, mon prince,” Anna Mikhailovna remarked, smiling touchingly, as if she knew that Count Rostov deserved such an opinion, but asked to have pity on the poor old man. – What do the doctors say? - asked the princess, after a short silence and again expressing great sadness on her tear-stained face.
“There is little hope,” said the prince.
“And I really wanted to thank my uncle again for all his good deeds to both me and Bora.” C"est son filleuil, [This is his godson," she added in such a tone, as if this news should have greatly pleased Prince Vasily.
Prince Vasily thought and winced. Anna Mikhailovna realized that he was afraid to find in her a rival in the will of Count Bezukhy. She hastened to reassure him.
“If it weren’t for my true love and devotion to my uncle,” she said, pronouncing this word with particular confidence and carelessness: “I know his character, noble, direct, but he has only the princesses with him... They are still young...” She bowed her head and she added in a whisper: “Did he fulfill his last duty, prince?” How precious are these last minutes! After all, it can’t be worse; it needs to be cooked if it is that bad. We women, Prince,” she smiled tenderly, “always know how to say these things.” It is necessary to see him. No matter how hard it was for me, I was already used to suffering.
The prince apparently understood, and understood, as he did at the evening at Annette Scherer’s, that it was difficult to get rid of Anna Mikhailovna.
“Wouldn’t this meeting be difficult for him, here Anna Mikhailovna,” he said. - Let's wait until evening, the doctors promised a crisis.
“But you can’t wait, Prince, at these moments.” Pensez, il va du salut de son ame... Ah! c"est terrible, les devoirs d"un chretien... [Think, it’s about saving his soul! Oh! this is terrible, the duty of a Christian...]

The band's history begins in 1980 with the meeting of two school friends: vocalist Joakim Larsson and guitarist John Norum. The guys who had previously played in different groups are planning to create a new group. They take on John's good buddy, drummer Tony Niemisto, and bass player John Levene, with whom Joakim was on Yngwie Malmsteen's team. The new group was called Force. Special... Read all

The band's history begins in 1980 with the meeting of two school friends: vocalist Joakim Larsson and guitarist John Norum. The guys who had previously played in different groups are planning to create a new group. They take on John's good buddy, drummer Tony Niemisto, and bass player John Levene, with whom Joakim was on Yngwie Malmsteen's team. The new group was called Force. They were not particularly successful, but played from time to time in various local clubs.

Meanwhile, in 1982, the guys decide to try their hand at the Young Talents competition held in Stockholm, especially since the winner receives the right to record an album as a prize. But to avoid any misunderstandings with groups similar in name, Force is renamed Europe. At the same time, Joakim felt that his first and last names did not meet general standards, that is, they were difficult to pronounce and remember, and changed them to Joey Tempest, and drummer Tony simply changed his last name to Reno.

They made a demo record with their own money, but the band members, dissatisfied with their work, refused to send the record, but Joakim’s girlfriend had her own way and secretly sent their record to the organizing committee.

Of all the participants, the judges chose Europe and invited them to perform in front of the public with their songs. The concert was broadcast throughout Sweden, it was a huge success, and the recording company immediately provided Europe with the promised prize.

The guys worked diligently, and in February 1983 an album of the same name with the group was released. It was nothing special: hard rock music, fairly simple melodies and simple lyrics. But there was one mystical thing called “Seven doors hotel”, inspired by the horror film “Beyond”. This song immediately attracted the attention of a Japanese journalist, and it was soon released in Japan as a single. "Seven doors hotel" became a hit in Europe at the time, and they went on their first tour to Scandinavia and then to Japan.

Then Europe begins work on the next album, and in 1984 “Wings of tomorrow” is released. The group grew noticeably on it. Clearer rhythm, melodic music. Songs such as "Scream of anger", "Open your heart", "Stormwind" immediately became hits. Everything was going well, but then a small problem arose with the lineup: Tony Reno decides to leave the group, since, according to other musicians, he is less technical and does not meet their level. His replacement was Jan Haugland, who also took part with his group in the competition won by Europe. Ian knew roughly the band's repertoire, and therefore quickly adapted.

The band also takes on fifth member Mick Michel on keyboards, as Joey found it very difficult to sing and play at the same time. The guys were already getting ready to record a new album, but then TV people appeared on their way, asking them to write music for the film "On the loose". In addition to the song of the same name from the film, the soundtrack also included the first version of "Rock the night".

Also in 1985, Europe took part in the Swedish Metal Aid project, where, together with other lesser-known Swedish bands, the song “Give a helping hand” was recorded.

Joey also produces the debut album of Tone Norum "One Of A Kind" (John's younger sister), in which he himself performed a duet with her on the song "Can't You Stay", and her brother John, Mick and Ian performed all the parts on the recording. But let's return to the group. And already in 1986, the third album "The final countdown" was released. It was a real breakthrough, a sensation in the world of music. The composition of the same name with the album became a worldwide hit, taking first place in the charts in many countries. Thanks to this song Europe achieved worldwide popularity and fame. They were considered the number 1 group at that time. The guys were shocked, because no other Swedish group, with the exception of the legendary ABBA, had ever managed to reach such heights!

And Europe decides to go on a world tour. Through the countries of Europe and Asia, and most importantly to America, the dream country of all musicians.

But then another serious problem stands in their way: John Norum leaves the group! He had several reasons for this. Firstly, John really did not like the softening and pop sound that the keyboards acquired with the arrival of Mick. Secondly, he was unhappy that the group was popular, but did not have a penny from it, since the manager and producer took almost all the money for themselves. And yet, John wanted to write music along with everyone else, but the producer simply put forward all the ideas except Joey (when selecting material for the Final countdown, the emphasis was placed on his songs). Norum tried to explain all this to the others, but they simply ignored him. Nevertheless, the guys persuaded John to remain in the group until a worthy replacement was found. And a replacement was found as quickly as possible, and it was Kii Marcello, who had previously played in another very famous band in Scandinavia, Easy Action, with whom Joey became friends a long time ago. He immediately received a call, and soon Kii became a new member of the team. Meanwhile, John is delving into his solo career.

And finally, in 1987, Europe went on a long-awaited tour, first playing in his native Sweden. After traveling all over Europe, playing sold-out shows in Japan and touring the United States, the band enters the studio.

In 1988 the next album "Out of this world" was released. Of course, it was not as successful as the previous one, but it was received very well by fans, and in Sweden it reached platinum status within 24 hours. It featured hits such as "Superstitious", "Let the good times rock" and an improved version of "Open your heart".

This was followed by more tours with Def Leppard, and in 1989 with Bon Jovi and Skid Row.

Europe also performs repeatedly in various clubs, where hits from the latest album and some new songs are performed: “Sweet love child”, “Yesterday’s news”, “Long time comin”, “Little bit of lovin” - written for the next album and are distinguished by a heavier sound compared to the others created earlier. Of course, there was no question of performing in clubs under my own name, otherwise the fans would simply destroy everything, and Europe, especially for such performances, changed its name to Le baron boys. The new compositions were met with a bang, and the guys, inspired by this mood of the fans, were already going to record a fifth album, but the fans are one thing, but the recording company is completely different. She was very unhappy with such a sharp increase in weight and insisted on recording a couple more "pop" songs. I had to add a few ballads, and the fifth album "Prisoners in Paradise" was released in 1991. This was followed by more tours with Metallica, Thunder, Tesla.

To the slight disappointment of fans, many compositions were not included on the fifth album. Then in 1993, to the delight of fans, they released a “new” album: “1982-1992”. Actually, there was nothing new there, but only the best songs from all the albums were collected and some compositions from “Le baron boys” were included.

It would seem that everything was going as well as possible, the fans were delighted, waiting for new creations, and Europe was already heading into the studio to record the next album, when suddenly Joey announced that the group would temporarily interrupt its existence! He explained this by saying that, firstly, they had conflicts with the recording company, secondly, everything was spoiled by the manager’s rash and incompetent steps, and finally, all the musicians of the group had no time to take care of their personal lives. But on the other hand, Joey in every possible way denied rumors about the breakup of the group, insisting that as soon as the opportunity presented itself, they would work together again. Joey recorded three solo albums, meanwhile also singing on one of the songs on Norum's second album. Leven, Mick and Ian participate in the projects of Glenn Hughes (who also worked with Norum on recordings and concerts) and participating in Kotzev's Brazen Abbot project. Kii has released two solo albums under the name K2. In general, the guys did not lose sight of each other, but they were destined to meet on stage only in 1999. They were invited to play several songs right on New Year's Eve. After some hesitation, the guys agreed. Especially for this occasion they recorded a new version of their worldwide hit "The final countdown 2000".

The fans' delight knew no bounds when at 23.45, in the last minutes of the outgoing millennium, Europe took to the floating stage opposite the royal palace, and, to the delight of the fans, the group had two guitarists at once: John Norum and Kii Marcello. The first chords of The final countdown sounded, and then the musicians played Rock the night. The concert was broadcast throughout the world and raised hopes for the reunification of Europe. And they justified themselves. Four years later, the group gathers in the studio where, acting as both producer and musicians, they begin recording a new album. Meanwhile, performing for the first time since 1986 with the classic line-up: Tempest, Norum, Leven, Mikaelli, Haugland at the Swedish festival Sweden Rock and releasing a compilation of videos on DVD and a collection of the best things + several rare and concert songs on CD called Rock The Night. In the fall of 2004, the group released its first album after 13 years of silence, which is gloomily but promisingly called Start From The Dark. This time the group presents 12 powerful, real rock songs composed mainly by the Tempest-Norum tandem, and some of them amaze with unusual heaviness. Films two promotional videos for the songs Got To Have Faith and Hero. The group is actively beginning to return to concert venues around the world and finally even gets to Moscow and St. Petersburg, where they perform a retrospective of songs from old albums, but also interspersing a good half of the new album being promoted. The group spends all of 2005 and part of 2006 performing, but by the spring of 2006 they begin recording and in September release a new album, Secret Society. It sounds less harsh than the previous one and is already more seriously produced, but the group clearly follows the course chosen on the previous disc. This is real powerful rock. The group, as before, immediately plunges into a busy touring schedule and, instilling hope among Russian fans, once again includes performances in Moscow and at the St. Petersburg rock festival as headliners. Also visiting countries such as Romania and Albania, where we had never been before. A video for the undisputed hit Always The Pretender is being filmed and a single is being released.

At the beginning of 2008, the group gave an acoustic concert in Nallen, Sweden, which everyone could see online on the club’s page. In addition to classics from old and new repertoire, Europe performed standards from Led Zeppelin, UFO, Pink Floyd and favorites Thin Lizzy.

On May 21, 2008, John Norum's wife Michelle Meldraum, known for her participation in the hard rock formation Phantom Blue and her own project Meldraum, dies of cancer and in memory of her this concert is released under the name Almost Unplugged. The group is actively writing songs. In August 2009, first an EP was released, which included two new songs, three live tracks and a new video for the song of the same name Last Look At Eden, which amazed with the unexpected symphonic arrangement and power, and on September 24th the full album was released called Last Look At Eden in three versions at once, regular, limited with two live bonus tracks and extra-limited with 7-inch vinyl on which two live tracks were also recorded, one in Paris and the other in Tokyo during the 2005 tour . The disc was also personally signed by all the musicians. A month later, the album reached number one on the charts in his native Sweden, number 31 in Germany and number 37 in Italy. In the spirit, over time, an online single for the song New Love In Town will be released and a video for it will be filmed. The band goes on tour, and meanwhile John Norum once again decides to please his fans with a solo album, the first since 2005, which was released under the name Playyard Blues on May 17, 2010. The band is currently on tour, but promises to please with its new album in next year.

In 1979, in Stockholm, young guitarist John Norum and vocalist Joey Tempest created the rock band Force. They made their first recording in Upplands Väsby, inviting drummer Tony Reno and bassist Peter Olsson. Having recorded and sent demo versions of their performance to different record companies, they received the same answer from everywhere: cut your long hair first and start singing in Swedish.

Group "Europe"

In 1982, the group recorded a demo record at their own expense, and the girl from the backing vocals, Joakima Larsson, secretly provided the recording to the organizing committee of the Swedish rock talent competition Rock-SM. They are invited to this competition, where the band performs two songs "The King Will Return" and "In the Future to Come", the band takes first place, Joey Tempest was awarded as the best vocalist, and John Norum received the prize for the best guitarist. The group changes its name to "Europe".

Europe Group, Sweden

The group released their debut album the following year; it was received very well by critics and the public. It included the song "Seven Doors Hotel" of a mystical nature, which the Japanese journalist liked. Soon it was released as a single in Japan, reaching the Top 10. And the entire album took eighth place in the Swedish charts. Then Europe makes its first tour of Scandinavia and Japan.

They released their second album, “Wings of Tomorrow,” in 1984. Some songs from it immediately became hits. And the company “CBS Records” offered the group an international prestigious contract in 1985. In 1985, the group participated in the “Swedish Metal Aid” project, where records the song “Give a helping hand.” In the same year, in September, “Europe” begins recording a new album.

35 rebounds, 1 of them this month

Biography

It all started in 1978, when bassist Peter Olsson, guitarist John Norum and drummer Tony Reno decided to form the band "Force". After some time, they were joined by 14-year-old Joey Tempest, who had just left the Roxanne team. The guys recorded demos and sent them to record companies, but received an answer from everywhere that in order to get a contract they had to cut their hair short and sing in Swedish. In 1981, Olsson left the group, and the vacated position was taken by John Levene, who also worked with Yngwie Malmsteen for some time. The following year, a competition for young rock talents "Rock SM" was held in Sweden, and the organizer of this event and future manager of "Europe" Thomas Erdtman received more than 4,000 demo tapes. Fortunately, Tempest's girlfriend persuaded the guys to record a sampler too. They sketched out five compositions, four of which were later included in the first album "Europe". The guys recorded them, but forgot about them and abandoned them, but the wise girl still found it and sent the tape to the right place. As a result, "Force" won the competition, since Erdtman had long been looking for a team that played in this style. Joey was recognized as the best vocalist, John - one of the best guitarists, and the most important award was the allocation of a budget, even a small one, to record a debut album.

Changing their name to "Europe", the group released an album of the same name in 1983. The disc was warmly received by the public, sold well, and the musicians went on their first tour of their native Sweden. The visiting Japanese also liked the record, and the result was the release of this album in the Land of the Rising Sun. The most popular song in the East turned out to be "Seven Doors Hotel", which made it into the Japanese top ten. The following year, Europe released their second album, Wings Of Tomorrow, which also sold well and received positive reviews.

At the time, Joey Tempest was playing keyboards, but it was somewhat awkward for him to juggle the two duties, especially on stage. As a result, it was decided to take a “pure” keyboard player, which was Mick Michaeli from Avalon. Shortly after this, another change took place: truant Tony Renaud was fired, and Ian Hoagland took over on drums. The composition formed in this way subsequently gained worldwide fame. In parallel with the new tour, "Europe" took part in the youth film "On The Loose", for which Tempest wrote the soundtrack. The most popular songs from this soundtrack were "Rock The Night" and "Broken Dreams". The third album, "The Final Countdown", released in May 1986, brought the group worldwide fame. Delight from critics, crowds of fans, and as a result - over 7 million records sold. In September of the same year, the first world tour of “Europe” started. However, not all was well: the burden of fame weighed heavily on Norum, and besides, his musical tastes ("Scorpions" and "Dokken") diverged from the tastes of the rest of the group, who preferred the style of "Toto" and "Journey". As a result, John left to pursue a solo career, and Key Marcello, who had previously played in the glam rock band "Easy Action", became the new guitarist.

Meanwhile, "The Final Countdown" topped many European charts and even reached number eight on Billboard. After a global world tour that ended at the Rock In Rio festival, Europe began recording a new album. Due to management mistakes in promotion, "Out Of This World" was unable to repeat the success of its predecessor, although it sold two million copies. The team continued to gather crowds of thousands of people, but disagreements with the producer and the soon changing musical climate took their toll.

The "Prisoners In Paradise" disc sold poorly, and after the tour in support of it, the "Europeans" decided to take a break. The holidays lasted more than ten years, and only at the end of 2003 the resumption of activities was announced. The classic line-up of "The Final Countdown" toured the world and released a new album, "Start From The Dark", in 2004. The work had a raw, heavy and detuned sound, but, nevertheless, the compacts sold well, and over time their circulation exceeded half a million. The next studio album was released in 2006, and although “Secret Society” also sounded a little heavy, it had more melody than “Start From The Dark”. Having staged a small experiment with the semi-acoustic concert "Almost Unplugged", the "Europeans" finally returned to their previous sound in the program "Last Look At Eden". The band's musicians described the style of this album as "modern retro rock", and the title track and the ballad "New Love In Town" shed balm on the souls of longtime fans of "Europe". But if “Last Look At Eden” sounded like the Eighties, then on “Bag Of Bones” the band dug even deeper and played classic, blues-infused hard rock a la the 70s. Both records took high places (1st and 2nd, respectively) in the Swedish lists and both reached the gold level of sales.

In 2013, the group played at the Sweden Rock Festival, and its performance was recorded and released in CD, DVD and Blu-Ray formats. Two years later, the band presented the program "War Of Kings", made in a classic sound, taking into account seventies influences and, just like last time, rose to the second step of the chart. At subsequent concerts, the album was performed in its entirety, but since by that time the 30th anniversary of “The Final Countdown” had arrived, in the second part the team also played the legendary album in its entirety. One of these sets was sold out at the London Roundhouse, and in 2017, as a result of this event, a corresponding book was released.