| Musical Style: Hard Music | Produced By: Peter Carlsohn |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: Sweden |
| Year Released: 2026 | Artist Website: Peter Carlsohn |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 35:57 |
It’s bluesy guitar vestiges and seventies inspired organ says classic rock, but the April of 2026 sophomore album Raising The Roof from Peter Carlsohn’s The Rise is surprisingly heavy, particularly in comparison to the more laid back but very fine 2020 debut Out Of The Blue. Outside of that, the project of the current Jerusalem bassist, whose time with the group traces to 1982 third album Warrior, ups its songwriting to extent Raising The Roof defines with its catchy riffs, inspired melodies and inseparable hooks. It equates to a work in which while I find some songs better than others presents with no skip buttons or filler tracks and that is just plain fun in which to listen.
No small role in such regard pertains to manner in which artist carries over the same ‘all star’ caliber line up from Out Of The Blue in that returning are drummer Michael Ulvsgärd (Jerusalem), keyboardist Svenne Jansson (Golden Resurrection), guitarists Stephen Carlson (Chakra) and Lars Carlsohn and co-lead vocalist Cutta John Kåre Gullestad (Cutta, Crush & Heartless). Carlsohn, whom has also worked with XT, The Rise and Rune Edvardsen & Red Band, maintains his skillful bass presence alongside his signature warm and rich mid-ranged vocal abilities.
Album opens strongly to “It’s Your Time Now”, an elevated hard rocker racing to headlong guitar and muscular bass floating over a scintillating Hammond B3 founding. True to form, the group emanates of unequivocal hooks, which further elevates the silky smooth vocal melodies to prevail. I see this one sounding at home on 2025 latest Jerusalem album Stitches. Lyric snippet:
It is time to let go of the old
that holds you down
It is time for a change
Time to move on
You are never alone
Watch out
It’s Your time now
Sing loud
God’s on my side
“Glorious Life” ensues as up-tempo manifest, bursting of vim and energy in approaching from a melodic rock meets AOR standpoint as opposed to straight on hard rock. Refrain, nonetheless, proves no less catchy with its enticing radio friendly appeal. Lone complaint is that song fades out a bit abruptly at just over three minutes.
“Fight The Fear” returns to a heavier direction. Song powers its span with guitar the focal point, anthem like with its militant vestiges and arena rock inspired melody but also grainy as shuffling blues vestiges make periodic appearances. Vocal melodies inspire with an angelic flair skirting the symphonic. Lyric snippet:
Fight my fear, the voice inside
There’s a war in my mind
Dark as night, worries around
Hold my heart, stand the ground
Free my mind
Free my soul
Fight the fear inside
Love and hope
Faith over fear
“Raising The Roof” reveals a laid back and relaxed bluesy mentality. Albums title track gradually courses its length to earthy guitars and complementary soulful vocals, the gritty manifesting allowing refrain to walk a fine line between the refined and sober-sided. I love how organ and slide guitar carry things instrumentally.
One of albums slowest and most reserved, “Angel Eye” trends an AOR manifesting in drifting to delicate guitars and dignified bass. Wistful harmonies and reticent melodies allowing a commercial aspect lend to the songs value. Yes, somewhat lighter guitar wise and correspondingly not among my favorites, but it is solid all the same. Lyric snippet:
With a touch of your hand
Give me Your beautiful smile
When You whisper my name
You make me happy inside
Like the wind, like the air
Like a breeze, you are all around
Let us find our way
Let me take Your hand
“Living My Life” entices as a three-minute energy explosion. With industrious guitars and aspiring low end leading the way, song shines to Gullestad’s raspy middle register vocals and another hook outpouring of the gripping variety. Carlsohn proves himself a bluesy guitar soloist of no small ability.
Second three-minute cut, “Wild Thing” bounces and courses as provocatively catchy guitars and electrifying melodies also speak of a commercial entwining. Yet, an understated high-energy inspiration builds upon the indelible contexture that refuses to depart with repeat play. Lone downturn is that this represents one of several cuts I wish the group extended a bit. Lyric snippet:
You captured my heart
At the very first sight
You reached to my soul
Like a gift from above
You lift me up
Move my soul
Touch my heart
You are my wild thing
Slow and driving hard rocker “Red Alert” revels in the blues, invigorated with its lush Hammond B3 and moody backing vocals hinting of Pink Floyd. Animated and perseverant at the same time, song shines with a stalwart refrain embodying the unyielding themes at hand. There is a bit of mid-period Bride to this one.
“Surrender” lightens with its tasteful acoustic nuances. Song gives prominence to the ballad like, referencing crystalline piano and melody warm and inviting as anything here. The tastefully seasoned guitar accents a Mark Knopfler like Dire Straights flair. Melody is warm and inviting as anything here. Lyric snippet:
I lay my life down
I sing my heart out
I let go, go of the old
You are my safe place
You are my hide out
I have found what I’m looking for
I surrender
I’m surrounded by Your love
“Wonderchild” reaches for the eerie and melancholic with its elevated piano and swirling vocal melodies. Vocals allow a softer touch and timekeeping of Ulvsgärd a stalwart manifesting. Similar to “Angel Eye”, not a favorite in that I wish things ended on a heavier note but by no means filler or skip worthy.
Hard music fans whose tastes range from blues to classic rock to hard rock are certain to find Peter Carlsohn’s The Rise sophomore album Raising The Roof of interest. It brings needed ingredients in form of earthy guitar, laid back organ and vocals ranging from classic tenor to mid-ranged to accent albums top material, which is innate to the needed catchy riffs and melodies to entice with repeat listen. Overall, I find the group taking the next needed step when compared to what is already a very fine debut in Out Of The Blue. I look forward to hearing more from Peter Carlsohn’s The Rise in the future.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “It’s Your Time Now” (4:22), “Glorious Life” (3:16), “Fight The Fear” (3:43), “Raising The Roof” (3:52), “Angel Eye” (3:34), “Living My Life” (3:11), “Wild Thing” (3:19), “Red Alert” (3:33), “Surrender” (4:07), “Wonderchild” (2:58)
Musicians
Peter Carlsohn - Lead Vocals & Bass
Cutta John Kare Gullestad – Co-Lead Vocals & Backing Vocals
Stephen Carlson - Lead Guitar
Lars Carlsohn - Guitar
Svenne Jansson - Keyboards & Hammond Organ
Michael Ulsvgard - Drums
Irene Sandtorv - Backing Vocals
