Archive for June, 2023

What better way for a band to celebrate its twentieth anniversary than with a brand new album, and that is exactly what Norwegian Jazz veterans BUSHMAN’S REVENGE are planning to do, courtesy of Is it Jazz? Records.

“All The Better For Seeing You” is the album that will mark this momentous occasion, and it promises to be a memorable ride because with BUSHMAN’S REVENGE all the energy of Rock is given free rein thanks to the band’s Jazz elements.  

With artwork by Per Spjøtvold, track listing for “All The Better For Seeing You” is as follows:

  1. Halvannen Time – an hour and a half, more than enough
  2. Last Cup Of Zorro
  3. Hollowed Be Thy Fame
  4. Stolen From a Blind Monkey
  5. Raptus Norvegicus
  6. Takk For Seg

“All The Better For Seeing You”, which will be BUSHMAN’S REVENGE’s eleventh full-length album,  will be released on the 8th September in CD, Digital and Green Vinyl formats, and is available to pre-order now from:

Bandcamp: https://bushmansrevenge.bandcamp.com/album/all-the-better-for-seeing-you
Webshop: https://isitjazzrecords.no/shop/ **

**  Using the code “bushman” when Pre-ordering “All The Better For Seeing You” through the Is It Jazz? Webshop qualifies you for a  30% discount on all other Is it Jazz? Records releases.

Obviously, in the two decades since its inception in 2003, BUSHMAN’S REVENGE’s lineup of Even Helte Hermansen on Guitar,  Rune Nergaard on  Bass, and Gard Nilssen on Drums, has had ample time to develop a distinctive sound.  It could even be said that, by exploring and experimenting with different sounds and directions, BUSHMAN’S REVENGE has, in fact, created a genre all of its own.

In addition to the ten previously released albums, BUSHMAN’S  REVENGE also has 300+ live performances under its belt, and together these two facts have earned the band a fearsome reputation amongst fans and critics alike, both for its studio output as well as its stage presence.  

And, with the album-led 20th Anniversary celebrations kicking off in earnest, fans will be able to witness for themselves the power of BUSHMAN’S REVENGE on stage when the band hits the road on their 20th Annivarsary “All The Better For Seeing You” Tour.  Routing as follows:

BUSHMAN’S REVENGE 20th ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2023
“All The Better For Seeing You”
30.06: Mandaljazz (NO)
19.08: Blå, Oslojazz (NO) feat; Alexander Hawkins-Organ
19.09: TBA, Bergen (NO)
20.09: Apollon, Bergen (NO)
21.09: Inderøy jazzforum (NO)
22.09: PØKK, Trondheim (NO)
23.09: Munkehaugen, Arendal (NO)
24.09: Union Scene, Drammen (NO)
05.11: Karensminde Kulturhus, Copenhagen (DK) (with Kresten Osgood3)
06.11: TBA, Hamburg (DK)
09.11: Sarajevo Jazzfestival (BA)
10.11: Bimhuis, Amsterdam (NL)
11.11: Rockit, Groningen (NL)
12.11: Comment Dire – Dialograum Kreuzung an Sankt Helena, Bonn (DE)
07.12: Nasjonal Jazzscene, Oslo (NO)

More information about BUSHMAN’S REVENGE can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063543191580

A video of BUSHMAN’S REVENGE’s appearance at 2022’s Cologne Jazzweek can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/lHRbDsu56J4

Additional Information
Bushman’s Revenge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063543191580
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bushmansrevenge/
Band Contact: Gardnilssen@gmail.com 
Is it Jazz? Records
Website:  https://isitjazzrecords.no/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/IsItJazzRecords/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isitjazzrecords/
Contact:  post@isitjazzrecords.no

With a band name like THE CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN (TCOFR for short) and an album with the title “The Songs & Tales of Airoea – Book 1”, your guess would be that you will be stepping into the realms of fantasy. And indeed you would be right, as you will discover on the 15 September when Karisma Records, in tandem with TCOFR’s own label, Old Oak Records, releases the band’s debut album onto an unsuspecting public.

Intrigued?  Well, before delving deeper into the album itself, and the artists behind it, how about listening to a taster to get you into the swing of things, and where better than by heading to your favourite service to download or stream the track “Eleision Forest” from the album which you will find at

https://link.karismarecords.no/The-Chronicles-of-Father-Robin_Eleision-Forest

“Eleision Forest” is a journey of close to 12 minutes and combines the energy  of classic 70’s hard rock, with the earthbound authenticity of folksy and pastoral music, along with the sky-soaring climaxes reminiscent of those you will find on old prog relics in your forefathers collection.

Expect to hear hard rocking guitars, a rhythm section on fire with grooves like Bonham, acoustic soundscapes, lush vocal harmonies of the male and female variety, and a wide array of flutes, organs and mellotrons, all on a track that was chosen by the band itself to act as an introduction to TCOFR.

As TCOFR explains: 

With its roots in a high school lecture on Greek Mythology “Eleision Forest”, was actually the song that started the whole concept back in 1993. And from the dense woodlands of this epic,  the path of Father Robin has meandered its way the length and breadth of Airoea these last 30 years. It seems fitting, therefore that “Eleision Forest” should receive the honour of introducing the band and our album trilogy to the world.

Inspired by the classic bands and albums of the early 1970s progressive music scene, as well as  contemporary bands such as ÄNGLAGÅRD, ANEKDOTEN, WHITE WILLOW and LANDBERK,  TCOFR was formed by WOBBLER frontman Andreas W. S. Prestmo, who was joined by childhood friends Jon and Henrik, with whom Prestmo shared a joint interest in folk tales, mythology, fantasy literature, psychedelia and adventurous music.

The final pieces of the puzzle fell into place with contributions from Thomas Kaldhol (MT. MELODIÉ, THE SAMUEL JACKSON FIVE), Lars Fredrik Frøislie (WOBBLER, IN LINGUA MORTUA, WHITE WILLOW), folksinger Aleksandra Morozova (MT. MELODIE, OSLO PHILHARMONIC CHOIR), Kristoffer Momrak (ALWANZATAR, TUSMØRKE, LES FLEURS DU MAL), Håkon Oftung (JORDSJØ) and illustrator Lars Kvernberg.

As the title suggests,  “The Songs & Tales of Airoea – Book 1”, is the first part of a trilogy set in the land of Airoea, and follows the story of the entity known as Father Robin, a mystical being that embodies all the members of the band. As each member met the challenges in their lives and grew as individuals, so the fantastical story of Father Robin and his travels through Airoea took shape.

The first recording sessions started at Bekk Studios in Jæren,  and the  whole of “The Songs & Tales of Airoea” Trilogy took 13 years to complete. It comprises a total of 16 songs spread out over the three albums.  

“The Songs & Tales of Airoea – Book 1” will be released on Karisma Records in CD, Digital and Black Vinyl versions, whilst Old Oak Records will release a Deluxe Limited Edition coloured triple vinyl box set.  Tracklisting is as follows:

01. Prologue
02. The Tale for Father Robin
03. Eleision Forest
04. Death of the Fair Maiden
05. Twilight Fields
06. Unicorn

“The Songs & Tales of Airoea – Book 1” can be preordered from:

Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/
US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com/
Bandcamp: https://fatherrobin.bandcamp.com/album/the-songs-tales-of-airoea-book-1

More  information about THE CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN can be found on the band’s website www.fatherrobin.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheChroniclesofFatherRobin  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
THE CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN
Website: www.fatherrobin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChroniclesofFatherRobin
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thechroniclesoffatherrobin?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
KARISMA RECORDS
Promo and other information: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records contact: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records Bandcamp: https://karismarecords.bandcamp.com
Karisma Records on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor
Karisma Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarismaRecords
Karisma on SoundCloud:  https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/

Fans eagerly awaiting the release of the debut full-length album from SOLSTEIN, the new project that features in its lineup multi-instrumentalist Jacob Holm-Lupo (WHITE WILLOW, THE OPIUM CARTEl), drummer Keith Carlock (STEELY DAN, TOTO),  guitarist Stian Larsen (MARTE EBERSON, SMITH KOMMA JOHN), and Brynjar Dambo (WHITE WILLOW) on keyboards,  get to hear another track from the album before its 7 July release, courtesy of Is It Jazz? Records who have released a second single from the self-titled album.

Titled “Intersection”, this is what the band had to say about it:

“Intersection” is named for its somewhat busy feel and on it the band is stripped down to its core trio of Larsen on fantastic lead guitar, Carlock on inimitably groovy drums, and Holm-Lupo  anchoring on bass, rhythm guitar and keyboards. It was one of the first tunes written for the album, and one we feel represents the sound of the band well.

“Intersection” is available to download or stream from a variety of services at

https://link.isitjazzrecords.no/Solstein_Intersection

Drawing their inspiration from jazz-rock, funk, prog rock and chill-out, SOLSTEIN’s  musicians are given free rein to do whatever they feel the music needs, as long as it feels right to everyone.  By combining jazz harmony with proggy arrangements and soul/funk grooves SOLSTEIN’s sound is elegant, oscillating, as it does, between funky fusion and rock.

The result is a debut album that is both accessible, whilst at the same time, adventurous.  Colourful  and engaging, it succeeds in mixing  the groovier side of fusion with elements of prog and funk, eschewing the usual 2020s fusion sound for an altogether funkier, more melodic range, that brings artists like THE CRUSADERS, IDRIS MUHAMMED, early BOB JAMES and 70s HERBIE HANCOCK to mind.

“Solstein”  was mixed and given pristine analogue mastering at Holm-Lupo’s Dude Ranch Studio, and with artwork by Martina Wilek, track listing is as follows:

  1. Intersection
  2. Oriental Folk Song
  3. Southwester
  4. The Night Owl
  5. Siriusly
  6. February 9th
  7. The Creeper
  8. Hamada

“Solstein” will be available in CD, Digital and LPC formats and can now be pre-ordered from:

Bandcamp: https://solstein.bandcamp.com/album/solstein
Is it Jazz Records: Webshop: https://isitjazzrecords.no/
Karisma Records Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/

For those curious as to where the name  SOLSTEIN comes from, the word actually means Sunstone, and it refers to  a relatively rare rock containing copper-red crystals, which, when seen from different angles refracts the light in a very beautiful way. The most significant deposits of the rock are found along the southern coast of Norway where Holm-Lupo lives and runs his studio.

More  information about SOLSTEIN can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/solsteinband Additional Information
Solstein
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/solsteinband
Band Contact:  aslanlupo@gmail.com
Is it Jazz? Records
Website:  https://isitjazzrecords.no/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/IsItJazzRecords/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isitjazzrecords/
Contact:  post@isitjazzrecords.no

Photo – Carl Eek Torgersen

It has been thirty years since Hoest, nowadays a figure of near-legendary status on the Norwegian Black Metal scene, brought his one-man project TAAKE to life. Needless to say, lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then: seven full-length albums and a plethora of other releases, as well as a well-earned reputation for electrifying live appearances backed by a live band filled with superlative musicians.

It has been some time since 2017’s “Kong Vinter”, and it is as well to point out that a couple of years after its release, the world was hit by the Pandemic. However, this disaster proved to be a very creative time for Hoest, who was able to produce a significant amount of material, a portion of which is destined to see the light of day on TAAKE’s eighth full-length album. Titled “Et Hav av Avstand” (“A Sea of Distance”), it is set for release on Dark Essence Records on the 1st of September.

Consisting of four songs, with a combined running time of 42 minutes, “Et Hav av Avstand” arguably displays some of Hoest’s finest song writing to date. It is a fierce, but melancholy, piece of work that retains that unique, unfiltered, sense of rawness that is synonymous with Hoest’s sound and charismatic musical identity.

And today, fans will, for the first time, get a taste of the album with the release of the track “Et Uhyre av en Kniv” (“A Beast of a Knife”) which can be downloaded or streamed from a number of services at:

https://link.darkessencerecords.no/Taake_Et-uhyre-av-en-Kniv

Throughout his career Hoest has made sure that TAAKE manages to stay relevant and remain at the forefront of the Black Metal genre, losing none of the unique sound that has drawn legions of fans to the band, but at the same time never allowing that sound to stagnate.

He admitted in a recent, and very rare interview, that over the past few years he had hardly listened to any music. In other words, his recent compositions drew upon no inspiration outside of his own inner thoughts, feelings and reflections.

This has made “Et Hav av Avstand” a vigorously old-school album, appealing on that level to the more traditional listener, but Hoest, who plays every instrument on the album, has ensured that whilst the album is imbued with TAAKE’s unmistakable sound, that sound is, nevertheless, developed further, embracing the tastes of TAAKE’s more recent fans.  

Recorded and produced by Bjørnar Erevik Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES) at his Conclave and Earshot Studios in Bergen, and with front cover photo by Bende Csaba, track listing for “Et Hav av Avstand” is as follows:

  1. Denne forblaaste Ruin av en Bro
  2. Utarmede Gruver
  3. Gid sprakk Vi
  4. Et Uhyre av en Kniv

“Et Hav av Avstand” will be available in CD, Cassette, LP (the first pressing of which will contain an A2 Poster), Ltd Edition White and Transparent LPs (limited to 1000 copies each), and Digital formats.

It can now be pre-ordered from:

Webshops: https://darkessencerecords.no/kar266-taake-et-hav-av-avstand/ 
US Webshop: https://darkessence.indiemerch.com 

Plans are being drawn up for a tour, and in the meantime, TAAKE has been confirmed for the following festival appearances:

05 Aug: Beyond the Gates, Bergen, NO
12 Aug: Alcatraz Festival, Kortrijk, BE
25 Aug: Metal Mine, Sztuki, PL

Photo – Carl Eek Torgersen

More information about TAAKE can be found on the band’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/taakeofficial

The official video for the track “Nordbundet” from the TAAKE album “Noregs Vaapen” can be seen below and at http://youtu.be/OAIIbnrYC7Q

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Taake on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taakeofficial
Taake Bandcamp:  https://taake.bandcamp.com
Taake WebShop: http://svartekunst.bigcartel.com/
Taake Management & Booking: Propulsion Music http://www.propulsionmusic.no/
email: bjornar.erevik.nilsen@gmail.com 
Dark Essence contact: post@karismarecords.no 
Dark Essence Records: www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darkessencerecords
Dark Essence Records Bandcamp:  http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/
Dark Essence Records YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/DarkEssenceRecords
Dark Essence Records Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkessencerecords/
Dark Essence Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarkEssenceRec
Dark Essence SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records
Dark Essence Records Webshop: https://www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence Records North American Webshop:  https://darkessence.indiemerch.com
Dark Essence Records Australian Webshop:  https://www.heavymetalmerchant.com/bands/d/dark-essence-records/

When S.A. Destroyer (aka Svartalv – ex. GEHENNA, SATYRICON) formed NOCTURNAL BREED in 1996 he had two intentions. One was to create a band whose music would be an  homage to the Thrash, Speed and Heavy Metal waves of the 80’s, which he greatly admired.  The other would serve as an antidote to the growing commercialisation of the Black Metal scene in particular, and the metal genre in general, both of which were fast becoming anodyne.

And, in all that time since its creation, NOCTURNAL BREED has remained true to the vision of its founder, something that can clearly be heard on the latest single from the band’s upcoming album “Carry the Beast”

The single, appropriately titled “Thrash Metal Hate Saw (The Last Act of Terror)”  is a riff-laden beast with no fillers or dead spots that would only serve to weaken the hate-filled snarling vocals, the tasteful guitar solos that are performed the way guitar solos ought to be performed,  and the hellish thundering drums.

The whole is dressed in a warm organic sounding mix, that gives the song more feeling and personality,  the NOCTURNAL BREED way of course, thus ensuring that if aggression had a name, it would be “Thrash Metal Hate Saw”.

The track can be streamed or downloaded from a variety of sources at

https://link.darkessencerecords.no/Nocturnal-Breed_Thrash-Metal-Hate-Saw

A lyric video by Temira de Temirin for “Thrash Metal Hate Saw” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/mCZQvxNxALM

If further proof were needed that NOCTURNAL BREED’s current lineup of S.A. Destroyer on Vocals and Bass, T. Terror on Drums and Vocals and I. Maztor on Guitars, has not softened with age, “Carry the Beast” provides it, because the album is a feast of outstanding old-school heavy metal.  It hits the listener like a sledgehammer, and the band seems darker and more aggressive than ever.

With Front Cover & Logo Adaption by Andrej ‘Maggot Meister’ Bartulovic & All Things Rotten., track listing for “Carry the Beast”, which will be the band’s seventh full-length studio album,  is as follows:

  1. Carry the Beast                                                                                
  2. Thrash Metal Hate Saw (The Last Act of Terror)
  3. Knights of Denim
  4. Salt the Wounds
  5. Atomic Cruiser
  6. Raise the Flag…And the Hordes will Follow
  7. Nosferata
  8. Lady Vampire
  9. I Ain’t Marching Anymore
  10. I Felt Nothing (CD bonus track)
  11. Trench Fever (CD bonus track)
  12. Blitzhammer (CD bonus track)

Recorded at the Necrolab Studios and at NOCTURNAL BREED’s private “Bunker Studios”, “Carry the Beast” will be available in CD, Digital, Vinyl and Limited Edition Transparent Red vinyl, as well as on Cassette, on the 23rd of June, and can now be pre-ordered from the following:

BandCamp: https://nocturnalbreedofficial.bandcamp.com/album/carry-the-beast
Webshop: https://darkessencerecords.no/shop/
US Webshop: https://darkessence.indiemerch.com/

A lyric video by Temira de Temirin for the previously released single “Knights of Denim” from “Carry the Beast” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/3dJGaIbZSkQ

More information about NOCTURNAL BRED can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Thrashiac777NocturnalBreed

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thrashiac777NocturnalBreed
YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/777VIRUSLORD777
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nocturnal_breed_official/
Email: cmachine777@gmail.com
Dark Essence contact: post@karismarecords.no 
Dark Essence Records: www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darkessencerecords
Dark Essence Records Bandcamp:  http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/
Dark Essence Records YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/DarkEssenceRecords
Dark Essence Records Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkessencerecords/
Dark Essence Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarkEssenceRec
Dark Essence SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records
Dark Essence Records Webshop: https://www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence Records North American Webshop:  https://darkessence.indiemerch.com
Dark Essence Records Australian Webshop:  https://www.heavymetalmerchant.com/bands/d/dark-essence-records/

TUSMØRKE ‘s last three concept-based releases delighted the legion of young music fans at which they were aimed (as well as a sizeable portion of grownups too). But now, the prolific Norwegian Psychedelic Prog Folk Rockers are back again, ready to unleash their anarchic brand of music on their adult fans with an eleventh full-length album titled “Hestehoven” that is definitely not for the faint hearted.

With “Hestehoven” TUSMØRKE have created a strange Fairyland where Satyrs and Nymphs indulge in brazen Bacchanals, and the unwary stranger is sucked into chance encounters with mildew-encrusted adult magazines that can be found carefully stashed away in the shrubs, and which are nothing short of erotic mysteries reminiscent of ancient fertility cults.

It is a world from which there is no turning back once you step on that wretched path that is fraught with danger and temptation.  Warlocks cackle and witches blush,  and a wise priest, who can see beyond the Lord’s Prayer, binds Old Eric to his bidding.

Due out on the 18th of August, fans have been given a first glimpse into the “Mysteries” of the album with the release of the track “The Cycle of the Gylfaginning”, about which the band says:

As it begins, so it will end; from destruction new creations arise. In the turning wheel of  the seasons, all things take their turn again and again, take after take after take. There is no final take. After Ragnarok, life rolls on. Like the cycle of vegetation, Osiris, Balder or Jesus disappear to reappear. At the bottom of religion there is recycling.

“The Cycle of the Gylfaginning” can be streamed or downloaded from a variety of sources at

https://link.karismarecords.no/Tusmorke_Cycle-of-the-Gylfaginning

Named after the flower Coltsfoot “Hestehoven” is an album that seems to spring from the Underworld both in sound, with its chthonic aspects, as well as in its conceptual undertones,  allowing the listeners to hum along as they witness a devil’s pact whilst peering through the keyhole of the local church. Or maybe rock out whilst riding a dog backwards, all the way to the witches’ Sabbath.

The artwork for “Hestehoven” has been specially commissioned from the highly acclaimed Norwegian artist Sverre Malling, and the track listing is as follows:

  1. Cycle of the Gylfaginning
  2. Hestehoven
  3. Den behornede guden
  4. Åndemaneren
  5. Jeg klumser deg
  6. Kyprianos
  7. The Wicked Ways of Witches and Wizards

“Hestehoven” will be available in CD, Digital and Limited Edition Vinyl with 4 page Lyric Booklet  formats and can now be pre-ordered from:

Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/kar254-tusmorke-hestehoven/ 
Bandcamp: https://tusm-rke.bandcamp.com/album/hestehoven
US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com 

Life is never just sunshine and rainbows with  TUSMØRKE, whose name means twilight in Norwegian, and it is never more true than with “Hestehoven”.  However, what is true is that the band got it right when they say that the album is:

True Norwegian finger-clicking, butt-swinging. prog rock. No more, no less – but cerebral in excess! Spring has sprung! If it is all too much to bear, close your eyes and think about the flowers. Hail Pan.

More information about TUSMØRKE can be found on the band’s Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/Tusmorke/

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/Tusmorke/
Bandcamp:  https://tusm-rke.bandcamp.com  
Band contact: tusmorke.booking@gmail.com
Promo and other information: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor
Karisma on SoundCloud:  https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records
Karisma Records on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karismarecords/
Karisma Records Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com
Karisma Records BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/music