Posts Tagged ‘Norway’

DARK ESSENCE RECORDS TO RELEASE ORIGINAL DEMO FROM NORWEGIAN BLACK METALLERS TILINTETGJORT

Posted: November 10, 2023 in Uncategorized
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When a label adds an artist to its roster there could be any number of reasons why that particular artist was chosen – from a known history, to a newly recorded album, to a live appearance, etc.  In the case of Norwegian Black Metallers TILINTETGJORT, Dark Essence Records interest in the band was piqued by their 2022 demo “Kvikksølvdrømmer – Demo 1”.

Finding that TILINTETGJORT fitted in perfectly with Dark Essence Records musical ethos, and purely on the strength of that demo, the band was welcomed on board that same year, even before they had begun recording  their debut full-length album, which would emerge in early 2023 as “In Death I Shall Arise”.

Now, with 2023 drawing to a close, Dark Essence Records will release that very same demo in Digital format on the 10th November, and tracklisting for “Kvikksølvdrømmer – Demo 1”, is as follows:

1. Vinter Og Høst
2. The Wanderer
3. Slakt
4. Blackened Earth
5. Kvikksølvdrømmer
6. Realms at War

“Kvikksølvdrømmer – Demo 1” is now available for download or streaming at a number of services at

https://link.darkessencerecords.no/Tilintetgjort-Kvikksolvdrommer

One of the most exciting bands to have recently hit Oslo’s Black Metal scene, TILINTETGJORT blur the line between insanity and reality with nightmarish visions that are filled with arcane mysteries and alchemical madness.

Fiercely passionate about what they do, TILINTETGJORT’s lineup of Gamle and Hazzlegard on guitars, Sturt on bass, Tybalt on drums and Svik on vocals, have, since the band’s inception in 2020, honed their skills, formulating their own brand of Avant-garde Black Metal that finds its inspiration in ’70’s Prog, and various other experimental genres, along with ’90’s Black Metal.

With more than their fair share of creativity TILINTETGJORT’s avowed intent is to break down the walls of a genre that is largely stagnating, embarking on a journey to seek out the truth in a widely delusional world, whilst offering to lead the listeners through the mysteries of knowledge and death. 

TILINTETGJORT’s have been confirmed to appear at Inferno Metal Festival, Oslo, Norway in March 2024, and more information about the band can be found Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tilintetgjortnor  or website at https://tilintetgjort.no

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TILINTETGJORT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tilintetgjortnor
Website: https://tilintetgjort.no
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tilintetgjortnor/
Band Contact: tilintetgjort@gmail.com
DARK ESSENCE RECORDS
Dark Essence contact: post@karismarecords.no 
Dark Essence Records: www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darkessencerecords
Dark Essence Records Bandcamp:  http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/
Dark Essence Records YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/DarkEssenceRecords
Dark Essence Records Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkessencerecords/
Dark Essence Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarkEssenceRec
Dark Essence SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records
Dark Essence Records Webshop: https://www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence Records North American Webshop:  https://darkessence.indiemerch.com
Dark Essence Records Australian Webshop:  https://www.heavymetalmerchant.com/bands/d/dark-essence-records/

KARISMA RECORDS DEBUTS NEW SINGLE FROM  BOOK II OF THE CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN’S AIROEA FANTASY TRILOGY

Posted: November 8, 2023 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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In the second instalment of the trilogy that make up his “Chronicles”, the intrepid Father Robin continues on his journey through the fantastical world of Airoea, this time making a trip to the underwater city of Oriasaleah and over the Sea of Ayrouhr to the Grand Reef , where he inevitably faces grave danger at the hands of the island people.

What awaits him there will be fully revealed on the 8th December, when “The Songs & Tales of Airoea – Book II “Ocean Traveller – Metamorphosis”   by Prog Rockers THE CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN (TCOFR for short), is released on Karisma Records.

But before then, the label has granted us another insight into Father Robin’s latest adventures with the release of the single “Ocean Traveller”, a firm favourite of everyone who hears it

“Ocean Traveller” can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of sources at

https://link.karismarecords.no/TCOFR_OceanTraveller

Having risen from the ashes of FANGORN back in 1993- 94, THE CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN sprang into existence when  WOBBLER frontman Andreas W. S. Prestmo was joined in a new musical endeavor by childhood friends Jon and Henrik, with whom he shared an interest in folk tales, mythology, fantasy literature, psychedelia and adventurous music.

Featuring  members from some of the most revered progressive rock bands from Norway, WOBBLER, JORDSJØ, TUSMØRKE, and seasoned post-rockers THE SAMUEL JACKSON FIVE TCOFE set about creating a whole world which they bring to life with the kind of lush and varied soundscapes that evoke memories of the golden era of progressive rock.

Like most good things, “The Songs & Tales of Airoea” Trilogy did not happen overnight, but rather over a period of three decades.  Time enough to perfect the use of a variety of  instruments, such as flute, mellotron and glockenspiel, alongside more traditional rock instruments, coupled with a production that is both dynamic and organic.

The resultant Airoea trilogy  forms a concept album that features 18 songs spread out over the three albums, with Book II following on directly from Book I which was released in September of this year.  Contributors on the trilogy include the likes of 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.

“The Songs & Tales of Airoea – Book II will be released in CD, Digital and LP formats, and the entire Trilogy is available as a Deluxe Limited Edition Triple Coloured Vinyl Box Set on Old Oak Records.

Tracklisting on “The Songs & Tales of Airoea – Book II” is as follows:

07. Over Westwinds
08. Orias & the Underwater City
09. Ocean Traveller
10. Lady of Waves
11. Green refreshments
12. The Grand Reef

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 

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

KARISMA RECORDS RELEASES TRACK FROM UPCOMING ARABS IN ASPIC BACK CATALOGUE TRILOGY

Posted: November 1, 2023 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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The 1st December will see Karisma Records release the final three albums from the Back Catalogue of Prog Rockers ARABS IN ASPIC, and, as a prequel, the label has released, the title track from the band’s sixth album “The Magic of Sin” as a digi single. 

The single, can be downloaded or streamed from a number of services at:

https://link.karismarecords.no/AIA_TheMagicOfSin

“The Magic of Sin” itself  was an album that marked a turning point in the band’s career, setting the parameters, both musically and structurally, for the direction that ARABS IN ASPIC would take going forward. Like all the albums in the Back Catalogue re-releases, it has been re-mastered  by Jacob Holm-Lupo (WHITE WILLOW, OPIUM CARTEL, SOLSTEIN etc), and features artwork by the band’s long-time collaborator Julia Proszowska.

Following on from the 2021 re-release of the first three albums from the band’s back-catalogue, those included in this, the final trilogy of releases, are:

“Pictures in a Dream” which was originally released in 2013, and will now be available in CD, Digital and Limited Edition Blue/Yellow marble Vinyl formats.

2015’s “Victims of your Father’s Agony” which will be available in CD, Digital and Limited Edition Yellow/Blue Marble Vinyl formats.

And, of course, the afore-mentioned “The Magic of Sin”. First released in 2017, it is a very special album for ARABS IN ASPIC, for reasons too numerous to go into. Suffice it to say that its re-release deserves a special treatment.  Thus,  aside from the usual CD and Digital formats, “The Magic of Sin” will also be available in the form of a limited first pressing of the LP version in orange/black marble vinyl which comes in a unique tri-fold cover revealing more of Julia Proszowska’s striking cover art. If its  combined with the original  “Syndenes Magi” LP, all five panels of the painting will be visible.

All three albums will also be available as a Limited Edition Box Set vinyl titled “IV – VI”

All  versions of all the albums can now be pre-ordered from:

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

Full details and history of each of the individual releases can be found at https://www.karismarecords.no/blog/2023/10/10/karisma-records-announces-details-of-three-back-catalogue-re-releases-from-arabs-in-aspic/

With a lineup  consisting of Jostein Smeby on Guitars + vocals, Stig Jørgensen on Organs + vocals, Erik Paulsen on Bass + vocals, Eskil Nyhus on Drums + cymbals and Alessandro G. Elide on Percussion + gongs,  and based  in Trondheim, Norway, the band’s roots can be traced back to the Golden Era of rock.

Given that they have seven full-length albums to their name (their seventh, “Madness and Magic” having been released on Karisma Records in 2020), ARABS IN ASPIC are certainly not newcomers to the prog scene.  Indeed, they have  been at  the forefront of 70’s inspired progressive rock and proto-hard rock for fifteen years. 

ARABS IN ASPIC’s unmistakable sound is mix of loud, heavy guitars and drums, 12 string acoustics, funky bass and percussion, screaming Hammond organs, soft Rhodes, Mellotrons and 70’s Synths, topped with plentiful vocal harmonies.  It’s an all-encompassing sound that includes aspects of classic rock, funk, pop, prog, heavy rock, bossanova, and a capella.  

ARABS IN ASPIC’s next live appearance will be on the 11th November, alongside Dark Essence Records artist LUMSK, at the Verkstedhallen & Lobbyen in Trondheim, Norway.

More information about ARABS IN ASPIC can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/arabsinaspic/ or on their website at  http://www.arabsinaspic.org/

A video of Arabs in Aspic live can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/v3jekw2m19c

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ARABS IN ASPIC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arabsinaspic/
Website: http://www.arabsinaspic.org/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/arabsinaspic YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/dragedraug
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

BLACK METAL VETERANS KOLDBRANN INK DEAL WITH DARK ESSENCE RECORDS. LTD ED VINYL KICKS OFF COLLABORATION

Posted: October 26, 2023 in DARK ESSENCE RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Dark Essence Records have welcomed Norwegian Black Metal veterans KOLDBRANN to their roster, and are ready to release the band’s fourth full-length album in the spring of 2024.  Before then, however, fans will get a taste of some new material from the band, in the shape of a two-track, limited edition, 7″ vinyl single.

Known for their uncompromising take on Black Metal, and with a fearsome “backs to the world” attitude, KOLDBRANN have been at the forefront of the Norwegian Black Metal underground scene since the band was first formed in 2001.

Led by Mannevond’s characteristic pitch black raw vocals and Kvass’ clever Norwegian lyrics, KOLDBRANN have, from day one, delivered their obscure and unique riffs, unsullied by any trends.  The band’s studio output matches perfectly with their notoriety on stage.

Commenting on their upcoming collaborations with Dark Essence Records, the band had this to say:

KOLDBRANN are elated to announce that we have entered into a pact with the esteemed Dark Essence Records, one of Norway’s premier extreme metal labels.  After twenty years abroad, it was about time we brought our music home!

Our fourth full-length album is mastered, and all the sordid details will be revealed in due course, but, while we wait, we are excited to be able to serve you up a proper taste of what is to come on the 1st December, when our single will hit the streets.

The two tracks on the single were both recorded during the same studio sessions as the upcoming album, and are accompanied by some disturbing artwork by the talented Salowe Vision.

The single includes the tracks “Den 6. Massedød (Manna fra en annen himmel)” on the A side and, “Inhumanitær Inngripen” on the B side and will be available in Oxblood Red 7″ vinyl format, limited to 500 copies, as well as digitally.

It is now available to pre-order from both Dark Essence Records and directly from the band at:

Webshop: https://darkessencerecords.no/shop/
Koldbrann Webshop:  https://koldbrann.bigcartel.com
US Webshop: https://darkessence.indiemerch.com/
Koldbrann Bandcamp: https://koldbrann.bandcamp.com

Aside from Mannevond on Guitars and Vocals, and Kvass on Guitars, KOLDBRANN’s lineup today includes Voidar on Guitars, Leonid Melnikov on Drums, and John Grave on live Bass.

KOLDBRANN’s next live appearance will be as follows:

2023
02 Dec:  Pest Fest, Copenhagen, Denmark
09 Dec:  Eindhoven Metal Meeting, Netherlands
15/16 Dec: December Darkness, Norrköping, Sweden
2024
28-31 Mar: Inferno Metal Festival, Oslo, Norway

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

A video of KOLDBRANN performing live at Wacken in 2014 can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/dp9t1uRSEBI?si=HUang98CO_Qz2QYs

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Koldbrann on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/koldbrannofficial
Koldbrann on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koldbrann_offisiell
Koldbrann Webshop: https://koldbrann.bigcartel.com
Koldbrann Contact: kontakt@koldbrann.net
Koldbrann Booking: info@district-19.com
Dark Essence contact: post@karismarecords.no 
Dark Essence Records: www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darkessencerecords
Dark Essence Records Bandcamp:  http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/
Dark Essence Records YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/DarkEssenceRecords
Dark Essence Records Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkessencerecords/
Dark Essence Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarkEssenceRec
Dark Essence SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records
Dark Essence Records Webshop: https://www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence Records North American Webshop:  https://darkessence.indiemerch.com
Dark Essence Records Australian Webshop:  https://www.heavymetalmerchant.com/bands/d/dark-essence-records/

NORWEGIAN ROCKERS WIZRD RELEASE BLACK SABBATH COVER SINGLE

Posted: October 20, 2023 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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When Karisma Records released WIZRD’s debut full-length album “Seasons”  in the autumn of 2022, they introduced to the world a band who chose to include all the best, and most interesting, aspects of Rock,  Indie,  Jazz and Prog within their sound –  and then proceeded to break a few rules.   The result was an album that was filled with beautiful vocal harmonies, stunning melodies, quirky jazz grooves and a rock’n’roll drive to die for.

Now, having begun work on their next album, WIZARD and Karisma Records have once again come together, this time to release a cover of the seminal BLACK SABBATH track “The Wizard”.   As the band explains:

Hello hooray! While we are busy recording our second album, we thought it would be good to bring you all a little nugget. This song was a part of our set list a few years back, when we did some shows where the audience could vote and choose in advance what kind of artists we should do a cover of. We all love Black Sabbath. Duh, who doesn’t!? This track is a blast to play, and somehow we feel some kind of kinship to it…and not only because of the title! 

We hope you will enjoy it. Here it is; “The Wizard” by Black Sabbath, à la WIZRD!

“The Wizard”, which is only available in Digi format can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at

https://link.karismarecords.no/WIZRD-The-Wizard

WIZRD’s lineup is comprised of  Hallvard Gaardløs (SPIDERGAWD, DRAKEN and more) on bass and lead vocals, Karl Bjorå (MEGALODON COLLECTIVE and more) on guitar and vocals, Vegard Lien Bjerkan (SOFT FFOG and more) on keyboards and vocals, and Axel Skalstad (KROKOFANT, SOFT FFOG and more) on drums.

Having met whilst studying at the Jazz Conservatory in Trondheim, each of the band’s four members bring with them a variety of influences and skills, thereby allowing them to test the limits of their musical horizons –  something they don’t hesitate in doing. 

Norwegian fans of WIZRD will have the chance to see the band live before the end of the year when they are scheduled to play the following dates:

28 Oct:  Victoria, Bergen
17 Nov: Energimølla, Kongsberg
25 Nov:  Værfast, Horten

Whilst booking has already commenced for 2024 with a show at Postkontoret in Oslo on the 6th April

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

A video of the band in the studio, rehearsing the track “All Is As It Should Be”, from their 2022 album “Seasons”,  by WIZRD ‘s producer, the Norwegian film score composer and JAGA JAZZIST drummer Martin Horntveth,  can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/kzP2VOduRCU?si=V56As-7dRKrZ2HU1

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/WIZRDTHEBAND/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/wizrdtheband/
BandCamp: https://wizrd.bandcamp.com/
Band Contact:  hallvardgaardlos@hotmail.com
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

LEGENDARY DRUMMER ERLAND DAHLEN RELEASES NEW SINGLE FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: September 29, 2023 in IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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When you’ve played on more than 300 albums, with a variety of artists including Norwegian Jazz legends such as NILS PETTER MOLVÆR, EIVIND AARSET, STIAN WESTERHUS and GEIR SUNDSTØL, together with bands and artists such as MADRUGADA, KAADA, JOHN PAUL JONES, ANE BRUN, ANNELI DRECKER, MARIT LARSEN and XPLODING PLASTIX, it’s inevitable that the desire to create and perform something of your own will emerge sooner or later. 

And indeed, so it was for legendary drummer ERLAND DAHLEN, who has joined with Is it Jazz? Records to release “Racoons”,  his fifth studio album, demonstrating that not only is he a versatile artist who can adapt his skills to the needs of other musicians, but that he is also a solo artist renowned for his creative ideas.  Ideas that make use of his ability to play a multitude of percussive instruments to create a massive, intricately layered sound, that is unmistakably his own.

And today, ahead of it’s 27 October release, Is it Jazz? Records brings us a second track from “Racoons” to pique our interest in the album.  Titled “Auto”, the track can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of sources at:

https://link.isitjazzrecords.no/ErlandDahlen_Auto

As Dahlen explains, “Auto” had unusual origins:

I based “Auto” on the drone from a Dulcimer Lute, which I combined with drums/percussion, synth, voices and electronics. In the intro you can hear an old tape recording of the Folk singer Knut Slettetveit, which my father recorded  in the late 80’s.  The title itself is an homage to the Kraut Rock era .

When he started recording his own music, Dahlen’s original idea had been to release just one solo album, this being 2012’s “Rolling Bomber”.  However, things didn’t go quite to plan, and  his solo work became more significant to him, something for which his fans are grateful. 

For his latest album, Dahlen both made, and used, a lot of unique instruments, as he explains:

On “Racoons” I play a lot of custom-made instruments. Lars Hurlen has built different log drums for the album, and Harald Hougaard has built a custom-made zither bass. I also use custom-made chromatic blossom bells, and different metal items, such as huge serving plates.

“Racoons”  was recorded with Bjarte Stensli in March 2023 at the Rainbow Studio in Oslo, with additional recording and mix by  Jens Petter Nilsen and Hallvard W. Hagen from Xploding Plastix.

With cover art by Tom Korsvold, tracklisting on “Racoons” is as follows:

  1. Sun Pt. 1
  2. Stride
  3. Auto
  4. Slow
  5. Mud
  6. Foggy
  7. Sun Pt. 2

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

Bandcamp: https://erlanddahlen.bandcamp.com/album/racoons 
Webshop: https://isitjazzrecords.no/shop/

Dahlen has received numerous industry awards for the albums on which he has appeared, including 13 Spelleman Awards, having been nominated an extraordinary total of 38 times.   He  can also be found behind the drumkit of a number of Norwegian and International film scores.  

More information about ERLAND DAHLEN can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063804630105 and https://www.facebook.com/erland.dahlen  
Or on the Artist Page at https://isitjazzrecords.no/artists/erland-dahlen/

Additional Information
Erland Dahlen
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063804630105
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/erland.dahlen 
Artist Page: https://isitjazzrecords.no/artists/erland-dahlen/
Band Contact: erlanddahlen@gmail.com
Is it Jazz? Records
Website:  https://isitjazzrecords.no/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/IsItJazzRecords/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isitjazzrecords/
Contact:  post@isitjazzrecords.no

PROG ROCKERS JORDSJØ RELEASE NEW SINGLE FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: September 8, 2023 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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“Salighet”, the fourth full-length album from Norwegian Prock Rockers JORDSJØ, sees multi-instrumentalist Håkon Oftung (TUSMØRKE, BLACK MAGIC, THE CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN) and drummer KRISTIAN FRØLAND continue on their musical journey that draws its inspiration from Nordic jazz and folk music, classical 1900s music, and sensory expanding 60s and 70s rock.

With “Salighet” set to hit the streets on the 6th October, and with the possibility of the album becoming one of the most significant Prog albums of 2023, Karisma Records have treated JORDSJØ fans, old and new, to a another glimpse, with the release of the single “Ura”, which can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of platforms at

https://link.karismarecords.no/Jordsjo_Ura

JORDSJØ explained how a mountain hike led to the creation of this particular track:

“Ura” (The Stone Pile) is based on a poem written after a mountain hike surrounded by fog and rain, and the feeling of losing track of the trail you follow. Even in familiar places where you have wandered countless times, nature can behave in ways that make you lose your way. Life itself can sometimes be perceived in the same way, and new roads and directions can appear out of the fog. The poem was written in the same form as old folk songs, so composing music and rhythms in the same fashion was a very natural process.

As to “Salighet” itself, by melding progressive rock with fantastic melodies and an added Folkish twist, JORDSJØ sets out to explore the various forms of ecstasy.  The album’s grand dynamics and dramatics  serving as a counterpoint to the mundane reality of everyday existence.

The desire to find mystery and alternate realities amongst all that is banal in our day to day lives is expressed through JORDSJØ’s music and lyrics – the colourful symphonic folk-rock sound bringing to life a dance or a a mountain hike, a fairytale or religious pondering or any other kinds of inner travels.

Mastered by Magnus Guldbrandsen at Jelöy Sound Mastering, and with artwork by Sindre Foss Skancke, track listing for  “Salighet”  is as follows:

01. Invokasjon
02. Sankeren
03. Salighet I
04. Salighet II
05. Ura
06. Danseritualer fra Jordsjø – Prosesjon & Ekstase
07. Stjernestigen

“Salighet”  will be released in CD, Digital, LP, and Limited Edition Transparent vinyl formats, and is now available to pre-order from:

Bandcamp: https://jordsjo.bandcamp.com/album/salighet
Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/
US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com/

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

A video of JORDSJØ  live in concert at Salt in Oslo in 2021 can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/17yyNaA14vo

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
JORDSJØ
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jordsjoe/
Bandcamp: https://jordsjo.bandcamp.com
Band Contact: jordsjoe@gmail.com
KARISMA RECORDS
Promo and other information: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records contact: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records Bandcamp: https://karismarecords.bandcamp.com
Karisma Records on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor
Karisma Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarismaRecords
Karisma on SoundCloud:  https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/

IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS REVEALS ALBUM DETAILS AND SINGLE FROM LEGENDARY DRUMMER ERLAND DAHLEN

Posted: August 25, 2023 in IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Having played on more than 300 albums with a wide range of artists from different genres, and with four solo albums to his name, drummer ERLAND DAHLEN is set to release his fifth studio album “Racoons” on Is It Jazz? Records on the 27th October.

Obviously, being so much in demand on such a wide variety of collaborations and sessions, it is clear that Dahlen is an artist with considerable skills, who is sensitive to the requirements of other musicians, and who is well able to adapt those skills to whatever the music requires. However,  he is also a renowned solo artist with his own creative ideas, and who, by using  a multitude of percussive instruments, is able to create a massive, intricately layered sound, that is all his own.

Over the years, Dahlen had accumulated so many musical ideas that didn’t fit in with any other projects, and he grew to realise that he needed a project that would allow him to record and play live for himself. 

Originally the plan had been to release just one solo album, 2012’s “Rolling Bomber”.  However,  since then this solo work has grown in importance for Dahlen, so much so, in fact, that for  “Racoons” he actually made and used a lot of unique instruments, as he explains:

I play a lot of custom-made instruments here.   Lars Hurlen has built different log drums for the album, and Harald Hougaard has built a custom-made zither bass. I also use custom-made chromatic blossom bells, and different metal items, such as huge serving plates.

Those eager to find out the kind of sound that these create ahead of the full-album release, can do so with the track “Foggy”, which can be streamed or downloaded from a variety of services at

https://link.isitjazzrecords.no/ErlandDahlen_Foggy

Dahlen had this to say about the track:

“Foggy” starts off with a drum groove that moves across a drum machine beat. The idea was to let the groove evolve and gradually add more elements in a repetitive drone-like landscape.

“Racoons”  was recorded with Bjarte Stensli in March 2023 at the Rainbow Studio in Oslo, with additional recording and mix by  Jens Petter Nilsen and Hallvard W. Hagen from Xploding Plastix.

With cover art by Tom Korsvold, tracklisting on “Racoons” is as follows:

  1. Sun Pt. 1
  2. Stride
  3. Auto
  4. Slow
  5. Mud
  6. Foggy
  7. Sun Pt. 2

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

Bandcamp: https://erlanddahlen.bandcamp.com/album/racoons 
Webshop: https://isitjazzrecords.no/shop/

Dahlen has received numerous industry awards for the albums on which he has appeared, including 13 Spelleman Awards, having been nominated an extraordinary total of 38 times.   He  can also be found behind the drumkit of a number of Norwegian and International film scores.

Some of the artists with whom he has played, either live or in the studio, include Norwegian Jazz legends such as NILS PETTER MOLVÆR, EIVIND AARSET, STIAN WESTERHUS and GEIR SUNDSTØL, together with bands and artists such as MADRUGADA, KAADA, JOHN PAUL JONES, ANE BRUN, ANNELI DRECKER, MARIT LARSEN and XPLODING PLASTIX, along with a host of others!

More information about ERLAND DAHLEN can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063804630105 and https://www.facebook.com/erland.dahlen  or on the Artist Page at https://isitjazzrecords.no/artists/erland-dahlen/

Additional Information
Erland Dahlen
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063804630105
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/erland.dahlen
Artist Page: https://isitjazzrecords.no/artists/erland-dahlen/
Band Contact: erlanddahlen@gmail.com
Is it Jazz? Records
Website:  https://isitjazzrecords.no/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/IsItJazzRecords/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isitjazzrecords/
Contact:  post@isitjazzrecords.no

KARISMA RECORDS ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE FIRST OF SIX RELEASES FROM THE BACK CATALOGUE OF PROG LEGENDS WHITE WILLOW

Posted: August 18, 2023 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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On the 3rd November Karisma Records will release “Ignis Fatuus” the 1995 debut album from Norwegian Prog legends WHITE WILLOW,  which will be the first of six out of the band’s seven studio album back catalogue that the label will release.

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. 

The two musicians had come together to see if they had any kind of songwriting chemistry, and, whilst sitting on the floor playing acoustic guitar and clavinet, the resultant track “Snowfall” proved that they did, indeed, have something going for them.

The band’s debut album “Ignis Fatuus” took the global progressive rock scene by storm, with 5000 copies selling out in record time, whilst stellar worldwide reviews and fan mail came pouring in and earned WHITE WILLOW  the accolade as “one of the most significant progressive groups of the current era” in Billboard’s “Guide to Progressive Music”.

Indeed WHITE WILLOW’s popularity was such that when the band attended the Los Angeles’ Progfest ’95, for what would be only their second ever live performance, they found themselves playing in front of an audience that numbered in the thousands and who had come specifically to see them.

The songs on “Ignis Fatuus” range from almost pure pastoral folk-rock, as on “Snowfall” and “Till He Arrives”, to out-and-out prog rock, as on “John Dee’s Lament” and “Cryptomenysis” (the latter featuring a guest appearance from VED BUENS ENDE’S Carl Michael Eide). It also included unusual experiments like the renaissance-inspired hymn “Song”, based on the poem by Christina Rossetti.

Whilst WHITE WILLOW didn’t, at the time, consider themselves a prog-rock band, more a folk-rock band that dabbled in symphonic arrangements, “Ignis Fatuus”  nevertheless became a classic amongst prog connoisseurs, and the prospect of its re-release has caused quite a buzz on the scene.

The  “Ignis Fatuus” re-release has been meticulously remastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo himself, and features the original classic cover art.   

Tracklisting is as follows:

1. Snowfall
2. Lord of Night
3. Song
4. Ingenting
5. The Withering of the Boughs
6. Lines on an Autumnal Evening
7. Now in these Fairy Lands
8. Piletreet
9. Till He Arrives
10. Cryptomenysis
11. Sighs
12. John Dee’s Lament

“Ignis Fatuus” will be released in CD, Digital and Limited Edition Double LP in orange/blue vinyl.  It can be pre-ordered from:

Bandcamp: https://whitewillow.bandcamp.com
Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/product/artist/  
US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com 

Whilst WHITE WILLOW has now become exclusively a studio project, helmed by Holm-Lupo and often featuring guest appearances from prominent musicians such as  Norway’s guitar hero Hedvig Mollestad, or internationally renowned klezmer clarinetist David Krakauer, the band’s history  has been somewhat complicated.

Band members have come and gone over the years  with only Holm-Lupo having remained with the band since its inception, whilst WOBBLERS Lars Fredrik Frøislie has been a mainstay since 2001. 

WHITE WILLOW’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.

As well as “Ignis Fatuus”, Karisma Records will also be releasing the following WHITE WILLOW albums:

Ex Tenebris – 1998
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 and at at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpoK4YUKYu0&ab_channel=BlankTV

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: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com

JAZZ VETERANS BUSHMAN’S REVENGE REVEAL NEW VIDEO FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: August 18, 2023 in IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Jazz Veterans BUSHMAN’S REVENGE are in celebratory mood this year as they  celebrate their twenty Year Anniversary with a new album and a tour. But with their appearance at the Oslo Jazzfestival coming up, they are giving everyone who cannot be there to see them play live, an insight into the new album with a video for the track “Last Cup of Zorro”.

The video for the “Last Cup of Zorro” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/ZF4HVzH0gQQ

When Even Helte Hermansen on Guitar,  Rune Nergaard on  Bass, and Gard Nilssen on Drums got together to form BUSHMAN’S REVENGE, the Norwegian trio set out on a journey of exploration and experimentation that would lead to the creation of a sound that can only be described as their own.

Winning plaudits from both fans and critics, BUSHMAN’S REVENGE have honed their art and become a band that makes full use of the vital energy found in the Rock genre, but they take it further by giving in to the freedom that comes with the use of jazz elements. 

Their new album, and the band’s eleventh full-length, is titled “All The Better For Seeing You”, and marks a new peak for BUSHMAN’S REVENGE, showing just how good this band is in the studio. 

With artwork by Per Spjøtvold,  “All The Better For Seeing You”  will be released on Is It Jazz? Records on the 8th September in CD, Digital and Green Vinyl formats.  Tracklisting is as follows:

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

“All The Better For Seeing You” is available to pre-order now from:

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

**  By using sing the code “bushman” when Pre-ordering “All The Better For Seeing You” through the Is It Jazz? Records Webshop you will be entitled to a  30% discount on all other Is it Jazz? Records releases.

As a live band BUSHMAN’S REVENGE have a well-deserved reputation for demonstrating an explosive energy and a quasi-telepathic ability that ensures some very interesting interplay between its members. This skill will be very much in evidence during the upcoming Anniversary tour, whose routing is as follows:

BUSHMAN’S REVENGE 20th ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2023

“All The Better For Seeing You”

19.08.- Blå, Oslojazz (NO) *
19.09.- Rommet, Bergen (NO)
20.09.-Apollon, Bergen (NO)
21.09.- Inderøy jazzforum (NO)
22.09.- PØKK, Trondheim (NO)
23.09.- Munkehaugen, Arendal (NO)
24.09.- Union Scene, Drammen (NO)
05.11.- Karensminde Kulturhus, Copenhagen (DK) **
06.11.- TBA, Hamburg (GER)
09.11.- Sarajevo Jazzfestival (BA)
10.11.- Bimhuis, Amsterdam (NL)
11.11.- Rockit, Groningen (NL)
12.11.- Comment Dire- Dialograum Kreuzung an Sankt Helena, Bonn (GER)
07.12.- Nasjonal Jazzscene, Oslo (NO)

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

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

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