The Swedish progressive rock masters are back! With `The Rainmaker` The Flower Kings have released their sixth studio album. More than 75 minutes of music can be found on this disc, music that can sometimes be difficult to digest.
If you`re familiar with The Flower Kings, you will know that it takes a couple of listens before you can really get into them. With `The Rainmaker`, it isn`t any different, although I felt it was easier than their previous records. Hans Froberg has developed his voice even more and it shows on the new release. His clean vocals, which remind me at times of Jon Anderson by the legendary Yes (a big inspiration for The Flower Kings) are more present on `The Rainmaker`. The change between his lead vocals and the lead vocals of mainman Roine Stolt are pleasant and they follow into beautiful vocal harmonies. Stolt has a more of a `talking` voice, which is part of the reason why The Flower Kings can be difficult getting into.

Both Froberg and Stolt are also responsible for the guitars. Where Froberg takes duty on the accoustic guitars, Stolt shows his diverse talents on the lead guitar, playing amazing solo`s throughout the album. The Flower Kings isn`t complete without keyboardist Tomas Bodin. I don`t know how he does it, but the sounds he gets from his keyboard are amazing. Definitely one of the best keyboard players out there. `The Rainmaker` also marks the second studio album for newcomer Jonas Reingold on the bassguitars. He appears to play everything with ease. Whether it`s jazz, rock or metal (the last genre can`t hardly be found with The Flower Kings) he can do it.

On their last tour he seemed to really enjoy playing with The Flower Kings and he could play the older stuff without any problems. Whereas Reingold recently joined The Flower Kings, there is also someone who leaves the band. Drummer Jaime Salazar decided to leave the band to work on other projects. He still plays the drums on `The Rainmaker`, but he will be replaced on the tour with Hungarian drummer Zoltan Csorsz. One of the reasons why Salazar left is because he didn`t felt that prog rock was his kind of music to play. Pretty strange considering the things he does with The Flower Kings. His drumkicks are fast and his drumming fitted the music so well. Just like the older albums, his work on The Rainmaker is brilliant and he won`t be easily forgotten.

Overall, `The Rainmaker` is another great piece of work by The Flower Kings and it doesn`t disappoint one bit. They will start the tour in September in America, followed by a European tour in October. Stolt will be keeping himself busy by performing live with his project Transatlantic. Transatlantic exists of drummer Mike Portnoy of prog gods Dream Theater, bassist Pete Trewavas of Marillion and keyboard player Neal Morse of Spock`s Beard. Three bands that are highly regarded in the prog scene. It`s no surprise that Stolt of the Flower Kings is a part of that, since with `The Rainmaker`, The Flower Kings definitely belong to the top of prog rock bands.