Blind Leading The Blind is the new album out now from Sweet Freedom, via Frontiers Music Srl. Also available now, the Swedish band’s latest single, ‘Innocent Child’.
Jörgen Schelander commented on the new track: “Sweden has faced serious problems with deadly shootings in recent years. That’s what the lyrics are about. Some very young kids see no other way out, or they don’t realise the consequences of their actions”.
“You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to write a great song. Big rock anthems are timeless, and ‘Innocent Child’ is the living proof. It was the final track we wrote for the album, but it summarises its core. Classic rock with a progressive twist!”, he added.
Talking about the record, he stated: “This album is a blast of classic rock. Close your eyes and listen all the way through Blind Leading The Blind – and you’ll come out blind no more… Maybe just a little deaf! The energy we captured, especially with Stefan Boman’s production, is something rare these days.”
Sweet Freedom began as a solo project by Schelander during the pandemic, and was born from a clear artistic vision and DIY spirit that had long been brewing in his mind. Their debut album, initially released with no promotion, gained some surprising attention — even landing coverage in Sweden Rock Magazine as one of the year’s top releases. By late 2022, the band evolved from a solo project to a full lineup under the name Sweet Freedom, reminiscent of how Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow became simply Rainbow.
New album, Blind Leading The Blind, sees the return of the same core lineup, but with one notable change: powerhouse vocalist Matti Alfonzetti (Skintrade, Jagged Edge) steps in as frontman, replacing Stefan Nyqvist. Together, Sweet Freedom forms a Swedish supergroup: Schelander having performed all keyboards on the 2024 touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar (featuring Daniel Gildenlöw of Pain Of Salvation), Jan Lund (Bass), and Håkan Rangemo (Drums) previously played in Sabbtail alongside Mats Levén and Fredrik Åkesson of Opeth, the band completed by guitarist Håkan Nilsson.
The new album is a ten song collection of massive classic rock with a progressive twist and was recorded live as a full band at Tilt Recording Studios in Strömstad, Sweden – an intentional move to capture the raw energy and chemistry that can only happen when a real band plays together in the same room. That energy, combined with a massive-sounding mix and master by Stefan Boman (Opeth, Alice Cooper, Def Leppard), results in a huge, dynamic rock production.
Regarding the second single released from the album, Schelander commented, by saying: “Sweet Freedom is about being free, but “Another Day” is about the opposite, the suffocating feeling of not being free. These days, we all know where in the world that is, and we all must use our voice (our vote) to change it. This track is a true classic rock anthem, and Matti really shows what an amazing singer he is”.
The first single and official video from the long player was ‘Live From The Heart’, Schelander commenting “’Live From The Heart’ hits you hard – you just want to sing along and dance. The voice of Matti Alfonzetti fits this track like a hand in glove, and you really can’t go wrong with big choruses, cool rhythms, and both guitar and organ solos”.
Tracks featured are: ‘Infinity’, Tears Of The Sun’, ‘Another Day’, ‘Skin And Bone’, Innocent Child’, ‘Live From The Heart’, ‘Skeleton Key’, ‘Solid Ground’, ‘I Push Too Hard’ and ‘Outcry’ – It can be ordered here.
