With less than two weeks to go before the release of “Wheels Within Wheels”, the third full-length album from the Norwegian Alternative Pop Orchestra MEER, Karisma Records have released another single from an album that epitomises the band’s eclectic sound.
Titled “Today Tonight Tomorrow”, the track can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at:
It is a song that many listeners will be able to relate to, and this is what the band had to say about it:
Set against a backdrop of shadows and light, “Today Tonight Tomorrow” captures the essence of longing and desire. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a protagonist on the edge of the light, yearning to be a part of something greater than themselves. With haunting vocals and ethereal instrumentation, the song beckons listeners to join the journey, as the protagonist grapples with feelings of isolation and uncertainty.
The album itself represents a large step forward for MEER. It is an ambitious and immersive work that blends symphonic prog with intelligent pop, and allows the band to showcase an exceptional level of musicianship that is accentuated by intricate vocal harmonies and majestic melodies.
Set for release on the 23rd August, “Wheels Within Wheels” will be available in CD, Digital, and Ltd Edition Double LP in Neon Magenta / Grimace Purple Vinyl formats, and can now be pre-ordered from:
With each individual member of MEER bringing their own musical styles and interests to bear in “Wheels Within Wheels”, the album is a testament to the band’s ability to effortlessly transcend genre-boundaries by blending introspective lyrics with enthralling musical arrangements.
With artwork by Helena Haglund and Simen Sandbæk Skari, and a running time of just over an hour, “Wheels Within Wheels” reunited MEER with producer Lars Gärtner Fremmerlid and was recorded at Ocean Sound Recordings in 2023.
Track listing for “Wheels Within Wheels” is as follows:
01. Chains of Changes 02. Behave 03. Take Me to the River 04. Come to Light 05. Golden Circle 06. Today Tonight Tomorrow 07. World of Wonder 09. Mother 10. Something in the Water 11. This is the End
Formed in Hamar, Norway, in 2008, MEER’s lineup now consists of eight members, including Johanne Kippersund on vocals, Knut Kippersund on vocals, Eivind Strømstad on guitar, Åsa Ree on violin, Ingvild Nordstoga Eide on viola, Ole Gjøstøl on keyboards, Morten Strypet on bass and Mats Lillehaug on drum.
Fans will be able to see MEER live at the following events (more to follow):
A video by Birk Rønningsbakken Groven, with its moody lighting by Kåre Nordseth, for the track “Golden Circle” from “Wheels Within Wheels”, can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/K9pQ1bz2c20
With the release of the album “Wheels Within Wheels” from Pop Proggers MEER on the horizon, Karisma Records have today released not only the details of the album, but also a single and video of the track “Golden Circle” which will give fans a taste of what to expect from the band’s much anticipated third full-length album.
With its infectious hooks, “Golden Circle” showcases MEER’s unique blend of musical prowess and emotional depth, along their ability to captivate audiences. The combination of soft, serenade-like tones and an undeniable heaviness, and with quite possibly the band’s most catchy chorus to date, this is a rock anthem in the making.
Exploring the depths of longing and desire, “Golden Circle’s” lyrics paint a vivid picture of a protagonist grappling with inner turmoil, seeking solace in fleeting moments of euphoria. and can be downloaded or streamed from a number of services at:
Whilst the video, by Birk Rønningsbakken Groven, with its moody lighting by Kåre Nordseth, can be seen below:
Formed in Hamar, Norway, in 2008, by the charismatic sibling duo of Johanne and Knut Kippersund, MEER’s lineup has grown to eight members, each of whom has brought with them their own musical styles and interests, complementing and influencing each other so that the band’s music has become fascinatingly eclectic.
So, with Johanne Kippersund on vocals, Knut Kippersund on vocals, Eivind Strømstad on guitar, Åsa Ree on violin, Ingvild Nordstoga Eide on viola, Ole Gjøstøl on keyboards, Morten Strypet on bass and Mats Lillehaug on drums, “Wheels Within Wheels” promises to be a masterclass in the blending of symphonic prog and intelligent pop, filled with exceptional musicianship, intricate vocal harmonies, and grandiose melodies.
It is also clear that “Wheels Within Wheels”, whose title symbolises the hidden complexities beneath the surface, represents a significant evolution for MEER, featuring, as it does, tracks that reach soaring heights interspersed with moments of intimate reflection.
Reuniting with producer Lars Gärtner Fremmerlid, MEER recorded “Wheels Within Wheels” at Ocean Sound Recordings in 2023. With artwork by Helena Haglund and Simen Sandbæk Skari, track listing on “Wheels Within Wheels” is as follows:
01. Chains of Changes 02. Behave 03. Take Me to the River 04. Come to Light 05. Golden Circle 06. Today Tonight Tomorrow 07. World of Wonder 09. Mother 10. Something in the Water 11. This is the End
With a running time of just over an hour, MEER’s most ambitious, dynamic and immersive work to date will be released on the 23 August 2024 in CD, Digital and Ltd Edition Double LP in Neon Magenta / Grimace Purple Vinyl formats, and is now available to pre-order from:
When they first got together in 2012, Tor-Helge Skei (MANES, MANII etc.) and Anna Murphy (CELLAR DARLING, ex-ELUVEITIE) had it in mind that LETHE would act as a home for their musical and artistic aspirations. Which is precisely what happened. And now, two much-admired albums later, the Swiss/Norwegian duo are ready with their third full-length album “Alienation”.
Ahead of its release on Dark Essence Records on the 26th April, a second track from “Alienation” has been released. Titled “Éternel” the single can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at:
The album is pretty varied, and it’s difficult to select a few songs to represent it as a whole.. but, trying to show some different sides of it, here’s a slightly ‘sharper’ and more energetic song this time, featuring the usual suspects – Eivind Fjøseide on guitars, Tor Arne Helgesen on drums, plus Pierre Ripka on vocals… enjoy! Become Alienated!
Named after one of the five rivers of Hades in Greek mythology, LETHE was built on the premise that the music created by the duo would follow only one rule, and that is that there would be no rules, no expectations and no compromises, thus allowing the band to experiment with their sound at every possible level.
LETHE’s music is therefore quite unique and very personal. A 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.
It is a sound that has variously been described as “genre-bending”, “style-bastardization”, “eclectic”, and even “just plain weird”, resulting in LETHE being able to straddle a variety of disciplines, without having to fit themselves into any one in particular. Something that has drawn fans of all kinds of genres to the band.
“Alienation” itself took longer to appear given the circumstances that affected so much new music over the past few years, and it continues to explore LETHE’s idiosyncratic soundscapes, whilst at the same time giving Tor-Helge and Anna the freedom to explore new avenues, as they explain:
The 3rd chapter of the Lethe saga is, as always, 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..
Track listing on “Alienation”, which features guest appearances by members of ATROX, MANES, THE 3RD and THE MORTAL, and artwork by Tom Korsvold. is as follows:
Anhedonia
Brighter
When it’s Over
Éternel
Crossroads
Sedator
Erosion
Worm
“Alienation” will be released in CD, Digital and Limited Edition Purple Vinyl formats, and is now available to pre-order from:
A video for the previously released single “Erosion”, comprised of clips taken from ‘Point of Return’ (University of Oklahoma), can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/PGzLIT3K8DE
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:
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:
“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..
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:
“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:
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.
ARABS IN ASPIC are no newcomers to the prog scene, having been at the forefront of 70’s inspired progressive rock and proto-hard rock for fifteen years. Based in Trondheim, Norway, the band’s roots can be traced to the Golden Era of rock, with a sound that is a 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.
With seven full-length albums to their name, the lineup 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, include, within their sound, aspects of classic rock, funk, pop, prog, heavy rock, bossanova, and a capella.
When ARABS IN ASPIC signed to Karisma Records for the release of the band’s seventh full-length album “Madness and Magic”, it was the labels intention to also release the entire ARABS IN ASPIC back-catalogue. With the first three albums having been released in 2021, Karisma is now ready to release the next three albums on the 1st December, not only as individual albums, but also as a limited edition box set which comes just in time for Prog fans wishing to give (or receive) something special for Christmas.
First up we have “Pictures in a Dream”, ARABS IN ASPIC’s fourth album, originally released in 2013 on Black Widow Records. The band’s love of experimenting with sounds and recording methods is at the forefront, along with some rather unconventional use of microphones to capture the sound in the studio itself, rather than directly from the source. For example nine microphones are used on the Hammond organ alone. The inevitable result of this was the need for a lot of tweaking, and not so much control, and very much a different kind of sound for 2013.
The re-release itself is based on all of the original recordings, but everything has been re-edited and remixed from scratch, thereby removing some of the pitfalls that came with having so many microphones in the room. Some of the vocals/lyrics have been replaced with lyrics from the archives, along with some new ideas, and a few instrumental overdubs, rendering the album even better than its predecessor.
Remastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo (WHITE WILLOW, OPIUM CARTEL, SOLSTEIN etc) “Pictures in a Dream” also sees the band changing the song sequence to make a new listening experience that creates quite a different mood.
“Pictures in a Dream” will be available in CD, Digital and Limited Edition Blue/Yellow Vinyl formats. With artwork by Julia Proszowska, and RUPHUS vocalist Rune Sundby guesting on two songs, tracklisting is as follows:
Rejected Wasteland / Pictures in a Dream (feat. Rune Sundby)
Let Us Pray
You Are Blind
Felix
Ta et steg til siden
Difference in Time
Lifeguard@sharkbay
Prevail to Fail (feat. Rune Sundby)
Hard to Find
Vi møtes sikkert igjen
Next up is the fifth album from ARABS IN ASPIC “Victim of your Father’s Agony”, which first saw the light of day in 2015, again on Black Widow Records, and which has now also been re-edited and remixed from scratch, with a change in the song sequence and instrumental overdubbing, and once again Jacob Holm-Lupo can be found at the remastering helm. It is possibly the band’s most diverse to date, due to the large numbers of songwriters on this particular release.
This new version of the album starts with a short instrumental inspired by the band’s first concert in France which took place at sunset, 300 meters from the most beautiful beaches of the Atlantic and in front of 2000 ecstatic prog nerds. “One”, is an oldie that didn’t quite fit on the previous couple of albums, but has been a staple in their live shows since 2009.
“Italian Class” started as an instrumental called “The Turk and the Italian Restaurant”. With no proper Italian vocabulary, the band cobbled together bits and pieces from the most well known Italian nursery rhymes and performed the song live at a festival, where some found it brilliant, and others were offended or embarrassed on the band’s behalf! “Sad Without You” is about the sudden realization that you’re eventually going to lose your loved ones, whilst “The Flight of the Halibut” features no less than 16 lead guitars in unison.
With artwork by Julia Proszowska, “Victim of your Father’s Agony”, will be available in CD, Digital and Limited Edition Blue/Yellow Vinyl formats, and tracklisting is as follows:
Saint-Palais-sur-Mer Part 1
One
Italian Class
God Requires Insanity
Saint-Palais-Sur-Mer Part 2
Sad Without You
Flight of the Halibut
Tv3
Victim of your Father’s Agony
And then we have what will be the sixth and final re-release, “The Magic of Sin”, which was originally titled “Syndenes magi” and was a turning point in the career of ARABS IN ASPIC. After “Pictures in a Dream” and “Victim of your Father’s Agony” the infrastructure of the “new Arabs” was set. They had lots of songs ready to go, but, after attending a spectacular KING CRIMSON gig in Oslo, the band decided that their new material wasn’t up to par, and they had to do better.
Returning to his home in Trondheim, Jostein Smeby wrote what was to become the 12-minute song “Syndenes Magi”. He called up cover artist Julia Proszowska and asked her to write down some keywords for a concept album. She delivered an excellent selection of keywords about anxiety, which inspired the composition of the rest of the album. Originally written in English, countless attempts to make the vocals blend in with the music failed and Smeby tried to write a verse in Norwegian instead, and there it was! Re-writing the rest of the lyrics in Norwegian, “Syndenes magi” was released on Apollon Records in the fall of 2017, and received a lot of international attention, despite having only Norwegian lyrics.
Regarding what has now become “The Magic of Sin”, which was once again remastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo in his Dude Ranch Studios, Jostein Smeby commented:
When it comes to the remix of the album, that is the hardest project we’ve ever done. We were really happy with the record – so if it was going to get remixed, then the result had to be even better. The band wasn’t entirely in agreement about a remix at all, but the composer had some unfinished business regarding English lyrics.
I tried singing the original English lyrics again. And it sounded just as bad as last time. What do you do then? Well, you delete all the Norwegian vocals and work until it gets better. Working with the remix and remaster of «The Magic of Sin» has taken more than twice the amount of time than writing, recording and mixing the original version took.
Obviously, since “The Magic of Sin” is something of a very special album to the band, for so many reasons, its new release also merits something a bit special, so, aside from the usual CD and Digital formats, the album will also be available in the form of a limited first pressing of the LP version in orange/black 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.
Tracklisting on “The Magic of Sin” is as follows:
The Magic of Sin
Down in Darkness Pt 2
Down in Darkness Pt 3
All three albums will also be available as a Limited Edition Box Set titled “IV – VI”
All versions of all the albums can now be pre-ordered from:
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
You can try and define LETHE and their music, but the probability that you will fall wide of the mark is pretty much guaranteed, because this duo don’t care about genre expectations or boundaries. What they do care about, deeply, is that there should be no rules, no expectations and no compromises.
Formed at the end of 2012 by Tor-Helge Skei (MANES, MANII etc.) and Anna Murphy (CELLAR DARLING, ex-ELUVEITIE), LETHE is a “home” for Anna and Tor-Helge’s musical and artistic experiments, which have developed into something personal and unique, and quite “different”.
Both lyrically and conceptually LETHE is, according to the band:
Like a journey through the ‘back alleys of the human mind/psyche’, through dreams and nightmares, paranoia, mental breakdown, inner darkness.. No religion, fantasy, or pretend play.. Real life, real experiences, real horror.
In an attempt to categorise LETHE’s heady brew of metal / triphop / electronic / pop / experimental sounds, terms such as “genre-bending”, “style-bastardization”, “eclectic”, and even “just plain weird” have been bandied around. But none of these can encompass what the duo, along with a long list of external contributors, have produced on their first two full-length albums: 2014’s “When Dreams Become Nightmares” and 2017’s “The First Corpse on the Moon”.
What LETHE’s third full-length album will produce will become clear later this year when it is set to be released on Dark Essence Records. Delayed due to the pandemic, the band are currently mixing, mastering and putting the finishing touches on the album, and all anyone will say about it is that fans should “Expect the unexpected”
Following on from the hugely successful release at the beginning of last year of “Playing House”, the second full-length album from the Alternative Pop Orchestra MEER, Karisma Records found themselves selling out of the vinyl version in record time.
With fans still clamouring for an LP, the label has decided to release a new Limited Edition vinyl re-press of “Playing House”, which has appeared in multiple “Best Of 2021” lists. Strictly limited to 500 copies, the re-press of “Playing House” will be available as a Red Vinyl Double LP.
Set for release on the 25th March it is now available to pre-order from:
To celebrate the upcoming release, MEER have released a live video of the band performing the track “Beehive”, which can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/TWPvmjQ2ouQ
It is a track about which the band had this to say:
Beehive has been a long-time favourite on our live sets, and we love how the album version turned out. It’s sensual, chaotic, powerful and definitely one of our most hard hitting songs. The cinematic strings, heavy guitars and arpeggiated synthesizers create a suggestive drive over which Johanne gets to belt her heart out. We often work together composing as a collective, and for “Beehive” drummer Mats came up with the opening piano riff and then the rest of the band added new parts, hooks and lyrics to it on several jams and rehearsals. We are thrilled to finally share this powerhouse with you!
With artwork by Helena Haglund and Simen Skar, “Playing House” was Recorded at Ocean Sound Recording and Tanken, with producer Lars Gärtner Fremmerlid (EINAR STRAY ORCHESTRA) at the helm. Tracklisting for “Playing House”, which is also available in CD and Digital formats, is as follows:
1. Picking Up the Pieces 2. Beehive 3. All at Sea 4. Songs of Us 5. Child 6. You were a Drum 7. Honey 8. Across the Ocean 9. She Goes 10. Where do We Go from Here? 11. Lay it Down Vinyl only bonus track: 12. Here I Go Again (Whitesnake cover)
Formed back in 2008 MEER was, at that time, simply a duo known as TED GLEN EXTENDED, but the band has now expanded its lineup to become a veritable orchestra whose eight members include Johanne Kippersund on vocals, Knut Kippersund on vocals, Eivind Strømstad on guitar, Åsa Ree on violin, Ingvild Nordstoga Eide on viola, Ole Gjøstøl on keyboards, Morten Strypet on bass and Mats Lillehaug on drums.
With such a large lineup, it was inevitable that a variety of styles and influences would find their way into MEER’s material, creating a sound that is an eclectic mix of orchestral pop, classical music and progressive rock. It is a massive sound comprised of fantastic melodies and harmonies, not to mention quite a few surprises along the way.
When a band’s members all come from backgrounds as diverse as classical piano, electronica, prog and hard-rock, and if they manage to pull it all together in a consummate fashion to create a unique sound, you would be safe to guess that the band was Norway’s OAK. And, with their latest full-length album “False Memory Archive” due out on Karisma Records on the 19th October, the Pop/Rockers have released the title track as a single, about which they have this to say:
If you are somewhat loose with everyone’s conception of what ‘Pop’ actually is, then the track “False Memory Archive” is the album’s pop leitmotif, which still unmistakably sounds like OAK. It also happens to be the album’s title track and, as such, it serves as a kind of introduction to the theme of the whole album. It is a song that appears light and happy in its expression, but all the while it still contains its fair share of darkness
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Since starting out as a folk-rock duo, and releasing their 2013 debut album “Lighthouse”, OAK’s lineup of Øystein Sootholtet (Bass, guitars, banjo, keys & programming), Simen Valldal Johannessen (vocals, piano, keys & lyrics), Sigbjørn Reiakvam (drums, percussion, programming & keys), Ole Michael Bjørndal (guitars) and Stephan Hvinden (guitars), have made considerable strides as both musicians and songwriters as their sophomore album demonstrates.
There is still a nod in the direction of the debut full-length, but “False Memory Archive” is both darker and groovier , whilst retaining that successful amalgam of sound that is neither wholly progressive pop, nor wholly progressive rock, but which is absolutely trademark OAK and is comprised of catchy elements and stunning vocal harmonies, which create that unique duality that defines them as a band.
“False Memory Archive” was recorded in Oslo at the Ljugekroken Studio and the Tøyen Church, and was mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren and OAK at the Fascination Studios. With front cover artwork by Lisa Love and design by Deformat, and featuring a guest appearance on guitars by Bjorn RIIS, tracklisting for “False Memory Archive” is as follows:
We, The Drowned
Claire De Lune
False Memory Archuve
Lost Causes (Bjorn Riis guesting on guitar)
Intermezzo
The Lights
These Are The Stars We’re Aiming For
Transparent Eyes
Psalm 51
“False Memory Archive” will be released in CD, Digital and Crystal Clear Vinyl formats, and is now available to pre-order at:
The following press released has been issued by Edged Circle Productions. Should you require any additional info please don’t hesitate to contact them atwww.edgedcircleproductions.com
Today, Edged Circle Productions sets October 26th as the North American release date for Lydia Laska‘s highly anticipated second album, Ego Death. The European release date is set for October 5th.
First track premiere to be revealed shortly. In the meantime, view a special/perverse teaser video below and at Edged Circle‘s official YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/_kAVeOHM8nQ
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Lydia Laska hail from Stavanger and Oslo, Norway. Forming in 2002, its members come from a diverse musical background, including (but certainly not limited to) the early black metal scene as well as prog/krautrock, punk, and good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll. The band’s recorded debut came in 2006 with the White Trash Attack EP, and was followed by two more EPs – We’re Nothing Compared to Ourselves (2007) and Could I Have a Go On Your Girl, Please? (2009) – but it wasn’t until their debut album in 2010, Krankenhaus, where the Lydia Laska aesthetic truly took flight. A devilishly dark, boldly bewildering, but above all perversely catchy sound emerged, drawing in such disparate influences as the Velvet Underground, Faust, David Bowie, Royal Trux, The Stooges, and old-school black metal. Not long after its release, Krankenhaus went on to be critically acclaimed and served as an admitted prime influence for fellow hybrid-benders Kvelertak. Continuing that momentum, Lydia Laska soon became notorious for their chaotic live shows – to the point where they actually had to stop playing gigs since they were generally banned from most venues.
With the stage thus set, anticipation is high for Lydia Laska‘s long-awaited second album. Fittingly titled Ego Death, this is the sound of Lydia Laska becoming both brasher and smoother, rougher and more come-hither, swaggering and silky: a truly unique sound that can take over both radio and squats alike. Indeed, life has been that much rougher since the release of Krankenhaus, and the band’s sonic influences are even more varied and violent this time. Knowing beforehand that the stakes were high, Lydia Laska chose to record Ego Death with esteemed producer Emil Nikolaisen (Årabrot, Todd Rundgren, Serena-Maneesh).
What results is an even-more-kaleidoscopic stroll through the gutter, even for those already well versed in Lydia Laska‘s mischievous ways. Each of the ten tracks across Ego Death could be a radio hit in the own right…if the radio station was entrenched in the darkest, dingiest sewer and was playing warring factions simultaneously. And yet, for however schizophrenic Ego Death might sound on the surface, beneath that surface is an entirely earnest and completely composed method to the mayhem. Each hook shimmers and stabs, but always with the target being both one’s ears and heart; it’s ridiculously difficult to get these songs outta your head. Nikolaisen’s production no doubt aids in Lydia Laska‘s earworming nature here, with the soundfield finding a strange – and strangely alluring – balance between shambling and stately, regal and righteously ripped. It is, ultimately, the epitome of an Ego Death.
So, are you prepared for Lydia Laska and that very Ego Death? Will you step forward into the gutter, only to be splashed with sonic slime that will never wash off? Questions, questions…
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Lydia Laska’s Ego Death
1. Teslicity, Baby!
2. You
3. Taste Of Blood
4. Brainmelt
5. I Can Play Myself
6. Gout Lord
7. Did You Do It Again?
8. We’ll Make-Up Your Mind
9. Funeral Fist
10. Levitation
PATRICIA THOMAS BAND MANAGEMENT 