Archive for October, 2024

DETAILS OF UPCOMING ALBUM AND NEW SINGLE FROM NORWEGIAN ROCKERS WIZRD REVEALED

Posted: October 25, 2024 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Since its formation WIZRD has proved itself to be a band that is happy to colour outside any  genre-defining lines, pushing boundaries and effortlessly blending the more interesting aspects of genres that range from rock and indie to jazz and prog.

And on their upcoming sophomore full-length album “Elements” WIZRD have dived deeper into uncharted musical waters—experimenting with new styles, fresh melodic directions, and both extended and condensed song structures, all the while introducing Norwegian lyrics.

Whilst “Elements” itself is set for release on the 6th December, Karisma Records have today released a double single taken from the album.  The single, which comprises the tracks  “National Day” and “Eternity’s Breath”,  and with artwork by Maja Markegård,  can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at:

https://orcd.co/nationalday

WIZRD explained something of the process that went into recording “National Day”:

“National Day” was a song that came together very quickly. Karl came up with the riff, and while we were jamming on it, I came up with the melody line. We wanted to push ourselves a little and see how “little” is needed to make a song. After all, we are prog fans, and happy with lots of different parts, but here we tried to see how we could rather vary a relatively short idea and get a song out of it. It basically went very well, but in the end we couldn’t quite help ourselves, and added the slightly extended solo part. A little three-minute adventure!

By contrast, “Eternity’s Breath” is a totally different beast, not an original, but a cover, and fans of the MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA will immediately recognise the title.  Indeed, WIZRD cite the legendary New Yorkers as one of the great inspirations behind their own music:

One of our favourite bands and greatest sources of inspiration is the Mahavishnu Orchestra. We have had a few concert nights in Oslo where we have had one set of our own songs, and one set of Mahavishnu covers. In particular, we have played a lot of the songs from the album “Visions of the Emerald Beyond”, so this time it was only natural for us to include a Mahavishnu song in the recording process. Eternity’s Breath is one of our favourite songs, it’s an insanely fun song to play. Joining the team this time we also got Rohey Taalah and Nadia Warholm Essahli on vocals, and that lifts it to astronomical heights. We hope the result gives you a real kick!
 
“Elements” itself was recorded at the legendary Athletic Sound studio in Halden, and the ambiance both within the studio, and within the city itself, left an indelible mark on the album, which, though eclectic, could not be anything other than WIZRD, whose distinctive sound is cohesive and unified.

Co-produced, recorded, and mixed by Dag Erik Johansen alongside the band, WIZRD are keen to stress that his contribution was vital to shaping the final sound of “Elements”. Working closely together this formidable team has created an album that feels organic yet unpredictable. With a mix of carefully crafted and spontaneous elements, it is clear that every decision that was taken in the making of the album influenced its outcome. Change  one single thing and “Elements” would have been something entirely different.

With album cover art by Steph Hope and layout by Maja Markegård,  and featuring additional vocals by Sara Fjeldvær, Rohey Taalah, Rikke Normann & Nadia Warholm Essahli, “Elements” will be released in CD, Digital and Limited Edition Red Vinyl formats, and is now available to pre-order from:

Bandcamp:  wizrd.bandcamp.com
WebShop: karismarecords.no/shop
US Webshop: karismarecords.indiemerch.com

Rrack listing for “Elements” is as follows:

  1. GT, Me & My 6610
  2. Mesmerized
  3. The Void
  4. Fylkesvei 33
  5. National Day
  6. You’re Exposed!
  7. !!!
  8. Fire & Flames
  9. Kaleidoskop


WIZRD was formed when Hallvard Gaardløs (SPIDERGAWD, DRAKEN) on bass and lead vocals, Karl Bjorå (MEGALODON COLLECTIVE) on guitar and vocals, Vegard Lien Bjerkan (SOFT FFOG) on keyboards and vocals, and Axel Skalstad (KROKOFANT, SOFT FFOG) on drums attended the Jazz Conservatory in Trondheim. Together, they form a diverse and dynamic unit marked by a fearless creativity.

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

A video of WIZRD in the studio, rehearsing the track “All Is As It Should Be”, from their 2022 album “Seasons”, by Norwegian film score composer and JAGA JAZZIST drummer Martin Horntveth,  can be seen at below and at https://youtu.be/kzP2VOduRCU?si=QSgNFb2L9X_VMWnw   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
WIZRD
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/WIZRDTHEBAND/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/wizrdtheband/
BandCamp: https://wizrd.bandcamp.com/
Band Contact:  hallvardgaardlos@hotmail.com
KARISMA RECORDS
Promo and other information: 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 Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/karismarecords/
Karisma Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarismaRecords
Karisma on SoundCloud:  https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records
Karisma Records Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no
Karisma Records US Webshop:  https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com

DEBUT ALBUM FROM PROG ROCKERS SEVEN IMPALE SET FOR VINYL RE-RELEASE

Posted: October 18, 2024 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Ten years after its original release, Karisma Records is set to re-release a vinyl version of “City of the Sun”, the critically acclaimed debut full-length album from Norwegian Prog Rockers SEVEN IMPALE, which has long-been sold out.

Whilst “City of the Sun” is firmly based on classic progressive rock, SEVEN IMPALE’s use of elements usually found within the Metal genre, along with the inclusion of a Saxophone amongst their instruments,  is the perfect illustration of how unafraid SEVEN IMPALE is to veer away from what one would normally expect from a Progressive Rock band.  The resultant sound is, as you may expect, is not only much harder but it also contains a plethora of jazzy elements, thus appealing to a wider audience.

Commenting on the album itself, SEVEN IMPALE had this to say:

The process of making “City of the Sun” all those years ago put all seven of us into a rather confined space, recording it the good old-fashioned way. Not a click track or grid in sight! It was a sweaty, intimate experience that seems to have been the recipe for.. sweaty, intimate and jazzy prog rock..!

We can confirm that  recording and assembling “City of the Sun” was a valuable learning experience for us as a band, and we are forever thankful for the friendship we formed, and have since built upon, with our producer Iver Sandøy.  Iver will always be that “missing” seventh impala, and we will, without hesitation, return to Solslottet for the golden touches of the Sun King Himself.

 Set for release on the 29th November, the Tenth Anniversary edition of “City of the Sun” will be available as a Limited Edition LP in Solar Flare Vinyl, and  will include an insert sheet with the albums lyrics along with comments from both the band, and ENSLAVED’s Ivar Bjørnson.

It is now available to pre-order from:

Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/
US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com

Featuring its original artwork, track listing for “City Of The Sun” as follows:

1. Oh, My Gravity!                
2. Windshears                                      
3. Eschaton Horo                                 
4. Extraction          
5. God Left Us for a Black-Dressed Woman

Formed in Bergen, Norway in 2010, and featuring members from ENSLAVED, CLOUD PEOPLE, TROJKA and more,  SEVEN IMPALE’s lineup consists of Stian Økland on vocals and guitars, Fredrik Mekki Widerøe on drums, Benjamin Mekki Widerøe on sax, Tormod Fosso on bass, Erlend Vottvik Olsen on guitar and Håkon Vinje on keyboards.

It is a lineup that encompasses a diversity of musical disciplines ranging from classical orchestra to big band, metal to jazz and rock to electronic, SEVEN IMPALE have fused all their experience and influences and created a sound that is uniquely theirs. 

A video of SEVEN IMPALE playing the track “God Left Us for a Black-Dressed Woman” from “City of Sin” live at Festival Prog-Resiste in 2016 can be seen at https://youtu.be/254U6S0YO1U?si=4J1R88FWx-aJgkor

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SEVEN IMPALE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sevenimpale
Website: https://sevenimpale.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevenimpale
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/56h6oZFC4GnKgMA3WQtj35
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/sevenimpale
Twitter: https://x.com/sevenimpale
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/sevenimpale
KARISMA RECORDS
Band Contact: sevenimpale@gmail.com
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: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/
Karisma Records US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com

DETAILS OF THE FOURTH OF SIX RELEASES FROM THE BACK CATALOGUE OF PROG LEGENDS WHITE WILLOW REVEALED

Posted: October 18, 2024 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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WHITE WILLOW fans can look forward to a special Christmas treat this year when Karisma Records releases another album from its planned re-issue of the entire back catalogue of the legendary Norwegian Prog Rock pioneers.

This time it is the band’s fourth full-length album “Storm Season”, which was originally released in 2004 and was the first WHITE WILLOW album to sell over 10,000 copies.  Compared to their earlier releases, it marked a bold musical shift for WHITE WILLOW,  taking, as it does, a heavier, more metallic direction.  Blending their classical Prog and Folk Rock roots with a heavier, more streamlined side, “Storm Season” stands as WHITE WILLOWS’ most direct and impactful musical statement to date.

It is also very aptly named, because “Storm Season” was created in the chaotic epicenter of a perfect storm and reflected both the turbulence within the band itself, and of the world around them.   

Indeed, the intensity of the music would nearly tear apart the band, leading to the departure of Sylvia Erichsen who had been their vocalist for several years.  And yet, it was from this very turmoil that a breakthrough would emerge, as guitarist and bandleader Jacob Holm-Lupo explains:

We wanted to create an album that felt like a storm—a reflection of the turmoil in the world with climate change and political unrest, and also within our own lives.

This re-release of “Storm Season” has been meticulously remastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo himself, breathing new life into the album

Although “Storm Season had previously been released in LP format in 2015,  that version featured an alternative cover and has long since sold out, whilst this is the first vinyl release to feature the iconic original cover art.

Set for release on the 13 December, “Storm Season” will be available as a Limited Edition LP in Stormy Marble Vinyl, as well as in CD format.  It can now be pre-ordered from:

Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/
Bandcamp: https://whitewillow.bandcamp.com/album/storm-season-remaster
US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com

Track listing for “Storm Season” is as follows:

CD
1. Chemical Sunset
2. Sally Left
3. Endless Science
4. Soulburn
5. Insomnia
6. Storm Season
7. Nightside of Eden

LP
1. Chemical Sunset
2. Sally Left
3. Soulburn
4. Endless Science
5. Insomnia
6. Storm Season
7. Nightside of Eden

WHITE WILLOW was formed in 1992 by guitarist Jacob Holm-Lupo, who at that time was a member of the POLICE/BRUCE HORNSBY-inspired pop band THE ORCHID GARDEN, and keyboard player Jan Tariq Rahman from local jazz-rock/prog rock band DUGGVÅTE DVE.

It was a case of two musicians coming together see if they had any kind of songwriting chemistry, and, whilst sitting on the floor playing acoustic guitar and clavinet, produced the track “Snowfall” which convinced them that they could, indeed, come up with something worthwhile.

WHITE WILLOW’s history, however, was never simple, with members having come and gone over the years  and only Holm-Lupo having remained with the band since its inception, whilst WOBBLER’s Lars Fredrik Frøislie has been a mainstay since 2001.

The band’s  sound too has undergone changes, but it’s safe to say that it is frequently centered around female vocals and an expanded instrumentation that usually includes a host of analogue synthesizers, mellotron, woodwinds and strings, in addition, of course, to traditional rock instrumentation.

Now, exclusively a studio project, WHITE WILLOW is noted for featuring guest appearances from prominent musicians such as  Norway’s guitar hero Hedvig Mollestad, or internationally renowned klezmer clarinetist David Krakauer. 

By the time the re-release project is finished, Karisma Records will have released all six of the following albums:

Ignis Fatuus – 1995 (released Nov 2023)
Ex Tenebris – 1997 (released April 2024)
Sacrament – 2000  (released July 2024)
Storm Season – 2004 (due for release 13  December 2024)
Signal to Noise – 2006
Terminal Twilight – 2011

More information about WHITE WILLOW can be found at https://www.facebook.com/whitewillowband/

A video for the track “Kansas Regrets” from WHITE WILLOW’s 2011 album “Terminal Twilight” can be seen below

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
WHITE WILLOW
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitewillowband/
Holm-Lupo Lydproduksjon:   www.duderanchstudio.com
KARISMA RECORDS
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: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/
Karisma Records US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com

EXTREME METAL VETERANS CREST OF DARKNESS RELEASE NEW VIDEO AND SINGLE FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: October 7, 2024 in CREST OF DARKNESS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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With their ninth full-length album “My Ghost” set to hit the streets on the 18th October on My Kingdom Music, Norwegian Extreme Metallers, CREST OF DARKNESS have today released a second single from the album.

Titled “The Ultimate Truth” the track is a demonstration of the versatility of the band, whose particular take on Extreme Metal pulls in fans from genres that range from Black to Death to Thrash to Metal. 

“The Ultimate Truth”  can be streamed or downloaded from a variety of services at https://song.link/COD_truth

Accompanying the track is a video by videographer and editor Caroline Kløvrud of  Litt Films, who has been able to capture the darkness inherent within the band’s music and its founder Ingar Amlien’s lyrical concepts. 

It can be seen below and at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qYaplQj1Kg

CREST OF DARKNESS’ career spans over 30 years, and  “My Ghost” will  be the heaviest, darkest and most personal work that Amlien has created to date.  As he recently explained:

“Structured as a ritual, “My Ghost” is a concept album, which, from an artistic standpoint, is meant to be heard as a whole. From the album’s evocative opening, the ritual leads us to its climax, embodied by the final song “The Ultimate Truth”. This is the point at which the listener completes the initiation into the dark world of CREST OF DARKNESS, and is thus ready to enter the “Ninth Portal”.

With its varied and uncompromising lyrics underpinning its message, “My Ghost” is essentially a long journey into the darkest recesses of the mind. A place where Nature’s darkest forces breathe energy and vitality into those who have the courage, and the strength, to become their own Gods”.

With cover art by Roy Allan Larsen,  tracklisting for “My Ghost”  is as follows:

1. My Ghost
2. Infected
3. The Will Of God
4. Call Of The Moon
5. Satanic
6. Sacrificed To The Sun
7. The Awakening
8. Under My Spell
9. The Ultimate Truth

Amlien describes the painstaking creative process that went into the making of “My Ghost”:

“My Ghost” is the result of two years worth of blood and sweat, which began with me working alone to mould my very personal thoughts and beliefs into musical ideas. Then, together as a band, with myself on bass and vocals, Rebo Rebolee on Guitars, and Bjørnar Jenssen  on drums, we developed those ideas, each contributing our own ideas to the process. 

The end result is an extremely personal journey that defines the very essence of CREST OF DARKNESS.

“My Ghost” features special guest appearances by renowned Norwegian trumpet player Roy Nikolaisen, and long-term collaborator Kristian Wentzel on keyboards.  It was recorded at the MLP Studios with Nils H. Maehlum at the helm and was mastered by Giuseppe Nicolò (aka Buzz) at Lost Soul Studio.

“My Ghost” is  available to pre-order in LP, Digipak CD, Tape and Digital formats, as well as in a special bundle edition limited to 50 copies from the following: 

https://shorturl.at/mqf9L

CREST OF DARKNESS will be celebrating the release of “My Ghost” at Friscena, in Govik, Norway, on the 19th October.

More information about CREST OF DARKNESS can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/crestofdarknessofficial and on the band’s website at http://www.crestofdarkness.com/

The single “Call of the Moon” from “My Ghost” was recently released in 7″ EP and Digital formats which are available from a number of services at https://album.link/COD_moon

The video for “Call of the Moon” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/n0_XISysdMo?si=WMMIMBA8Za8wkumd 

Additional Information
Website: http://www.crestofdarkness.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/crestofdarknessofficial
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/CRESTOFDARKNESSOFFIC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crestofdarkness/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrestofDarkness
BandCamp: https://crestofdarkness.bandcamp.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/67dTHBWfRi3CkmwdodcAxz
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/crest-of-darkness
My Kingdom Music: https://linktr.ee/mykingdommusic
Band Contact and Booking: contact@crestofdarkness.com
Management and Booking: patriciathomas@btinternet.com