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Archive for the ‘OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES’ Category

DOOM METALLERS BISMARCK REVEAL DETAILS AND SINGLE FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: March 7, 2024 in DARK ESSENCE RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Doom, Doom Metal, Norway, Norwegian Black Metal, Post Rock, Psychedelic, Sludge

With a trademark sound that is an uncompromising mix of sludgy riffs and psychedelic nuances, BISMARCK’s lineup of Torstein Tveiten on Vocals, Leif Herland on Guitar and Backing Vocals, Eirik Goksøyr on Guitar, Tomas Osland on Bass and Tore Lyngstad on Drums, have earned themselves a reputation as one of the heaviest bands in Norway.

With the band having completed their latest album, Dark Essence Records have today announced details of what will be BISMARCK’s third full-length release. Slated to hit the streets on the 3rd May, “Vourukasha” promises to be an amp melting form of stoner doom, combined with atmospheric post-rock, and with a hint of Middle Eastern folk music and the Norwegian black metal the band grew up listening to.

As a hint of what to expect, Dark Essence have today released a single from the album. Titled “Sky Father”, the single can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at:

https://link.darkessencerecords.no/Bismarck_Sky-Father

This is what BISMARCK had to say about the single:

“Sky Father” is the divine wrath, the flood to come, and the fall of man. Its aggressive nature and ferocity coming to life with the help of Aslak (Ondt Blod), as he summons the unavoidable calamity.

“Vourukasha” is an album that amply showcases BISMARCK’s music. With its exploration of western esotericism, altered states of consciousness and a mystical apocalypse, “Vourukasha’s” lyrical content acts as the perfect foil to the band’s sound, which alternates between intense, fuzzed-out heaviness, and clean, atmospheric drones.

As the band explained

“Vourukasha” is a work born from curiosity, hard work, and sheer determination. It will take you on a metaphysical journey through space and time. From the darkest depths of the sea to the endless cosmic void. Join us, and dive into the Heavenly Sea.

With artwork by Vaderetro, track listing for “Vourukasha” is as follows:

Sky Father
Echoes
Kigal
The Tree of All Seeds
Vourukasha
Ocean Dweller

“Vourukasha” will be available in CD, Digital and Limited Edition Splatter Vinyl formats and can now be pre-ordered from:

Webshop: https://darkessencerecords.no/shop/
US Webshop: https://darkessence.indiemerch.com

BISMARCK has been confirmed to appear at Oslo’s Desertfest and the Valo Rock Festival in May 2024.

More information about BISMARCK can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Bismarckdoom

A video of BISMARCK live at the Vill Vill Vest festival at USF Verftet, Bergen, Norway, in 2020 can be seen at https://youtu.be/jdTpWV43g0s?si=EyikFAW0lg290qBx

KARISMA RECORDS INKS DEAL WITH SWEDISH PROG ROCKERS AGUSA

Posted: February 29, 2024 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Agusa, Jazz, Karisma Records, Kraut Rock, Latin American Folk, Nordic Folk, Prog Rock, Progressive, Progressive Rock, Space Rock, Sweden

Karisma Records have inked a deal with Swedish Prog Rockers AGUSA that will see the label re-release the band’s first five studio albums.

AGUSA has been at the forefront of the Swedish Psychedelic Prog scene since the band’s formation in 2013. Based in Malmö, Sweden, AGUSA’s lineup of Simon Ström on bass, Nicolas Difonis on drums, Mikael Ödesjö on guitar, Roman Andrén on keys, and Jenny Puertas on Flute, have appeared live internationally both on the club circuit as well as at a variety of Prog festivals.

They have, over the years, garnered a reputation for their ability to perform meditative soft parts, combined with epic interludes and the occasional trip to a rock hard darkness, all of which provide audiences with an unforgettable live experience.

AGUSA’s sound is one that effortlessly ranges from majestic beauty to violent outbursts. It blends tripped-out psychedelic and progressive rock structures aimed at instilling visions of nature and the cosmos. Whilst dreamlike passages meander into realms of a possibly supernatural or parallel existence. This is instrumental music where the instruments, and the people playing them, communicate directly with the hearts and minds of the listener.

Drawing on influences from Nordic and Latin American folk music, AGUSA’s roots run deep into the ambits of space rock, kraut rock and jazz. Combine these varied aspects with the band’s traditional foundation, and you get a group of musicians who interpret things their own way, and, whilst AGUSA’s music takes you back to the 70s, it is, at the same time, something new and unexplored. It is the sound of a band that has forged a strong musical identity for itself. One that is unmistakably its own.

The five albums that will be released on Karisma Records are HÖGTID (2014), TVÅ (2015), AGUSA (2017), EN ANNAN VÄRLD (2021) and PRIMA MATERIA (2023). More details to follow.

Of their upcoming collaboration with Karisma Records, AGUSA had this to say:

Karisma is the most interesting and ambitious record label for progressive rock music in Scandinavia right now. We are happy and proud to join their roster of talented artists and bands. Great things ahead. Hold on to your hats!

More information about AGUSA can be found on the band’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/agusaband

A video of AGUSA performing live at the Minnuendö festival in Spain in 2023 can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/GUEzvccjGgA?si=NzP6iWj7d0u772Ay

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AGUSA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/agusaband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agusa.band/
Bandcamp: https://agusaband.bandcamp.com/
Email: agusaband@gmail.comP
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 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

GENRE-DEFYING DUO LETHE REVEAL ALBUM DETAILS, NEW SINGLE & VIDEO

Posted: February 16, 2024 in DARK ESSENCE RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Dark Essence Records, Electronic, Experimental, Lethe, Metal, Norway, Pop, Triphop

Following the inevitable delays that the past few years have wrought on new releases, LETHE are finally back with their third full-length album, scheduled for release on Dark Essence Records on the 24th April.

Titled “Alienation” the album continues to explore LETHE’s idiosyncratic soundscapes, described variously as “genre-bending”, “style-bastardization”, “eclectic”, and even “just plain weird”. However, this time the Swiss/Norwegian duo of Tor-Helge Skei (MANES, MANII etc.) and Anna Murphy (CELLAR DARLING, ex-ELUVEITIE) also dip their toes into new territories.

And, whilst waiting for the release date to arrive, Dark Essence Records have today released “Erosion” a track taken from the album, and about which LETHE had this to say:

It’s hard to pick out one song to represent the album, but ‘Erosion’ might give a little clue about what you can expect from the “Alienation”. Or not.. Joining us on the song are Tor Arne Helgesen on drums, Eivind Fjøseide on guitars and Marita Hellem on vocals.

“Erosion” can be downloaded or streamed on various services at:

https://link.darkessencerecords.no/Lethe_Erosion

Accompanying the single is a video comprised of clips taken from ‘Point of Return’ (University of Oklahoma), which can be seen below:

Formed in 2012, and taking their name from one of the five rivers in Hades in Greek mythology, LETHE was originally created as a home for Anna and Tor-Helge’s musical and artistic experimentation. And, right from the start, the duo made it very clear that the only rule is that there are no rules, no expectations and no compromises.

This has resulted in the band being able to experiment on every level, whilst being absolutely unafraid of incorporating melody and catchiness into their sound. LETHE’s music is therefore quite personal and different. A unique melting pot of dark rock, pop, electronic, experimentation and metal, filled with an atmosphere that is cold and harsh and interwoven with beautiful melodies and mesmerizing grooves.

With artwork by Tom Korsvold “Alienation” will be available in CD, Digital and Limited Edition Purple Vinyl, and track listing is as follows:

Anhedonia
Brighter
When it’s Over
Éternel
Crossroads
Sedator
Erosion
Worm

“Alienation” is now available to pre-order from:

Webshop: https://darkessencerecords.no/shop/
Bandcamp: https://lethemetal.bandcamp.com/album/alienation
US Webshop: https://darkessence.indiemerch.com

Commenting on the album, LETHE explained that:

“Alienation” took years longer than planned, because of a lot of things, circumstances far beyond our control, but it’s finally here! The 3rd chapter of the Lethe saga! As always, it’s an eclectic blend of expressions and atmospheres and moods, and not many defined borders, styles or rules.. Lyrically it’s about being outsiders, outcasts, and alienated in various forms, mentally, physically, ideologic(ally).. and musically.. (hence the album title).. So, join us on another journey, a personal and alternate one..

More information about LETHE can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LetheProject or on their website at https://torhelgeskei.com/lethe/

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

Posted: February 15, 2024 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Jacob Holm-Lupo, Karisma Records, Prog, White Willow

Following its plan to release a total of six albums from the back catalogue of WHITE WILLOW, Karisma Records have announced that the 12th April will see the second album from the Norwegian Prog Legends hit the streets.

First released in 1997 “Ex Tenebris” followed the release band’s first album “Ignis Fatuus” which had been recorded by the by-now disbanded original lineup of WHITE WILLOW. As such, Jacob Holm-Lupo intended it to be a solo album, but, realising that it was heading in a more progressive direction than originally anticipated, “Ex Tenebris” became a full-blown White Willow production.

With only a shoestring budget at the band’s disposal, the recording itself was, by necessity, quick and dirty, but nevertheless there was a certain charm to the natural drum ambience and the overall “first takes only” feel to the album.

Overall, “Ex Tenebris” ended up being a more stripped-down, somewhat darker album than its predecessor, with more electric guitars and synths and a marked absence of krumhorns or renaissance vocal groups. In fact, the album has become a bit of a cult favourite with the band’s fans, and signposted WHITE WILLOWS’S first step towards something more original than the retro-styled psych-folk of “Ignis Fatuus”.

The songs themselves range from almost neo-progish mini-epics like “Leaving the House of Thanatos””, to the acoustic balladry of “The Book of Love” and “Thirteen Days”, and the more overtly gothic sound of ” A Strange Procession” and “A Dance of Shadows”.

For its re-release “Ex Tenebris” has undergone meticulous remastering by WHITE WILLOW’s own Jacob Holm-Lupo and is available for first time on vinyl. Complete with the original classic cover art “Ex Tenebris” will be available in CD, Digital and Limited Edition Double LP in transparent blue vinyl.

Tracklisting, for “Ex Tenebris”, which has a slight variation in the track order of the CD and LP versions, is as follows:

CD TRACKLIST: LP TRACKLIST:

Leaving the House of Thanatos 01. Leaving the House of Thanatos
The Book of Love 02. The Book of Love
Soteriology 03. Helen and Simon Magus
Helen and Simon Magus 04. Thirteen Days
Thirteen Days 05. Soteriology
A Strange Procession 06. A Strange Procession
A Dance of Shadows 07. A Dance of Shadows

“Ex Tenebris” is now available to pre-order from:

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

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 WOBBLERS 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 (due for release April 2024)
Sacrament – 2000
Storm Season – 2004
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
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitewillowband/
Holm-Lupo Lydproduksjon: www.duderanchstudio.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: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com

PROG ROCKERS AIRBAG AND KARISMA RECORDS RENEW LONG-STANDING COLLABORATION

Posted: February 1, 2024 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Airbag, Karisma Records, Norway, Norwegian Prog Rock, Oak, Prog, Prog Rock

With their sixth full-length album well on its way to completion, Norwegian Prog Rockers AIRBAG will continue their journey with Karisma Records who have worked alongside the band since the very start.

It has been a collaboration that has stood both the band and the label in good stead over the past couple of decades, as AIRBAG explained:

We’re very excited to continue the strong partnership with Karisma Records. They’ve supported the band since the beginning, always with a firm understanding and belief in what we create. We really can’t wait to release our new album!

Formed in the mid 2000’s by five high school classmates, AIRBAG’s lineup today still includes two of those original members, Asle Tostrup on vocals and Bjørn Riis on guitars, plus Henrik Bergan Fossum on drums.

Since its inception, the band’s ability to blend diverse musical styles and sounds, with a strong narrative listening experience, has seen AIRBAG earn the plaudit as one of the most important bands to have emerged from the Norwegian prog scene over the past decades.

Karisma Records themselves are equally as enthusiastic to continue working and growing the relationship with AIRBAG as AIRBAG is enthusiastic about continuing to work and grow with the label:

We’re super happy to continue our journey with Airbag for their next albums. The band has been an integral part defining and growing Karisma Records for many years now, and it has been a privilege to see the band develop. Working with Airbag is always a pleasure, both professionally and personally. Having heard the master for the upcoming album, we can promise you yet another awesome piece of work!

AIRBAG will be appearing at the Cosmpopolite Scene in Oslo, Norway, along with label-mates OAK, on the 10th February. Details at https://www.facebook.com/events/298621546507344/

More information about AIRBAG can be found on the band’s website at http://www.airbagsound.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/airbagsound

A video of AIRBAG performing in Quebec in 2019 can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/3fFoN-JJr-U

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AIRBAG
Website: www.airbagsound.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airbagsound
YouTube: www.youtube.com/airbagsound
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airbagsound/
Airbag Booking: bjorn@airbag.no
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: https://www.karismarecords.no
Karisma Records US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com

KARISMA RECORDS REVEALS NEW SINGLE FROM THE FINAL PART OF THE CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN’S AIROEA FANTASY TRILOGY

Posted: January 17, 2024 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Father Robin, Jordsjø, Karisma Records, Norway, Prog, Prog Rock, Samuel Jackson Five, The Chronicles of Father Robin, Tusmorke, Wobbler

All things have a beginning, a middle and an end, and so it is with the fantasy trilogy by Norwegian Prog Rockers THE CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN, who follow the adventures of the mystical creature Father Robin over the triple concept album “The Songs & Tales of Airoea”.

Starting out with “Book I: The Tale of Father Robin (The State of Nature)” which was released in September of 2023 and is set on the land , followed by the December release of “Book II: Ocean Traveller (Metamorphosis)”, which takes place on the sea, we now come to 2024 and the much-anticipated release of “Book III: Magical Chronicle (Ascension)” which takes place in the Cloud Lands in the Sky and is due to hit the streets on the 23 February.

And today, Karisma Records have released the opening track from the album as a single. Titled “Magical Chronicle”, it is a vocal driven track full of lush harmonies and clear references to prog classics such as GENTLE GIANT, YEZDA URFA and the Canterbury Scene.

“Magical Chronicle“, can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at :

https://link.karismarecords.no/TCOFR_MagicalChronicle

The lineup of THE CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN (or TCOFR for short) draws its members from some of the most respected bands on Norway’s Prog Rock scene, and as a result you will find musicians from WOBBLER, JORDSJØ, TUSMØRKE and seasoned post-rockers THE SAMUEL JACKSON FIVE in its ranks.

Emerging during 1993-94 from what was left of the band FANGORN, and inspired in large part by the classic bands and albums that were part of the 1970s progressive music scene, it took thirty years for TCOFR to complete “The Songs & Tales of Airoea”, trilogy.

The result of these thirty years of work is the creation of a whole fantastical world through which Father Robin travels and undergoes a whole series of adventures spanning three decades and told through 18 songs spread out over the three albums.

Contributors to the Trilogy include 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.

Tracklisting on “Book III: Magical Chronicle (Ascension)” (which follows on directly from Books I and II) is as follows:

13. Magical Chronicle
14. Skyslumber
15. Cloudship
16. Empress of the Sun
17. Lost in the Palace Gardens
18. Epilogue

“Book III” will be released in CD, Digital and LP formats and is available to pre-order from:

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

“Book III” makes a fitting closing chapter to the trilogy, starting off as it does with the upbeat “Magical Chronicle”, followed by the atmospheric “Skyslumber”, and “Cloudship”, the soaring prog ballad that YES never wrote. The album then explodes into the dynamic psych-rocker “Empress of the Sun”, a song full of energy and contrast that eventually slides into a keyboard lead middle part that is reminiscent of THE DOORS at their most adventurous.

The closing part of “Book III” begins with “Lost in the Palace Gardens” a track that starts off with a beautiful acoustic guitar part that not only brings to mind British folk bands such as STEELEYE SPAN, but also the guitar work of a certain JIMMY PAGE. The track follows up with vocal parts where the voices of Andreas Prestmo and Aleksandra Morozova flawlessly complement each other, making it a perfect culmination of this highly ambitious body of work.

THE CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN are set to appear at the 21st International Art Rock Festival Minnuendö at the Peralta Auditorium in Navarra, Spain on the 11th May.

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: https://www.karismarecords.no
Karisma Records US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com

DARK ESSENCE RECORDS RELEASE NEW SINGLE FROM UPCOMING MADDER MORTEM ALBUM

Posted: January 12, 2024 in DARK ESSENCE RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Americana, Dark Essence Records, Extreme, Heavy, Madder Mortem, Metal, Norway, Post Metal, Prog, Rock

With the release date of MADDER MORTEM “Old Eyes, New Heart”, fast approaching, Dark Essence Records have today revealed a new track from the album. Titled “Unity”, it is, according to the band:

A song about not lying to oneself, facing reality head-on and with honesty. Musically, “Unity” blends Muse-ish excess with Eastern rhythmic and melodic influences and a sing-along chorus, all wrapped in a very Madder Mortem mix of heaviness and atmosphere.

“Unity” can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at:

https://link.darkessencerecords.no/Madder-Mortem_Unity

Set for release on the 26th January, “Old Eyes, New Heart” is the eighth full-length album from MADDER MORTEM, a band that has never sought to fit into any particular category, but has preferred rather to draw upon styles such as Prog and Metal, Rock and Extreme, much to the delight of their many fans.

With “Old Eyes, New Heart”, MADDER MORTEM’s lineup of Agnete M. Kirkevaag on vocals, BP M. Kirkevaag on guitar & vocals, Anders Langberg on guitars, Tormod L. Moseng on bass and Mads Solås on drums have created a work that follows many unexpected directions ranging from post-metal heaviness to soft Americana grooves and everything in between

Recorded and produced by BP M. Kirkevaag, the album is an exploration of hope, disappointment, and the ambivalence between them. It is, essentially, music that comes from old hearts and deep roots, with new eyes open to the unlimited possibilities of 12 notes. But, as always, MADDER MORTEM’s intention is to write a good, honest song. And with “Old Eyes, New Heart” they have succeeded admirably.

But it is also an album whose creation has not been without turmoil, and with it also came the heartbreak that was felt at the death of Jakob Kirkevaag, the much-loved father of band members Agnete and BP, and a man whose unfailing support has been so important to MADDER MORTEM from its very inception almost 30 years ago.

“Old Eyes, New Heart”, is, in fact, dedicated to Jakob, an artist in his own right, who sadly did not live long-enough to see or hear the finished work. However, his contribution to the band lives on, because, with the help of MADDER MORTEM’s long-time collaborator, the artist and video producer Costin Chioreanu, two of Jakob’s original paintings were adapted to form the cover art for “Old Eyes, New Heart”.

“Old Eyes, New Heart”, will be available in CD, Digital, and Limited Edition LP formats in White Vinyl (limited to 250 copies) and Blue Vinyl (limited to 250 copies), and can now be pre-ordered from:

Webshop: https://darkessencerecords.no/kar270-madder-mortem-old-eyes-new-heart/
BandcampL https://maddermortem.bandcamp.com/album/old-eyes-new-heart
US Webshop: https://darkessence.indiemerch.com

Tracklisting on “Old Eyes, New Heart” is as follows:

Coming from the Dark
On Guard
Master Tongue
The Head that Wears the Crown
Cold Hard Rain
Unity
Towers
Here and Now
Things I’ll Never Do
10. Long Road

A release party for will be held at the Rockefeller / John Dee / Sentrum Scene in Oslo, Norway on the 3rd February, and fans will also be able to see MADDER MORTEM perform at this year’s Inferno Metal Festival in Oslo on Saturday 30th March.

A video by Patrick Scantlebury for “Towers” the recently released first single from “Old Eyes, New Heart” can be seen below and at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzf7cvrk3jU

More information about MADDER MORTEM can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mmortem or on the band’s website at http://www.maddermortem.com/

DARK ESSENCE RECORDS RELEASES NEW TRACK AND VIDEO FROM UPCOMING ALFAHANNE ALBUM

Posted: January 10, 2024 in ALFAHANNE, DARK ESSENCE RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Alfahanne, Alfapokalyptic Rock, Black Metal, Classic Rock, Dark Essence Records, Punk, rock n roll

Sweden’s ALFAHANNE, whose ability both on and off stage to produce their own infectious, crowd-pleasing “Alfapocalyptic Rock” has endeared the band to a legion of fans since the 2013 release of their debut full-length “Alfapokalyps“, will be back this year with their fifth album “Vår tid är nu”.

But, although fans will have to wait until the 9th February to hear the album in its entirety, Dark Essence Records have today released a new single taken from the album. Titled “Wolfman” the track can be streamed or downloaded from a variety of services at

https://link.darkessencerecords.no/Alfahanne_Wolfman

Whilst the video, by Necrolust Productions, can be seen below and on YouTube at https://youtu.be/wCayoki-82U

Commenting on the track, ALFAHANNE noted that:

The song includes brilliant Steel guitar work which is something different for us, but make no mistake, “Wolfman” is as “Alfahanne” as it gets. It’s a classic Rock song but it comes with a twist because we have never been afraid of turning left when the road turns right.

Whilst “Vår tid är nu” is unmistakably ALFAHANNE, replete with the band’s mix of Black Metal, Classic Rock, Punk and a healthy dose of Rock n Roll, it is, nevertheless, their heaviest album to date. The catchy melodies and the punk swagger are all present, but so too is a an underlying bleak atmosphere that is reminiscent of both the early days of Black Metal and the 80s.

With album cover art by Roger Pettersson and photography by Uffe Sandin, tracklisting on “Vår tid är nu” is as follows:

Intro
9:e cirkeln
Eremiten (Feat. Doedsadmiral)
Elden har vaknat
Alfa omega (Feat. Nattefrost)
Wolfman
När allt faller-Kaiken Kaatuessa
(Feat. Spellgoth)
213
Vår tid är nu (Feat. Nattfursth)
Outro

Known for their ability to attract a veritable who’s who of Scandinavian Extreme Metal icons to guest both on their albums and on stage – artists such as Hoest (TAAKE), V’gandr (HELHEIM), Dolk (KAMPFAR), Erlend Hjelvik (KVELERTAK), Spellgoth (HORNA, TURMION KÄTILÖT), Nattfursth (SORHIN), David Lindh (YVONNE and BRODER DANIEL), Sanrabb (GEHENNA) and Niklas Kvarforth (SHINING), ALFAHANNE carry on this tradition with “Vår tid är nu”.

This time CARPATHIAN FOREST’s legendary Nattefrost himself makes an appearance, along with Doedsadmiral (NORDJEVEL), both of whom contribute their first ever guest vocals with the band, whilst Spellgoth (HORNA) and Nattfursth (SORHIN) make a welcome return.

“Vår tid är nu” will be available in CD, Digital and Limited Edition Swamp Green Vinyl formats and can be pre-ordered now from:

Bandcamp: https://alfahanne.bandcamp.com/album/v-r-tid-r-nu
Webshop: https://darkessencerecords.no/shop/
US Webshop: https://darkessence.indiemerch.com/

ALFAHANNE’s lineup is comprised of Pehr Skjoldhammer on guitars and vocals, Fredrik Sööberg on guitars, Jimmy Wiberg on bass, Niklas Åström on drums, and Stefan Eriksson on keyboards and guitars, and more information about the band can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/alfahanneofficial

ALFAHANNE have already been confirmed to appear at 2024’s Karmoygeddon Festival to be held in Kopervik, Norway, 2-4 May.

A video of ALFAHANNE performing the track “Indiehora” from their album “Alfapokalyps”, live at Inferno Festival 2014, and featuring V’gandr of TAAKE & HELHEIM can be seen https://youtu.be/alOrLodpTGg

KARISMA RECORDS REVEALS ALBUM DETAILS AND SINGLE FROM THE FINAL PART OF THE CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN’S AIROEA FANTASY TRILOGY

Posted: December 15, 2023 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Adventures, Fantasy, Folk, Karisma Records, Norway, Prog, Prog Rock, Progressive, Psychedelia, The Chronicles of Father Robin, Trilogy

The 23 February sees the release of “Book III: Magical Chronicle (Ascension)”, the final album in the CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN’s Airoea fantasy trilogy.

Chronicling the journeys of Father Robin through the mystical world of Airoea, the trilogy tracks the adventures of our indomitable hero who finally reaches the end of his travels, (or should that be travails?) in “The Songs & Tales of Airoea – Book 3: Magical Chronicle (Ascension)” in which he explores the Cloud Lands in the Sky.

With fans of Prog Rockers CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN (TCOFR for short) curious to see what will befall Father Robin as he embarks on his final trek, Karisma Records have today released a single from the album.

Titled “Empress of the Sun” the track can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at

https://link.karismarecords.no/TCOFR_EmpressoftheSun

“Book III” makes a fitting closing chapter to the trilogy, starting off as it does with the upbeat “Magical Chronicle”, a vocal driven track full of lush harmonies and clear references to prog classics such as GENTLE GIANT, YEZDA URFA and the Canterbury Scene. Followed by the atmospheric “Skyslumber”, and “Cloudship”, the soaring prog ballad that YES never wrote, the album then explodes into the dynamic psych-rocker “Empress of the Sun”, a song full of energy and contrast that eventually slides into a keyboard lead middle part that is reminiscent of THE DOORS at their most adventurous.

Tracklisting on “The Songs & Tales of Airoea – Book III” (which follows on directly from Books I and II) is as follows:

13. Magical Chronicle
14. Skyslumber
15. Cloudship
16. Empress of the Sun
17. Lost in the Palace Gardens
18. Epilogue

Rising from the remains of the band FANGORN, and Inspired mainly by the classic bands and albums that were part of the 1970s progressive music scene, THE CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN emerged during 1993 – 94, coming up alongside contemporaries such as ÄNGLAGÅRD, ANEKDOTEN, WHITE WILLOW and LANDBERK.

Featuring a veritable all-star team of members drawn from some of the most revered progressive rock bands from Norway – WOBBLER, JORDSJØ, TUSMØRKE and seasoned post-rockers THE SAMUEL JACKSON FIVE, it took thirty years for TCOFR to complete their concept Trilogy.

The result is a cohesive triple concept album spanning three decades and featuring a total of 18 songs, spread out over three albums. Contributors to the Trilogy include 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.

With “Book I” having been released in September and “Book II” in December of 2023, “Book III” will be available in CD, Digital and LP formats, whilst the complete Trilogy is available as a Deluxe Limited Edition Triple Coloured Vinyl Box Set on Old Oak Records.

Pre-orders are now available from:

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

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

MADDER MORTEM RELEASE NEW SINGLE FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: December 13, 2023 in DARK ESSENCE RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Alfapokalyptic Rock, Americana, Avant-Garde, Dark Essence Records, Extreme, Grunge, Madder Mortem, Norway, Post Metal, Prog, Rock

Five years after the release of “Marrow” MADDER MORTEM will be back on the 26th January 2024 with their 8th full-length album “Old Eyes, New Heart”, and, whilst fans wait for its release, Dark Essence Records has today debuted a single taken from the album.

Titled “The Head That Wears The Crown” MADDER MORTEM explained that this track is

A typical example of how Madder Mortem’s song writing works, combining an intensely melodic, nearly baroque verse with a down-tuned, heavy-handed riff-based refrain very suitable for banging your head. The lyrics deal with how there are some lines that will not be crossed and some things that will not be handed out for free, not even for love”.

“The Head That Wears The Crown” can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at:

https://link.darkessencerecords.no/MadderMortem_THTWTC

Eschewing any attempts at genre-categorisation, MADDER MORTEM’s lineup of Agnete M. Kirkevaag on vocals, BP M. Kirkevaag on guitar & vocals, Anders Langberg on guitars, Tormod L. Moseng on bass and Mads Solås on drums, are able to draw fans from fields as diverse as Prog and Metal, Rock and Extreme, and a few more besides.

Recorded and produced by BP M. Kirkevaag, “Old Eyes, New Heart” is chock full of surprises and finds MADDER MORTEM skillfully following a wide range of directions that range from post-metal heaviness to soft Americana grooves and everything in between.

Tracklisting on “Old Eyes, New Heart” is as follows:

Coming from the Dark
On Guard
Master Tongue
The Head that Wears the Crown
Cold Hard Rain
Unity
Towers
Here and Now
Things I’ll Never Do
Long Road

Lyrically and musically, “Old Eyes, New Heart” deals with hope, disappointment, and the ambivalence between them. It is music from old hearts and deep roots, with new eyes open to the unlimited possibilities of 12 notes, but always with the desire to write a good, honest song. Which makes it unmistakably MADDER MORTEM.

It will be available in CD, Digital, and Limited Edition LP formats in White Vinyl (limited to 250 copies) and Blue Vinyl (limited to 250 copies), and can now be pre-ordered from:

Webshop: https://darkessencerecords.no/kar270-madder-mortem-old-eyes-new-heart/
BandcampL https://maddermortem.bandcamp.com/album/old-eyes-new-heart
US Webshop: https://darkessence.indiemerch.com

The making of “Old Eyes, New Heart”, has not just been a long journey for the MADDER MORTEM, it has also been a hard one, filled with turmoil, and, for band members Agnete and BP, one that ended in heartbreak following the death of their beloved father Jakob, a man whose support was intrinsic to the launch of the band’s career almost 30 years ago.

An artist himself, Jakob contributed two paintings for “Old Eyes, New Heart”, which, with the help of artist and video producer Costin Chioreanu, a long-term collaborator of the band’s, Jakobs’ work was adapted to form the cover art of the album. Sadly he did not live long enough to hear the finished work which dedicated to his memory.

A video by Patrick Scantlebury for “Towers” the recently released first single from the album can be seen below and at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzf7cvrk3jU

More information about MADDER MORTEM can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mmortem or on the band’s website at http://www.maddermortem.com/

PATRICIA THOMAS BAND MANAGEMENT

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DARK ESSENCE RECORDS RELEASE NEW SINGLE FROM UPCOMING MADDER MORTEM ALBUM

DARK ESSENCE RECORDS RELEASES NEW TRACK AND VIDEO FROM UPCOMING ALFAHANNE ALBUM

KARISMA RECORDS REVEALS ALBUM DETAILS AND SINGLE FROM THE FINAL PART OF THE CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN’S AIROEA FANTASY TRILOGY

MADDER MORTEM RELEASE NEW SINGLE FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

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