Biography »

The Salva-project had been the brain-child of Per for many years but it didn't become a reality until 2003 when he, Johan and Stefan decided to form the band. As a three-piece with Per handling the bass-playing, drum programming and percussion in addition to his regular instrument arsenal they started recording what was to become their debut album.

"A handful of earth" was released on Perand KB Records in the autumn of 2004 and instantly started getting very favorable reviews throughout the prog rock community. Distribution deals were soon struck with Caerllysi Music in the UK, Progress Records in Sweden and Big Balloon Music in the US and sales took off from there.

In 2005 the three decided it was time to start working on their second album. The initial plan from the start was for Salva to be a "full band" which resulted in the quest for a permanent drummer and a permanent bass player. They didn't have to look far. Johan's younger brother, Fredrik is a gifted bassplayer who had been playing with Johan, Stefan and Per in other constellations and drummer Lasse is an old school friend whos musical path has crossed the others several times as well. They both agreed to join the band and work began on what was to become "Left to burn".

The writing, once again mostly done by Per but with occasional musical assistance from Stefan, went pretty smoothly but the recording sessions proved to be quite tormenting. With tons of technical problems and several changes in studio locations and recording technicians the band decided to finish the recordings on their own in their own studios.

"Left to burn" was finally released in July of 2007 to great critical acclaim. The album saw Salva becoming more mature in sound and composistion, exploring their symphonic side even more than on the debut. In hindsight, the technical problems of the recordings did take it's toll on the overall sound of the mix which might not have reached the standard of the band's high ambitions. The song material on the album however is pure Salva quality.

Although the writing of Salva's third album started almost immediately after "Left to burn" had been released, it was to take 4 years until the follow up, "Thirst", would see the light of day. This had nothing to do with writers block, recording difficulties or general laziness though. The reason for this was that "grown-up life" came in the way in form of marriages, children, houses, pets and Volvo's. ;-)

Finally, as we enter September 2011, "Thirst" is ready to be released and the band truly hopes that their supporters are still out there because this record is by a large stretch the best they have ever done.

As always, it's very hard to put labels on music, especially when looking at it from "the inside", but the closest would probably be to describe Salva's music as symphonic hard rock with occasional folk tendencies and maybe a splash of jazz once in a while. The focus of Salva's music is always on melody first and foremost but they are certainly no strangers to technical flash or hard riffing if the moment is right.

Call it prog rock, call it neo prog, call it hard rock...hell, call it muzak...at the end of the day we just hope you will call it "good music".

To judge for yourself, please click the media-thumbnail above.