40 years of Disney the Danish way

It began in 1984 with a unique style of rock’n’roll musikjournos quickly named “cow punk”. The style was created by three aspiring youngsters, who met in the local skateboard club. One of them had a sincere wish to show some former band mates, that they were wrong to kick him out. So along with his girlfriend and two other good friends he formed Disneyland After Dark. The rest is history!

Yes, we are still alive here

This year bassist Stig Pedersen, his friend, guitarist and singer Jesper Binzer, and the latter’s younger brother Jacob celebrate their 40-years anniversary together. They do so with an extensive anniversary tour, an almost endless array of memorable hits… and their 13th studio album. What a blast!

Though many things have changed since the simple beginnings – most remarkably the 1999 departure of co-funding member, drummer Peter L. Jensen – a central part of Disneyland After Dark has remained the same. First and foremost, the four-man outfit has always been about creating a party together with the fans.

The band’s style has also always revolved around a combination of melody, idiomatic lyrics and some high octane rock guitars, and their brand new album “Speed of Darkness” is no exception… although…

Toons turned into Scandinavian rock’n’roll legends

Two very significant things have changed though. First, a US-based cartoon factory apparently found the four suburban Danes to be such a threat, that they felt the need to force the quartet to change their band name. So in 1989 the name turned to D-A-D, thus avoiding a legal battle with some wealthy “princesses” in watercolors.

Fast forward 10 years, the quartet had to say farewell to co-founder, Peter L. Jensen, who chose his family and a career as an engineer over life on the road. It was also a farewell to the rather playful comic cartoon impersonations of the band members, often acting out in the videos.

Shortly after, young prodigy Laust Sonne joined the band, and paradoxically the band suddenly appeared far more mature and self-confident. Two years later the first full studio album with Sonne at the drums was released, and to many critics “Everything Glows” still ranks as one of the band’s best to date.

The new old D-A-D was founded.

Speed of Darkness marks another high

It doesn’t take long to locate a few clear pointers listening to D-A-D’s 13th installation. “Speed of Darkness” literally is full of neat goodies as well as some truly spectacular highs.

The album opener with its rather philosophical title, “God Prays To Man“, is a veritable rock’n’roll classic, pushing all the finest glam buttons. As is the follow-up, the Thin Lizzy-like “1st, 2nd & 3rd“, displaying a whole set of guitars so slick and awesome this writer had to stand up to finish it.

And by the time the layered riffs of Jacob Binzers guitar rang through my headphones in “The Ghost“, this writer surrendered. Flat down on the floor. Listening to the song a couple of times, I believe this could end up being one of D-A-D’s most iconic rock ballads… And we’re only at track 3.

Several things comes across as positive surprises with “Speed of Darkness”. Most evidently, the distinct and well-dosed guitar riffs and solos almost strategically sprinkled across the entire collective works. As one critic correctly pointed out on national radio (DR Radio):

“I don’t think I recall Cobber’s (Jacob) guitar ever sounding this good“.

The critic is not wrong. However, a number of things seems to have fallen into place with this well-balanced production.

Back to roots – then forward

In a couple of the band’s earlier albums, the quartet went for a more metal-like arc. This forced lead singer Jesper Binzer into a combination of strained register and excessive volume that seemed to skew his otherwise impressive vocal; especially when the band played live.

D-A-D has since returned to their hallmark; solid yet melodic hard rock. This suits Binzer’s lead far better and it also opens a window for backing vocals and harmonic vocal work in general, what the band masters just fine. In fact, it suits the band extremely well.

It becomes abundantly clear in the obvious festival crowd-pleaser “Keep That Mother Down“. Everything in this composition seems to have been magically written as one. Everything fits together like clockwork. Not a pick, not a kick, not a splash is out of place. It really is a piece of rock’n’roll art.

Coherence makes four sound like five

Praising only ‘Cobber’ for his guitar work on this album is perhaps appropriate – though not entirely fair. Reading the lyrics and following front man, Jesper Binzer, while he sings, it becomes clear, that the seasoned songwriter utilizes his arsenal of song-writing tools along with his entire life experience to convey the world as he sees it.

“All we ever want is automatic survival
By the time life starts we’re dead on arrival
See the longest lines of souls with their eyes closed
And all they ever want is automatic survival”

The song “Automatic Survival” is easy to interpret as a raised finger (or fist) at complacency and laziness in regards to making an active stand for democracy and against populist politicians, promising you blissful ignorance if you just vote for them. At the same time, it could also just be a song about a relationship that is caught in a deadlock… of complacency. Either way -> Thank you, Jesper!

In the track “Everything Is Gone Now” it is drummer Laust Sonne’s turn to shine. At first it may sound like ‘just another rock song’. But, hit repeat a couple of times. I’ll be looking forward to see Sonne pull this power outlet live during the upcoming tour.

Though utterly different in feel and touch, Sonne’s skills also shines in “Head Over Heels” – another elegant ballad full of gorgeous guitar work. But in truth it is Sonne’s drums and Stig Pedersen’s wholesome bass that carries this elegant piece home. Bravo!

All but positive recommendations

As mentioned earlier, everything in this installment seems to thatch together. The coherence throughout this album is what moves it from the category “great” to the category “brilliant“.

The Danish reviewers seems to agree. The leading music magazine “Gaffa” gave the album 4-of-6 stars. The morning tabloid “Ekstrabladet” followed suite, whereas the metal magazine “Heavymetal.dk” granted it 8-of-10. The online report “GFR” even made a call-out for Roskilde Festival to put D-A-D back on the legendary ‘Orange Stage’ – once the stage of The Rolling Stones.

Were I to award stars for “Speed of Darkness” it would be a rock solid 5 of 6. Four for the songs altogether and one for the coherent adventure. Thank you Stig, Jesper, Jacob and Laust.

D-A-D – “Speed of Darkness” (released: 4 October 2024)