Swedish rock titans EUROPE ignited the stage at Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo on Wednesday, September 30th, commencing their highly anticipated European tour. This extensive run of shows is dedicated to celebrating the monumental 40th anniversary of their seminal third album, "The Final Countdown." The opening night in the United Kingdom set a powerful precedent for the tour, treating fans to a meticulously crafted setlist that paid homage to their illustrious past while showcasing their enduring musical prowess.
The evening’s performance, meticulously documented by Setlist.fm, featured a compelling blend of fan favorites and deep cuts, demonstrating the band’s extensive catalog. The concert commenced with the live debut of "Scandinavian Eyes," a track that immediately signaled the band’s intention to explore beyond their most universally recognized hits. This was followed by a robust rendition of "Walk The Earth," showcasing the band’s continued commitment to their more recent material and their ability to captivate audiences with their contemporary sound. The early part of the set also included anthemic tracks such as "Superstitious," "One On One," "Last Look At Eden," "War Of Kings," "Prisoners In Paradise," "The Cult Of Ignorance," and "On Broken Wings," each met with fervent applause and singalongs from the enthusiastic Scottish crowd.
The centerpiece of the concert, however, was the full performance of the "The Final Countdown" album in its entirety. This section of the show represented a deep dive into the album that propelled EUROPE to global superstardom. The band delivered classics like "Rock The Night," the poignant ballad "Carrie," and the driving "Danger On The Track." The lesser-played but equally compelling tracks such as "Ninja," "Cherokee," "Time Has Come," and "Heart Of Stone" were given a new lease of life, reminding attendees of the album’s cohesive artistic vision. The set culminated in a thunderous rendition of "On The Loose," "Love Chaser," and, of course, the iconic title track, "The Final Countdown," which brought the audience to their feet in a euphoric crescendo. Fan-filmed video footage from the Glasgow show has since circulated online, offering glimpses of the electric atmosphere and the band’s dynamic stage presence.
The Enduring Legacy of "The Final Countdown"
In a recent candid interview with Barry Robinson for Classic Album Review, EUROPE vocalist Joey Tempest addressed the often-asked question about the band’s relationship with their most famous song, "The Final Countdown." The track, an undeniable global phenomenon that has transcended generations, has a unique standing in the band’s history. Tempest described it as having "its own life and lives out there," acknowledging that while the band members themselves do not actively listen to the song in their private lives, their connection to it is deeply rooted in live performance.
"It’s a strange relationship [we have with that song]," Tempest admitted. "It has its own life and lives out there. And we don’t listen to it privately at home. I asked the [other] guys [in EUROPE] the other day, actually, ‘So, do you mind playing it?’ No, they all love playing it live. So the relationship we have with that song is with the audience in the live setting. So therefore the relationship to the song is okay. We actually enjoy playing it live. Listening to it at home, no."
Tempest elaborated on the song’s pervasive presence, noting its use in various approved contexts, from advertising to sporting events. He shared a heartwarming anecdote about his father’s pride when the song was associated with Formula One racing, highlighting the personal significance it held beyond its commercial success. The fact that the London Symphony Orchestra recorded their own rendition further underscored the song’s cultural impact, a detail that clearly resonated with Tempest and his family.
The vocalist emphasized the unifying power of "The Final Countdown" in a live setting, regardless of the audience demographic. "It doesn’t matter if we play a family festival in Denmark or a heavy metal festival in Germany, people give us energy back, and we give energy with that song. And people gravitate towards the stage, and it is a great song live. It is fantastic." This sentiment underscores the song’s ability to act as a powerful connector between the band and their fans, transcending its initial commercial intent.
Reflections on Artistic Evolution
When prompted to offer advice to his younger self during the creation of "The Final Countdown" album forty years prior, Tempest reflected on the natural evolution of an artist. He acknowledged the temptation to critique past creative decisions but ultimately embraced a philosophy of doing the best one can at any given moment with the available knowledge and resources.
"As an artist, well, it’s difficult because you evolve over so many years," Tempest stated. "’Cause if I was nitpicky, I would start thinking, ‘Why did you write that? Why didn’t you write that lyric line instead, and why didn’t you change that?’ Whereas today I would’ve changed it. But I’ve always had the philosophy that you do the best you can at the time with what you’ve got, with the knowledge you’ve got."
He revealed that revisiting the album’s material for rehearsals had been an enjoyable experience, with certain tracks like "Time Has Come" and "Love Chaser" standing out for their renewed appeal. His most significant piece of advice to his younger self, however, was centered on managing the overwhelming success that followed the album.
"What advice [would I give myself]? I don’t know. I would just say to all younger selves to relax a bit. [Don’t take things so] seriously," Tempest advised. "Because we became so big with that third album that I had sort of become so serious: ‘We have to do the next one. We have to concentrate.’ Today I would say, ‘Relax a little bit. It’s okay.’" This insight provides a fascinating perspective on the pressures of sudden global fame and the importance of maintaining balance.
A Digital Phenomenon and Chart Dominance
The enduring cultural significance of "The Final Countdown" is further underscored by its digital footprint. In 2022, the music video for the song surpassed an astounding one billion views on YouTube, a testament to its continued relevance and appeal across different generations. The iconic clip, directed by Nick Morris and uploaded in October 2009, primarily features footage from two EUROPE concerts at Solnahallen in Solna, Sweden, on May 26 and May 27, 1986, augmented with behind-the-scenes material from soundchecks.
Released in 1986 as the lead single from the album of the same name, "The Final Countdown" became an unprecedented global hit. It soared to the number one position in an astonishing 25 countries, including a significant chart-topping performance in the United Kingdom. In the United States, the song achieved a respectable No. 8 peak on the Billboard Hot 100 and landed at No. 18 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Its commercial success was further solidified by a gold certification in the United Kingdom in 1986.
Looking back eight years ago, Tempest shared his perspective with Australia’s Wall Of Sound regarding the song’s unexpected trajectory. He revealed that while the core ideas for the song had been with him since high school, and a one-minute demo existed, its initial conception was not as a chart-topping single.
"It is a good question," Tempest responded when asked if he knew "The Final Countdown" would be a smash. "I did the demo at home with this song and we had the ideas for it for so long. It was a one-minute demo since high school for me. On the third album, we decided to record the song and we were talking about writing around this main keyboard riff. Initially, it was really a soundtrack-type song and not a hit single, and I guess this was good for it. I remember playing the demo for the guys and they really saw the song so strong and it built from there. [But] no, we never knew that this was going to be such a big hit. We opened the album and the tour with this song, but we really thought this was not the one to be the initial single." This admission highlights the serendipitous nature of musical success and how artistic intent can sometimes diverge from public reception.
"The Final Countdown" Album in Context
Despite the overwhelming success of its title track, Tempest views "The Final Countdown" album within a broader artistic context. He described it as "one of our strongest albums and it was one of the albums that stands out; it opened up a lot of doors for the band." He also acknowledged the raw, perhaps more naive, strength of their earlier work, such as "Wings Of Tomorrow." However, Tempest expressed a personal conviction that the band’s most artistically accomplished work has emerged in recent years.
"But personally, I think we have done better albums, especially in the last [few] years," he stated. "The three last albums are our strongest, but obviously it was something that belonged in that era and something so important to our career and history." This perspective speaks to a band that has not rested on its laurels but has continued to evolve and mature creatively.
A New Chapter: "Come This Madness"
Adding a contemporary dimension to the anniversary tour, EUROPE also released their latest studio album, "Come This Madness," on September 25th via Silver Lining Music. The LP, recorded at RMV Studio in Stockholm, a facility co-founded by Benny Andersson, features notable guest appearances from Tobias Forge of GHOST and Mikael Åkerfeldt of OPETH. The album was produced by acclaimed producer Tom Dalgety, known for his work with GHOST, Rammstein, and Pixies, who played a pivotal role in shaping the album’s sonic identity. The final touches were applied by legendary recording engineer Mike Fraser, whose impressive credits include work with AC/DC, Van Halen, and Metallica, ensuring a polished and powerful final product. This new material signifies that while EUROPE is celebrating its storied past, they are equally focused on creating compelling new music for the future.
The "The Final Countdown" 40th Anniversary European Tour promises to be a significant event for rock music enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive retrospective of an album that defined a generation and a band that continues to deliver exceptional performances. The tour’s commencement in Glasgow serves as a powerful reminder of EUROPE’s enduring appeal and their unwavering dedication to their craft.
