Posts Tagged ‘Norway’

Tiebreaker PR 2016

With their new album “Death Tunes” set to be released on Karisma Records this Autumn, Norwegian Rockers TIEBREAKER have offered fans a glimpse into what will be the band’s second full-length album with the track “Killer” which is streaming exclusively on Vive Le Rock at http://vivelerock.net/tiebreaker-stream-exclusive-track/  and Metal Hammer Norway at http://www.metalhammer.no/?p=6391

Combining the sound of Rock & Roll brought up to date, plus the raw energy of early Garage Rock, TIEBREAKER quickly found itself amongst the top Norwegian Rock Bands, thanks to the chemistry of a lineup comprised of Thomas Espeland Karlsen on vocals, Eirik Wik Haug and Olav Areklett Vikingstad on guitars, Patrick Andersson on bass and Pål Gunnar Dale on drums.  Furthermore, it’s  a chemistry that works equally well in either a studio setting or a live environment.

“Death Tunes” was written over a period of three months in a small cabin in the west of Norway, and was produced by KVELERTAK guitarist Bjarte Lund Rolland.  Recording took place at the Amper Tone Studio in Oslo, owned by Kjartan Kristiansen of the DUMDUM BOYS, whilst the engineering/mixing/mastering is by Nick Terry (TURBONEGRO, KVELERTAK, LIBERTINES) with assistant engineers Kim Lillestøl and Espen Andersen.   The end result is a high-octane album packed with melodic riffing and spiced up with a dash of bluesy melancholy.

The ten-track album, which includes the video single “Anywhere But Here”,  will be released in CD and digital formats on the 21st  October, whilst the vinyl edition will be available from the 19th November .  Artwork for “Death Tunes” is by Robin Gnista.  Tracklisting is as follows:

  1. Hell
  2. Pan American Grindstone
  3. Cannonball
  4. Commando
  5. Anywhere But Here
  6. The Deep
  7. Building Up to Die
  8. Killer
  9. Float Away
  10. Heavy Lifting

Tiebreaker AlbumArt PR

“Death Tunes” is available to pre-order in CD and Vinyl formats from http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/artist/tiebreaker or from the US website at https://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/band/tiebreaker  as well as from  https://tiebreaker.bandcamp.com where the album is also available digitally.

TIEBREAKER will perform a series of shows in support of “Death Tunes”.  Routing as follows:

14.10.16   Odda, Iris Scene
04.11.16 Husnes, 5460 Bar
05.11.15 Etne, Phoenix
11.11.16 Kristiansand, Østsia
12.11.16 Sandnes, Tribute
17.11.16 Bergen, Garage
18.11.16 Haugesund, Flytten
19.11.16 Stord, Arena
24.11.16 Trondheim, Mrs Lundgren
25.11.16 Oslo, TBA
26.11.16 Skien, Lundetangen Pub

tiebreaker-tour

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

A video of TIEBREAKER playing live at the ABC Studios filmed by Gregor from tripidea.com and produced by Kjetil Ulland, can be seen on the band’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/ptT_aigL474  and on the Karisma Records channel at https://youtu.be/UWE8nMkAfWo


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TIEBREAKER’s debut full-length album can be heard on Bandcamp at https://tiebreaker.bandcamp.com/album/we-come-from-the-mountains


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Tracks from all of Karisma Records releases can be heard at https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records/sets/karisma-records


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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Tiebreaker on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tiebreakerofficial/
Tiebreaker on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG5ZcJxEdOudYfHcOx8ILDw
Tiebreaker on Bandcamp:  https://tiebreaker.bandcamp.com
Band Contact: tiebreakertheband@gmail.com
Tiebreaker Booking: ragnar@timeoutagency.com
Promo and other information: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/
Karisma Records BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/music
Karisma Records KlickTrack Store:  http://shop.klicktrack.com/karismadarkessencerecords
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor

 

slegest-pr

Photo by Håvard Nesbø

Having set the  4th November as the release date, Dark Essence Records have revealed the details of “Vidsyn”,  the much-anticipated second full-length album from  SLEGEST.   Recorded at the Conclave & Earshot and Systrond Studios,  “Vidsyn” was jointly produced by the band’s founder and frontman Ese, and  Bjørnar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR), who also mixed the album.  Mastering is by Herbrand Larsen (ENSLAVED).  Guesting on the album is Grutle Kjellson (ENSLAVED).

The cover  of “Vidsyn” once again has its roots in the art of Nikolai Astrup. Design is by Tom Korsvold and drawing is by Lars Hellebø.  Tracklisting as follows

1. I fortida sitt lys
2. Som i eit endelikt
3. Du
4. komfortabelt nommen midtvekes
5. Wolf
6. The Reanimator
7. Inn i uvissao
8. Tenn den gamle varde

slegest-artpr

SLEGEST was formed  in 2010 by former VREID guitarist ESE, whose original intention was to play BLACK SABBATH inspired music  paired with harsh vocals.  Whilst SLEGEST undoubtedly owes much to Black Metal, there is a distinct metal swagger to the band’s music, with superb guitar riffing  and plenty of melody, rather than an excess of speed.

“Vidsyn” sees SLEGEST confidently building on the sound they developed on their debut full-length “Løyndom”.  As Ese explained recently:

“We will pick up where we left off with “Løyndom” – mid-paced heaviness in all its glory and filth. I have read blackened doom applied as a description to our music.  But really you need to add a good dose of rock and then you might get the idea of what we are all about. There is so much to explore in our world of heavy rock and we are proud of our new songs which, to our ears – and, after all,  we are the blueprint –  sounds bloody brilliant. The album will of course deal with death, and, since I write all the music and spend plenty of time thinking about death, I guess it is safe to say that we are most likely onto something”.

SLEGEST will hit the road in December of this year , joining SHINING’s 20th Anniversary tour, which also features Dark Essence label mates TAAKE, with whom the band has previously toured.  The prospect of sharing a stage with Niklas Kvarforth and Hoest, widely acknowledged to be two of the most accomplished and exciting front men in extreme metal, would seem daunting to most bands, but judging from the reviews SLEGEST has received for its live performances, and from the number of fans the lineup of Ese on Vocals and Rhythm Guitars, Sør (BÄÄÄV, VONBRÅTEN) on Lead Guitars, Hövard (BOMBEKLÜCHTER) on Bass and Fjøsne on Drums, has  picked up following those performances,  this is a band that is more than able to hold its own against the two titans.

Before the start of the tour SLEGEST will launch the new album with a show at Krøsset in Oslo, where they will be joined by ALFAHANNE, and, given the dynamism and sheer entertainment value of the two bands, this will be an evening to remember.

Routing for the tour with SHINING and TAAKE as follows:

02 Dec: NUKE, Berlin, DE
03 Dec: Into Darkness Festival, Neushoom, Leeuwarden, NL
04 Dec: Underworld, London, UK
05 Dec: Petit Bain, Paris, FR
06 Dec: UBU, Rennes, FR
07 Dec: De verlichte Geest, Roeselare, BE
08 Dec:  Kulturfabrik, Esch – sur -Alzette, LU
09 Dec:  Matrix, Bochum, DE
10 Dec:  Backstage, Munich, DE
11 Dec: Circolo Colony, Brescia, IT

shining-taake-tourpr

More information about SLEGEST can be found on the band’s website at http://www.slegest.no/ or their official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/slegest/

The official video for “Ho Som Haustar Aleine”, the  opening track from the album “Løyndom”, can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/CHdUCDbyB5g


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“Løyndom”, the debut full-length album from SLEGEST can be heard below and at http://slegest.bandcamp.com/album/l-yndom


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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Slegest Contact:  slegest@slegest.no
Slegest Website: http://www.slegest.no/
Slegest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slegest
Slegest Bandcamp: http://slegest.bandcamp.com/
Slegest SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/slegest
Dark Essence contact: post@karismarecords.no
Dark Essence Records: www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence Records Bandcamp:  http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/
Dark Essence SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records
Dark Essence on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darkessencerecords
Dark Essence Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Dark Essence Webshop North America:  https://darkessence.aisamerch.com
Dark Essence Records KlickTrack:  shop.klicktrack.com/karismadarkessencerecords

ragnarok_logoPR

Norway’s  RAGNAROK have signed a new three album deal with Agonia Records, continuing the relationship that has so far  seen the release of the Norwegian Black Metal veterans’ seventh and eighth full-length albums, “Malediction” in 2012 and “Psychopathology” in 2016 respectively, as well as the  special edition retrospective “Chaos and Insanity Between 1994-2004“, which traces the first decade of the band’s history.

Founder and iconic drummer Jontho, had this to say about the decision to stick with the label:

“We looked at several other offers when our contract with Agonia expired, but one of the most important things for us was the kind of relationship we could have with a label.  We know that with Agonia we can have open and honest discussions and exchanges of ideas, which always result in something productive for both parties.  It’s not just about releases for them, it’s also about all the other the other things that go into making a band successful”.

Agonia Records Commented:

“RAGNAROK is in a class of its own for delivering more than two decades of truly intensive music. And that’s a heck of a time. One could say a band is burnt out after so many years of artistic expression, but this isn’t the case with RAGNAROK. If anything’s burning, it’s their enthusiasm, that’s being well channelized with experience. We are happy to re-new the deal and we are thrilled and looking forward to working on the upcoming releases!”

Formed in 1994 RAGNAROK’s history spans well over two decades.  As with any band that has lasted this long, there have been changes in the lineup along the way, not least of which was the decision by Jontho, one of the most recognisable and respected drummers on the Norwegian Black Metal  scene,  to expand his performing repertoire by  laying  down his drumsticks and taking over as vocalist.  Aside from Jontho on vocals, the band’s lineup includes long-standing guitarist Bolverk (IMAGES AT TWILIGHT), drummer Daniel Minge (DAUDEN) and session bassist Viti (IMAGES AT TWILIGHT, HINSIDIG).

RagnarokLiveMetalliluola

Having appeared at various festivals over the summer, RAGNAROK is set to play at Mörkaste Småland in Sweden, before hitting the road headlining a series of dates in Europe in the autumn. Upcoming shows as follows:

24 Sep:  Mörkaste Småland, Hultsferd, Sweden
16 Oct:  Bambi Galore,  Hamburg (DE)
17 Oct – Little Devil, Tillburg (Nl)
18.10 – TBA (DE)
19.10 – Backstage to the Mill,  Paris (FR)
20.10 – TBA (Ch)
21.10 – Rockfabrik, Ludwigsburg (DE)
22.10 – Bowlers Bar & Lounge, Apolda (DE)
23.10 – Barrak,  Ostrava (CZ)
24.10 – Melodka,  Brno (CZ)
25.10 – Blackland,  Berlin (DE)
26.10 – Roxy,  Flensburg (DE)

Ragnarok TourposterPR

More information about RAGNAROK can be found on the band’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ragnarokofficial  or on their  website at http://www.ragnarokhorde.com/

The official video for the title track from RAGNAROK’s seventh full-length album “Collectors of the King” can be seen below and at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdRPw1tPl5E


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Eleven tracks spanning over two decades of RAGNAROK’s career can be heard below and at http://soundcloud.com/ragnarokofficial/sets/ragnarok-live-set-list

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ragnarokofficial
Website: http://www.ragnarokhorde.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/RagnarokNorway
Official Spotify Playlist:  http://spoti.fi/2c34nFG
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/ragnarokofficial
Management: https://patriciathomasmanagement.com/
Management Contact: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Label: http://www.agoniarecords.com
For promo copies: info@agoniarecords.com

 

Seven Impale PR

With a date of the  16th September set for the release on Karisma Records of “Contrapasso”, the second full-length album from Norwegian Prog Rockers SEVEN IMPALE, a track from the album is now streaming to give fans a taste of what they can expect.  The track, “Languor” can be heard at the following:

Rock Hard: https://www.rockhard.de/news/newsarchiv/newsansicht/44799-seven-impale-languor-vom-contrapasso-album-feiert-premiere.html

Having earned themselves seventh place in the Progarchives.com best albums of the year poll with their  2014 debut full-length “City of the Sun”, SEVEN IMPALE are eager to show fans how far this group of musicians have developed since then, commenting:

“Finally the day (or at least one of the days) we have waited for!  We are very happy to present the track “languor” from “Contrapasso”. We feel that song captures the essence of the album with darker lyrics, heavier guitars, bigger drums, more everything! Still we are sure we are the same band that you heard on “City of the Sun”, but now a couple of years older and more mature. We are very excited and hope that you will enjoy it as much as we do!”

The nine-track album was recorded at the Solslottet Studio with producer Iver Sandøy, known for his  work with bands like ENSLAVED and KRAKOW.  Artwork for “Contrapasso” is by the Romanian artist Costin Chioreanu.  Tracklisting is as follows:

1. Lemma
2. Heresy
3. Inertia
4. Languor
5. Ascension
6. Convulsion
7. Helix
8. Serpentstone
9. Phoenix

Seven Impale AlbumArt PR

SEVEN IMPALE’s lineup 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 seamlessly combine their various musical disciplines, from classical orchestra to big band, metal to jazz, and rock to electronic, to give their sound an original approach that eschews genre boundaries.    “Contrapasso” builds on SEVEN IMPALE’s early sound, and demonstrates how much more confident and mature these young musicians have become, whilst the youthful  enthusiasm that permeates all they do, is still very evident.

A release party for “Contrapasso” will take place on the 7th October at Kvarteret in Bergen.

“Contrapasso” is available to pre-order now in both CD and vinyl editions from  http://shop.karismarecords.no/artist/seven-impale  or https://sevenimpale.bandcamp.com As well as from  the Karisma Records US Webstore at https://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/pre-orders

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

SEVEN IMPALE’s “City of the Sun” can be heard below and at http://sevenimpale.bandcamp.com/album/city-of-the-sun


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Tracks from Karisma Records releases, can be heard below and at https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records


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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sevenimpale
Bandcamp:  http://sevenimpale.bandcamp.com
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/sevenimpale
NRK: http://www.nrk.no/urort/Artist/SevenImpale/default.aspx
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 Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/
Karisma Records BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/music
Karisma Records KlickTrack Store:  http://shop.klicktrack.com/karismadarkessencerecords

 

Tiebreaker PR 2016

Karisma Records have today revealed the details and artwork for the sophomore full-length album from Norwegian Rockers, TIEBREAKER.  Written over a period of three months in a small cabin in the west of Norway, the album, titled “Death Tunes”, was recorded at the Amper Tone Studio in Oslo, owned by Kjartan Kristiansen of the DUMDUM BOYS, and produced by KVELERTAK guitarist Bjarte Lund Rolland. The engineer/mix/master on “Death Tunes” is Nick Terry (TURBONEGRO, KVELERTAK, LIBERTINES) with assistant engineers Kim Lillestøl and Espen Andersen, and it is set for release on October 21st, whilst the vinyl edition will hit the streets on November 18th.

The follow up to their debut album “We Come From the Mountains”, which was released internationally on Karisma Records in 2015, “Death Tunes” is a high-octane album, packed with melodic riffing and spiced up with a dash of bluesy melancholy.  If you can imagine the sound of today’s Rock & Roll, combined with the raw power of early Garage Rock, then understand exactly what TIEBREAKER are all about.

With artwork by Robin Gnista and the video single “Anywhere But Here”, tracklisting for the ten-track album is as follows:

1. Hell
2. Pan American Grindsont
3. Cannonball
4. Commando
5.  Anywhere But Here
6. The Deep
7. Building Up To Dier
8. Killer
9. Float Away
10. Heavy Lifting

Tiebreaker AlbumArt PR

With their roots forged amongst the deep fjords and brutal landscapes of Odda, Hordaland, and with an ingrained work-ethic, TIEBREAKER first saw the light of day in 2011. The band consists of Thomas Espeland Karlsen on vocals, Eirik Wik Haug and Olav Areklett Vikingstad on guitars, Patrick Andersson on bass and Pål Gunnar Dale on drums.  It is a band whose studio and on-stage chemistry has raised TIEBREAKER to the top ranks of Norway’s rock scene, affording them the opportunity to tour extensively both at home and abroad.  They have shared the stage with bands such as ENSLAVED, KVELERTAK, VINTAGE CARAVAN, etc., as well as earning themselves repeat invites to prestigious showcase festivals.

TIEBREAKER are set to perform a series of shows in support of “Death Tunes”.  Routing as follows:

14.10.16   Odda, Iris Scene
04.11.16 Husnes, 5460
11.11.16 Kristiansand, Østsia
12.11.16 Sandnes, Tribute
17.11.16 Bergen, Garage
18.11.16 Haugesund, Flytten
19.11.16 Stord, Arena
24.11.16 Trondheim TBA
25.11.16 Oslo, Pokalen
26.11.16 Skien, Lundetangen Pub

More shows to be announced.

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

A video of TIEBREAKER playing live at the ABC Studios filmed by Gregor from tripidea.com and produced by Kjetil Ulland, can be seen below and on the band’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/ptT_aigL474  as well as on the Karisma Records channel at https://youtu.be/UWE8nMkAfWo

 

TIEBREAKER’s debut full-length album can be heard below and on Bandcamp at https://tiebreaker.bandcamp.com


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Tracks from all of Karisma Records releases can be heard at https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records/sets/karisma-records

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Tiebreaker on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tiebreakerofficial/
Tiebreaker on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG5ZcJxEdOudYfHcOx8ILDw
Tiebreaker on Bandcamp:  https://tiebreaker.bandcamp.com
Band Contact: tiebreakertheband@gmail.com
Tiebreaker Booking: ragnar@timeoutagency.com
Promo and other information: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/
Karisma Records BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/music
Karisma Records KlickTrack Store:  http://shop.klicktrack.com/karismadarkessencerecords
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor

 

Taake Logo

With the vinyl version long-sold out and much in demand from fans,  Dark Essence Records are set to re-release TAAKE’s “…Doedskvad” in LP format.  The cover art for the LP differs from the original Dark Essence release, and is the one that was used for the limited edition splatter vinyl that was available on Perverted Taste, and which also sold out and is no longer available.

First released in 2005, and acknowledged by many to be a Black Metal masterpiece, “…Doedskvad” forms  the final part of TAAKE’s classic Trilogy, which includes the  “Nattestid” and “Bjoergvin” albums.  It was recorded at the legendary Grieghallen Studios, with guest appearances from Nattefrost (CARPATHIAN FOREST), NORDAVIND (ex-CARPATHIAN FOREST) and Taipan (ORCUSTUS).

The new vinyl edition will hit the streets on the 16th September and is  available to pre-order now from http://www.darkessencerecords.no/shop/doedskvad-2/  or http://taake.bandcamp.com/album/doedskvad , as well as from the Dark Essence Records  North American webshop at https://darkessence.aisamerch.com/item/41647

Tracklisting for “…Doedskvad” as follows:

  1. Hordalands Doedskvad part I
  2. Hordalands Doedskvad part II
  3. Hordalands Doedskvad part III
  4. Hordalands Doedskvad part IV
  5. Hordalands Doedskvad part V
  6. Hordalands Doedskvad part VI
  7. Hordalands Doedskvad part VII

Taake Doedskvad Artwork PR
Founded by Hoest, one of the most  the most respected frontment in the genre, TAAKE’s Helnorsk Svartmetall sound remains true to the traditions of  Norwegian Black Metal, but never allows itself to become stale, introducing fresh, and often musically controversial , ideas with each album.  The use of a banjo on the track “Myr” on the band’s 2011 album “Noregs Vaapen, for example, initially caused consternation amongst  some of the diehard Black Metal fans,  but is now acknowledged as an eccentric  stroke of genius, and is one of the most anticipated songs at TAAKE concerts.

Following a string of festival appearances this summer, and with two North American tours behind them, TAAKE will hit the road in Europe during December for a series of dates with Niklas Kvarforth’s SHINING.  With these two dynamic and high profile frontmen taking to the stage on the same bill, the tour is understandably much anticipated by fans.   Dates will be announced shortly.

More information about TAAKE can be found on the band’s website at http://taake.svartekunst.no   or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/taakeofficial

“…Doedskvad” can be heard below and on BandCamp at facebook.com/taakeofficialhttp://taake.bandcamp.com/album/doedskvad


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


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Tracks from all of DARK ESSENCE RECORDS releases can be heard at http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records/sets/dark-essence-records

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Taake Website: http://taake.svartekunst.no/
Taake on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taakeofficial
Taake WebShop: http://svartekunst.bigcartel.com/
Svartekunst Produksjoner: http://svartekunst.no
Taake Bandcamp:  http://taake.bandcamp.com
Taake Management & Booking: Propulsion Music http://www.propulsionmusic.no/
email: bjornar.erevik.nilsen@gmail.com
Dark Essence Records contact and promo: post@karismarecords.no
Dark Essence Records: www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darkessencerecords
Dark Essence Records Bandcamp: https://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/
Dark Essence Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Dark Essence North America Webshop: http://darkessence.aisamerch.com/
Dark Essence KlickTrack Store:  http://shop.klicktrack.com/karismadarkessencerecords
Dark Essence SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records

 

Seven Impale PR

Karima Records have set the 16th September as the release date for “Contrapasso”, the second full-length album from Norwegian Prog Rockers SEVEN IMPALE, and if the band’s debut album, “City of the Sun”,  is anything to go by, it is a date that many fans will be looking forward to.

Having earned itself seventh place in the Progarchives.com best albums of 2014 poll, “City of the Sun”, with the unique SEVEN IMPALE  sound still in the early stages of development, showed the promise of things to come from this young band.  And with “Contrapasso” SEVEN IMPALE are well on the way to fulfilling that early promise, with an album that shows a new maturity, and the confidenceto explore their sound further, imbuing it with more complexity and harder soundscapes, along with tracks that are more catchy and upbeat .  Genre boundaries are not something that concern these musicians, allowing them to create a sound that is interesting and varied, and which is still full of SEVEN IMPALE’s youthful enthusiasm.

The nine-track album was recorded at the Solslottet Studio with producer Iver Sandøy, known for his  work with bands like ENSLAVED and KRAKOW.  Artwork for “Contrapasso” is by the Romanian artist Costin Chioreanu.  Tracklisting is as follows:

1. Lemma
2. Heresy
3. Inertia
4. Langour
5. Ascension
6. Convulsion
7. Helix
8. Serpentstone
9. Phoenix

Seven Impale AlbumArt PR

SEVEN IMPALE was formed in Bergen, Norway in 2010, and its relatively young members bring with them a considerable diversity of musical disciplines, from classical orchestra to big band, metal to jazz, and rock to electronic.  The lineup 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 demonstrates how easily these musicians are able to fuse together all these influences to give the band its fresh, original, approach.

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

SEVEN IMPALE’s “City of the Sun” can be heard below and at http://sevenimpale.bandcamp.com/album/city-of-the-sun


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Tracks from Karisma Records releases, can be heard at https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sevenimpale
Bandcamp:  http://sevenimpale.bandcamp.com
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/sevenimpale
NRK: http://www.nrk.no/urort/Artist/SevenImpale/default.aspx
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 Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/
Karisma Records BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/music
Karisma Records KlickTrack Store:  http://shop.klicktrack.com/karismadarkessencerecords

Seven Impale PR

Photo by Annabel Lee

With their 2014 debut album “City of the Sun” earning itself seventh place in the Progarchives.com best albums of the year poll,  fans have been curious to hear what SEVEN IMPALE will bring to the table next.   And today Karisma Records have announced that  “Contrapasso”, the sophomore full-length album from the  young Norwegian Prog Rockers, is set for release in the Autumn.

Whilst details are still being kept under wraps, the label had this to say about what to expect: “As you can imagine with such a young band, SEVEN IMPALE have grown a lot since their debut.  They have continued to explore the unique sound they started to develop on “City of the Sun”, and, as their confidence has grown, they have taken that sound further, becoming more experimental, and adding complexity and harder soundscapes, along with more catchy and upbeat tracks.  Let’s just say that SEVEN IMPALE don’t believe in genre boundaries, and thankfully, they have lost none of their youthful enthusiasm in the process”.

“Contrapasso”, was recorded at the Solslottet Studio, with the band once again calling upon the services of Iver Sandøy, known for his work with bands like ENSLAVED and KRAKOW, to  name but a few.  “This time our producer, Iver Sandøy, has taken an even bigger part in making decisions regarding the arrangements and instrumentation” commented the band, who went on to explain that “The process of recording this album has been quite different from last time. There have been countless edits and changes from the material we brought with us into the studio.  It’s been a long road which  has been worth every step, and the  result makes it all the more clear why, once again, we chose to work with Iver.

“Early on in the process of creating the album, our vision for “Contrapasso” had much more of a thematic concept, and we think this comes through in the form of a more unified (though quite diverse) album. We’re not going to go too much into the meaning of the lyrics, but you could call it a darker counterpart to “City of the Sun”.   Darker not only in concept, but also darker and heavier in sound, but with an even bigger dynamic range. In many ways it’s weirder and more experimental, while still sounding 100% like SEVEN IMPALE.”

Formed in Bergen, Norway in 2010, SEVEN IMPALE’s relatively young 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.   What sets the band apart from many of the new arrivals on the scene is the sheer diversity of musical disciplines that the members bring with them.  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.

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

SEVEN IMPALE’s “City of the Sun” can be heard below and at http://sevenimpale.bandcamp.com/album/city-of-the-sun

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Tracks from Karisma Records releases, can be heard at https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sevenimpale
Bandcamp:  http://sevenimpale.bandcamp.com
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/sevenimpale
NRK: http://www.nrk.no/urort/Artist/SevenImpale/default.aspx
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 Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/
Karisma Records BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/music
Karisma Records KlickTrack Store:  http://shop.klicktrack.com/karismadarkessencerecords

Airbag PR1

Photo by Anne-Marie Forker/www.forkerfotos.com

Now that the release date of the 10th June for “Disconnected” is  very close, Norwegian Prog Rockers AIRBAG have released a third video teaser for their fourth full-length album, which will be out on Karisma Records.  The short, and very tantalising teaser, can be seen below, and on the band’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/ajfgbro-mAE


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With a lineup consisting of Bjørn Riis (guitars, keyboards, backing vocals, bass, co-producer), Asle Tostrup (vocals, keyboards, programming, producer, graphic design), Henrik Fossum (drums), Jørgen Hagen (programming, keyboards) and Anders Hovdan (bass), AIRBAG was Formed in 2004.  Since then the band’s reputation has gained a solid, and ever increasing,  following amongst prog fans the world-over, whilst  their three previous full-length releases, “Identity” (2009),  “All Right Removed” (2011) and “The Greatest Show on Earth” (2013), have received much critical acclaim.

Produced by Asle Tostrup and Bjørn Riis, and with long-time collaborator and engineer Vegard Sleipnes once again on board, “Disconnected” sees AIRBAG continuing to develop the sound that blends different musical styles with soaring guitars and soulful vocals to create lush soundscapes .  AIRBAG’s music has been described as “scenic, epic rock”, and it is that, and more.

“Disconnected” takes as its theme the sense of  alienation that exists between the individual and society and  each of the six compositions depicts the state of feeling on ‘the outside’ and out of touch with oneself and those around us.  Artwork  for the album is  designed by vocalist Tostrup

TRACKLIST
1.     Killer
2.     Broken
3.     Slave
4.     Sleepwalker
5.     Disconnected
6.     Returned

Airbag Disconnected PR1

AIRBAG will be performing a release show at the John Dee in Oslo, Norway, on the 10th June.  Tickets available from http://www.ticketmaster.no/event/airbag-oak-billetter/495325

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

“Killer” the opening track from “Disconnected” can be heard below and at http://airbagsound.bandcamp.com/track/killer


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AIRBAG’s “Disconnected” is available in CD, double 12″ vinyl and digital download formats on Karisma Records and can be pre-order in both CD and 12″ vinyl format from http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/artist/airbag   as well as in both formats or digital download from https://airbagsound.bandcamp.com

A video of AIRBAG playing “All Rights Removed” live in Oslo when the band supported Marillion on the Scandinavian leg of their world tour can be seen below and at http://youtu.be/iwK_hpJAPPA


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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Website: www.airbagsound.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airbagsound
MySpace: www.myspace.com/airbagsound
YouTube: www.youtube.com/airbagsound
Airbag Management: Jørn Terje Larsen,  jt@airbagsound.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 Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/
Karisma Records BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/music
Karisma Records KlickTrack Store:  http://shop.klicktrack.com/karismadarkessencerecords

 

Airbag PR1

With “Disconnected”, the fourth full-length album from Norwegian Prog Rockers AIRBAG, set to hit the streets on the 10th June, Karisma Records have today  debuted  the album’s opening track, “Killer”, which can be heard exclusively on the following:

Team Rock at  http://teamrock.com/news/2016-05-03/airbag-premiere-new-track-killer

Rock Hard at https://www.rockhard.de/news/newsarchiv/newsansicht/43717-airbag-feiern-killer-songpremiere.html

“Disconnected”  takes AIRBAG’s trademark blending of musical styles, combined with lush soundscapes, soaring guitars and soulful vocals, a step further along the band’s musical journey, whilst lyrically each of the six tracks explore the sense of alienation that exists between the individual and society

As guitarist Bjorn Riis explains:   “Killer was one of the first songs written for “Disconnected”.  I had this idea of this ruthless corporate guy who uses everyone to gain success. Sort of Bateman from American Psycho meets Wall Street’s Gordon Gekko. He’s outside, or disconnected from, the rules of our society”.

“Musically, Killer is slightly different from what we’ve done before. There’s more emphasis on the drums, different rhythm patterns and electronic elements, and it really was a band effort, where everyone was contributing ideas and trying out new stuff”.

“Disconnected, sees Airbag once again team up with long-time collaborator and engineer Vegard Sleipnes. The album is produced by Asle Tostrup and Bjørn Riis, and, as always, the artwork is  designed by vocalist Tostrup.

TRACKLIST
1.     Killer
2.     Broken
3.     Slave
4.     Sleepwalker
5.     Disconnected
6.     Returned

Airbag Disconnected PR1

Formed in 2004 AIRBAG’s lineup consists of Bjørn Riis (guitars, keyboards, backing vocals, bass, co-producer), Asle Tostrup (vocals, keyboards, programming, producer, graphic design), Henrik Fossum (drums), Jørgen Hagen (programming, keyboards) and Anders Hovdan (bass).  The band’s music is best described as scenic, epic rock, and with three hugely successful album releases, “Identity” (2009),  “All Right Removed” (2011) and “The Greatest Show on Earth” (2013), AIRBAG has gained a solid following and reputation among both fans and the press.

AIRBAG will be performing a release show at the John Dee in Oslo, Norway, on the 10th June.  Tickets available from http://www.ticketmaster.no/event/airbag-oak-billetter/495325

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 playing “All Rights Removed” live in Oslo when the band supported Marillion on the Scandinavian leg of their world tour can be seen below and at http://youtu.be/iwK_hpJAPPA


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Three tracks from AIRBAG including “The Greatest Show On Earth” can be heard below and at http://soundcloud.com/karisma-records/sets/airbag-on-karisma-records


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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Website: www.airbagsound.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airbagsound
MySpace: www.myspace.com/airbagsound
YouTube: www.youtube.com/airbagsound
Airbag Management: Jørn Terje Larsen,  jt@airbagsound.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 Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/
Karisma Records BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/music
Karisma Records KlickTrack Store:  http://shop.klicktrack.com/karismadarkessencerecords