EUROPE – Come This Madness

It only took almost nine years, but better late than never! Swedish hard rock band Europe is back with its 12th studio album, Come This Madness, which has an album cover that resembles the Scorpions’ Blackout (1982) album cover. Being the follow-up to Walk the Earth (2017), the album came out on September 25, 2026, through Silver Lining Music / Hell & Back Recordings. Recorded at RMV Studio in Stockholm, Sweden, Come This Madness was produced by Tom Dalgety and mixed by Mike Fraser. Before diving into the music, it’s worth mentioning that Joey Tempest still looks great for his age. It can be argued that there are a handful of other rock legends from the ‘80s who have maintained their appearance gracefully as well, but Tempest really looks good for his age. When Def Leppard were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, Brian May recalls Joe Elliott telling him that the secrets to being in a successful rock group are to “not get fat and keep your hair.” Those tips are not only crucial for boybands, but for all bands, period!

Worth the Wait

The lineup that plays on Come This Madness includes Tempest on lead vocals, John Norum on guitars, John Levén on bass guitar, Mic Michaeli on keyboards, and Ian Haughland on drums. It’s a bit disappointing that “Hold Your Head Up,” the single Europe released in 2023 dedicated to Tempest’s father, is not included on the album because it is a banging track with an uplifting spirit and wouldn’t have been totally out of place on the album. Despite that, the songs that did make the final cut are really good and worth praising. “One on One” is a banging album opener with a killer hook and a fantastic groove. The music video is creepy and doesn’t entirely fit the song, but it does in a bizarre way. Questionable music video aside, “One on One” is excellent!

“The Cult of Ignorance” starts with big synthesizers before transitioning into a rocking track that’s a lot of fun, despite the brutally honest lyrics. The chorus is catchy, the hook is magnificent, and the instrumentation is heavy, yet melodic and pleasing to the ears. With the song’s clever use of synthesizers, it’s a blend of old school and new school. With an oozingly delicious guitar riff and an incredible feel, the title track is funky as heck! There’s confidence and swagger to the track as the band is basically saying, “bring on the chaos!” “This Time of Year” is a melancholic and reflective ballad with gorgeous melodies, and Tempest pours his heart into the vocals.

“Takin’ It Back” is an excellent “driving down the highway” song with a steady backbeat, bright melodies, tasteful guitar work, and a positive message that encourages listeners to regain control of their lives. “In the Absence of Grace” and “The Angels Must Have Flown” are a perfect pair that can never be separated. The former is an orchestral, piano instrumental that highlights Tempest’s vocals and transitions beautifully into “The Angels Must Have Flown.” The latter is a dark and menacing headbanger that depicts loneliness and despair.

Final Assessment

Was Come This Madness worth the wait? Yes, it was! The themes centered on the album are very fitting for the present time with AI taking over, the struggle to make ends meet, and people pitted against each other over politics. While not entirely happy, the band squeezes in glimmers of hope that there’s still good in the world. Sonically, the album sounds fantastic, and everyone was given their chance to shine. Musically, the band hasn’t lost its touch and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. For those who are interested, give Europe’s Come This Madness a chance!

Album Tracklist

1. One on One
2. The Cult of Ignorance
3. Come This Madness
4. This Time of Year
5. In a Different World
6. Scandinavian Eyes
7. Takin’ It Back
8. In the Absence of Grace
9. The Angels Must Have Flown
10. The Devil’s Back
11. Nothing Can Follow This

Band Lineup

Joey Tempest – lead vocals
John Norum – guitars
John Levén – bass guitar
Mic Michaeli – keyboards
Ian Haughland – drums

Check out the video montage for the title track from Europe’s Come This Madness album!