Posts Tagged ‘Prog Rock’

KARISMA RECORDS REVEALS ALBUM DETAILS AND NEW SINGLE FROM PROG ROCKERS JORDSJØ

Posted: August 11, 2023 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Norwegian Prog Rockers JORDSJØ are back with a brand new studio album that sees the duo continue on a musical journey that is inspired by Nordic jazz and folk music, classical 1900s music, and sensory expanding 60s and 70s rock.

Titled “Salighet”,  the album will be the fourth full-length work from multi-instrumentalist Håkon Oftung (TUSMØRKE, BLACK MAGIC, THE CHRONICLES OF FATHER ROBIN) and drummer KRISTIAN FRØLAND, and it promises to be one of the most significant Prog albums of 2023, melding progressive rock with fantastic melodies and an added Folkish twist for good measure.

Whilst waiting for the 6 October release of “Salighet”, Karisma Records have released “Sankeren” a single taken from the album, which can be streamed or downloaded from a variety of services at

https://link.karismarecords.no/Jordsjo_Sankeren

According to JORDSJØ, “Sankeren”, which translated means “The Harvester”,  is a short-form fairytale about a group of travelers who meet a figure who lives only from what he can harvest. As the band explains:

The song is a tribute to living life, and all the things one gathers on one’s journey. Sankeren lives outside society, but is filled with knowledge and inner richness. The music builds on the story – starting and ending with the same theme, while the hectic middle part simulates the effect of the tea Sankeren serves to the visitors before they wake up in a house filled with artifacts from an unknown time.

Within the album itself, JORDSJØ continue their musical journey, scaling the  heights and plunging into the abysses as they go, because with “Salighet” the band explores different forms of ecstasy through compositions and lyrics. It could take the shape of dance, a mountain hike, a fairytale, religious pondering or other kinds of inner travels, all enveloped by a colourful symphonic folk-rock sound.

With its grand dynamics and dramatics, the music of “Salighet”  serves as a counterpoint to the mundane everyday existence, and expresses a longing for mystery and alternate realities.

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/product/artist/jordsjo/
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 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 RELEASES NEW SINGLE FROM  UPCOMING SOLSTEIN ALBUM

Posted: June 16, 2023 in IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Fans eagerly awaiting the release of the debut full-length album from SOLSTEIN, the new project that features in its lineup multi-instrumentalist Jacob Holm-Lupo (WHITE WILLOW, THE OPIUM CARTEl), drummer Keith Carlock (STEELY DAN, TOTO),  guitarist Stian Larsen (MARTE EBERSON, SMITH KOMMA JOHN), and Brynjar Dambo (WHITE WILLOW) on keyboards,  get to hear another track from the album before its 7 July release, courtesy of Is It Jazz? Records who have released a second single from the self-titled album.

Titled “Intersection”, this is what the band had to say about it:

“Intersection” is named for its somewhat busy feel and on it the band is stripped down to its core trio of Larsen on fantastic lead guitar, Carlock on inimitably groovy drums, and Holm-Lupo  anchoring on bass, rhythm guitar and keyboards. It was one of the first tunes written for the album, and one we feel represents the sound of the band well.

“Intersection” is available to download or stream from a variety of services at

https://link.isitjazzrecords.no/Solstein_Intersection

Drawing their inspiration from jazz-rock, funk, prog rock and chill-out, SOLSTEIN’s  musicians are given free rein to do whatever they feel the music needs, as long as it feels right to everyone.  By combining jazz harmony with proggy arrangements and soul/funk grooves SOLSTEIN’s sound is elegant, oscillating, as it does, between funky fusion and rock.

The result is a debut album that is both accessible, whilst at the same time, adventurous.  Colourful  and engaging, it succeeds in mixing  the groovier side of fusion with elements of prog and funk, eschewing the usual 2020s fusion sound for an altogether funkier, more melodic range, that brings artists like THE CRUSADERS, IDRIS MUHAMMED, early BOB JAMES and 70s HERBIE HANCOCK to mind.

“Solstein”  was mixed and given pristine analogue mastering at Holm-Lupo’s Dude Ranch Studio, and with artwork by Martina Wilek, track listing is as follows:

  1. Intersection
  2. Oriental Folk Song
  3. Southwester
  4. The Night Owl
  5. Siriusly
  6. February 9th
  7. The Creeper
  8. Hamada

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

Bandcamp: https://solstein.bandcamp.com/album/solstein
Is it Jazz Records: Webshop: https://isitjazzrecords.no/
Karisma Records Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/

For those curious as to where the name  SOLSTEIN comes from, the word actually means Sunstone, and it refers to  a relatively rare rock containing copper-red crystals, which, when seen from different angles refracts the light in a very beautiful way. The most significant deposits of the rock are found along the southern coast of Norway where Holm-Lupo lives and runs his studio.

More  information about SOLSTEIN can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/solsteinband Additional Information
Solstein
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/solsteinband
Band Contact:  aslanlupo@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

IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS RELEASES FIRST SINGLE FROM  UPCOMING SOLSTEIN ALBUM

Posted: May 23, 2023 in IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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With SOLSTEIN’s self-titled debut full-length album due out on the 7th July, Is it Jazz? Records have today released a single that  gives fans a taste of what they can  expect from multi-instrumentalist Jacob Holm-Lupo’s new project.

Titled “Hamada”, the track features SOLSTEIN’s core lineup of  Stian Larsen (MARTE EBERSON, SMITH KOMMA JOHN) on lead guitar, Keith Carlock (STEELY DAN, TOTO) on drums and Jacob Holm-Lupo (WHITE WILLOW, THE OPIUM CARTEL) on bass, rhythm guitars and keyboards. Joining them on “Hamada” are American synth wizard Bill Bressler on lead synth and Fender Rhodes, Martin Windstad (KURT NILSEN, BIGBANG, ANE BRUN) on percussion, and INA A who provides some wordless vocal harmonies.

The name “Hamada” is partly  inspired by plane trips over the breathtaking landscape  of the Eilat Desert. On the Eastern side you can see the red rocks of Jordan, whilst the high plains desert landscape of the Hamada of the Eilat Desert are directly beneath you, and the endless deserts of the Sinai are to your West.

“Hamada” can be downloaded or streamed from a number of services at

https://link.isitjazzrecords.no/Solstein_Hamada

SOLSTEIN was formed after Holm-Lupo and Carlock had collaborated with legendary guitarist Georg Wadenius on a track for Holm-Lupo’s DONNER project. Finding that together they jelled, the duo decided to expand the lineup with the addition of Larsen and keyboardist Brynjar Dambo (WHITE WILLOW). 

Inspired by jazz-rock, funk, prog rock and chill-out, SOLSTEIN’s  is an  instrumental form of rock, where jazz harmony combines with proggy arrangements and soul/funk grooves. The end result is laid back and  elegant, oscillating between funky fusion and rock, where all the musicians involved are given free rein to do whatever they feel the music needs and feels right to everyone

The album itself is accessible yet adventurous, colourful, groovy and engaging. It melds  the groovier side of fusion with elements of prog and funk, but which, rather than having the standard 2020s fusion sound, tends more towards the funkier, more melodic spectrum that brings artists like THE CRUSADERS, IDRIS MUHAMMED, early BOB JAMES and 70s HERBIE HANCOCK to mind.

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

Bandcamp: https://solstein.bandcamp.com/album/solstein
Is it Jazz Records: Webshop: https://isitjazzrecords.no/
Karisma Records Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/

“Solstein”  was mixed and given pristine analogue mastering at Holm-Lupo’s Dude Ranch Studio, and with artwork by Martina Wilek, track listing is as follows:

  1. Intersection
  2. Oriental Folk Song
  3. Southwester
  4. The Night Owl
  5. Siriusly
  6. February 9th
  7. The Creeper
  8. Hamada

For those curious as to where the name  SOLSTEIN comes from, the word actually means Sunstone, and it refers to  a relatively rare rock containing copper-red crystals, which, when seen from different angles refracts the light in a very beautiful way. The most significant deposits of the rock are found along the southern coast of Norway where Holm-Lupo lives and runs his studio.

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

Additional Information
Solstein
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/solsteinband
Band Contact:  aslanlupo@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

IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS REVEALS DETAILS OF UPCOMING ALBUM FROM JACOB HOLM-LUPO’S  SOLSTEIN

Posted: April 21, 2023 in IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS, KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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SOLSTEIN came into being after multi-instrumentalist Jacob Holm-Lupo (WHITE WILLOW, THE OPIUM CARTEL, DONNER) and drummer Keith Carlock (STEELY DAN, TOTO, JOHN LEGEND, STING) had collaborated with legendary guitarist Georg Wadenius on a track for Holm-Lupo’s DONNER project. The collaboration between the duo worked so well that they  decided to come together again on a whole album.

Joining Carlock and Holm-Lupo are up-and-coming guitarist Stian Larsen and keyboardists Brynjar Dambo (WHITE WILLOW) and Bill Bressler, and together they form a project that is inspired by jazz-rock, funk, prog rock and chill-out.  The sound they produce is an  instrumental form of rock, where jazz harmony combines with proggy arrangements and soul/funk grooves. The end result is laid back and  elegant, oscillating between funky fusion and rock.

Given some of the member’s prog backgrounds, there are also echoes of the jazzier side of prog, but, more than anything, SOLSTEIN is a playground for the musicians, where everyone was given free reins to do whatever they felt the music needed. If it put a smile on everyone’s face, it was deemed right.

The result is a self-titled album that is accessible yet adventurous, colourful, groovy and engaging. It melds  the groovier side of fusion with elements of prog and funk, but which, rather than having the standard 2020s fusion sound, tends more towards the funkier, more melodic spectrum that brings artists like THE CRUSADERS, IDRIS MUHAMMED, early BOB JAMES and 70s HERBIE HANCOCK to mind.

“Solstein”  was mixed and given pristine analogue mastering at Holm-Lupo’s Dude Ranch Studio, and with artwork by Martina Wilek, track listing is as follows:

  1. Intersection
  2. Oriental Folk Song
  3. Southwester
  4. The Night Owl
  5. Siriusly
  6. February 9th
  7. The Creeper
  8. Hamada

“Solstein” will be released on Is it Jazz? Records on the 7th July in CD, Digital and LPC formats and is now available to pre-order from:

Bandcamp: https://solstein.bandcamp.com/album/solstein
Is it Jazz Records: Webshop: https://isitjazzrecords.no/
Karisma Records Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/

The name SOLSTEIN means Sunstone, and it refers to  a relatively rare rock containing copper-red crystals, which, when seen from different angles refracts the light in a very beautiful way. The most significant deposits of the rock are found along the southern coast of Norway where Holm-Lupo lives and runs his studio.

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

Additional Information
Solstein
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/solsteinband
Band Contact:  aslanlupo@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

NEW DOUBLE SINGLE FROM FOLK PROG ROCKERS LUMSK UPCOMING ALBUM REVEALED

Posted: April 14, 2023 in DARK ESSENCE RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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“Fremmede Toner”, from Norwegian Folk Prog Rockers LUMSK, is a long way from being your average album because all its twelve tracks are actually in pairs, with each individual pair taking as their base one poem and revisiting it in two different, yet beguilingly similar, ways.

It therefore follows that when revealing a new single from the album, there must be two tracks, as is the case with “Avskjed” and “Abschied” which can be streamed or downloaded from a variety of sources at:

https://link.darkessencerecords.no/Lumsk_Avskjed_Abschied

As the band explained:

Avskjed / Abschied is the second pair of songs (singles) taken from our upcoming album “Fremmede Toner”. This time the lyrics are the re-creation of the famous German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche´s “Abschied” by Norwegian author Andre Bjerke, as well as the poem in its original form.  Just as Bjerke´s poems are translations and recreations and are quite familiar but not the same as the original, the songs also try to reflect each other in the same way. They will feel familiar but will still not be the same.

“Fremmede Toner” is the fourth full-length release from LUMSK, a band that was formed in 1999, just when the metal scene was exploring the use of regional folk traditions within music. With their use of heavy guitars, keyboard and organs, violins, session horns and female vocals, and a clear vision of the direction they wanted their music to take, LUMSK was in the right place at the right time. 

Having garnered a considerable fan base and a stellar reputation, both at home and internationally, LUMSK released their third full-length album and promptly took a hiatus that was to last sixteen years.

Now, with their new album set for release on the 5th of May on Dark Essence Records, LUMSK’s seven-piece lineup includes Mari Klingen on Vocals, Siv Lena Laugtug Sæther on Violin, Eystein Garberg on Guitar, Roar Grindheim on Guitar, Espen Warankov Godø on Keyboards, Espen Hammer on Bass, and Vidar Berg on Drums.

Mixed by Rhys Marsh at Autumnsongs Recordings, and Mastered by Arnstein Fossvik at AudioMaster, “Fremmede Toner” is LUMSK’s most varied and intriguing work to date, demonstrating how the band’s unique blend of metal and Nordic folk music melds together with rich textures and clever arrangements. 

Track listing is as follows:

  1. Det Døde Barn
  2. En Harmoni
  3. Avskjed
  4. Under Linden
  5. Fiolen
  6. Dagen er Endt
  7. Das Tode Kind
  8. A Match
  9. Abschied
  10. Under der Linden
  11. Das Veilchen
  12. The Day is Done

“Fremmede Toner” will be available in CD, Limited Edition Double LP in Gold and Turquoise vinyl and Digital formats, and can now be pre-order from the following: 

BandCamp:  https://lumsk.bandcamp.com/album/fremmede-toner
Webshop:  https://darkessencerecords.no/kar215-lumsk-fremmede-toner/
US Webshop:  https://darkessence.indiemerch.com/

Featuring works by some of the most famous European and North American poets, such as Nietzsche, Goethe, Swinburne etc., the album cover, by Per Spjøtvold, someone with whom the band has worked since the beginning, also reflects the “dual” concept of “Fremmede Toner”. A concept that the band recently described:     

We stumbled upon “Fremmde Toner”, a collection of poems the by Norwegian Author André Bjerke in which he had translated and re-created poems from different English and German speaking poets, and we realised that not only did we want to write music for the Norwegian poems, but also to write music for the original poems themselves. The idea of the concept was not to create the same songs twice, but to make the songs mirror each other in a way, trying to somehow recreate the idea of a translation or re-creation. Thus, as with the poems themselves, the songs are not the same, but are, nevertheless familiar.

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

A video for the track “Trolltind” from LUMSK’s 2005 album “Troll” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/qoifbhyp2BU

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/lumskmusic  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lumskband/
Band Contact: lumsk@hammersound.no
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/

PROG ROCKERS SEVEN IMPALE REVEAL DETAILS AND SINGLE FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: March 30, 2023 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Since the release of SEVEN IMPALE’s 2016 album “Contrapasso”,  a lot of things have happened in the lives of the band’s members. Some of those things, like having kids and finishing your education, are the sort of things that happen to most people.  Others, like Vocalist/Guitarist Stian graduating from the Grieg Academy as an opera singer and launching an international career, and Keyboard  player Håkon joining ENSLAVED, are a little less run of the mill.

But, throughout these eventful seven years, SEVEN IMPALE was kept simmering in the background, and now, the long-awaited third full-length album is ready to make its very welcome appearance. 

Titled “SUMMIT”, the album will be released on Karisma Records on the 26th May, but in the meantime, fans can remind themselves of what they have been missing with a track from the album. 

Titled “IKAROS”, the track can be downloaded or streamed from a number of services at

https://link.karismarecords.no/SevenImpale_IKAROS

About the track, SEVEN IMPALE had this to say:

“IKAROS” is THE song from “SUMMIT” that will make you check if there is something wrong with your stereo.  It is the “single” of the album. The shortest one… just shy of ten minutes…yes, we know. A radio hit.  All joking aside, this track is us summoning some of our favourite bands; Alice in Chains, The Mars Volta, Enslaved etc. The keyword here is RIFFS.

 “SUMMIT” itself features SEVEN IMPALE’S distinctive style which blends jazz and progressive rock with more heavy influences. By limiting itself to four juggernaut tracks, and, coming in at close to 45 minutes, “SUMMIT” doesn’t leave behind the madness of “City of the Sun” and “Contrapasso”, but rather gives the music and lyrics the space and time needed to captivate and dazzle its listeners.

Recorded in Solslottet, Bergen, and produced mixed and mastered by Iver Sandøy, track listing for “SUMMIT” is as follows:

1. HUNTER
2. HYDRA
3. IKAROS
4. SISYPHOS

With artwork by Erik Hølleland, “SUMMIT” will be released in CD, Vinyl and Digital formats, and is now available to pre-order from:

Bandcamp: https://sevenimpale.bandcamp.com/album/summit
Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/sevenimpale-summit/ 
US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com/

Formed in Bergen, Norway in 2010, the sheer diversity of musical disciplines its members brought with them meant that SEVEN IMPALE immediately stood out from the many other new arrivals on the scene.  From classical orchestra to big band, metal to jazz and rock to electronic, SEVEN IMPALE’s lineup of  Benjamin Mekki Widerøe onSaxophone, Erlend Vottvik Olsen on Guitars, Fredrik Mekki Widerøe on Drums, Guitars and Vocals, Håkon Mikkelsen Vinje on Keyboards and Vocals, Stian Økland on Guitars and Vocals, and Tormod Fosso on Bass, have successfully succeeded in fusing all their individual experiences and influences to form a sound that is unmistakably theirs.

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SEVEN IMPALE
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sevenimpale  
Website: https://sevenimpale.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevenimpale/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SevenImpale
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SEVENIMPALE
Band Contact:  sevenimpale@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: https://www.karismarecords.no
Karisma Records US Webshop:  https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com

WOBBLER’S LARS FREDRIK FRØISLIE REVEALS SINGLE FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: March 29, 2023 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Up until now, LARS FREDRIK FRØISLIE was known as a member of Prog Rockers WOBBLER, but thanks to Karisma Records the keyboard player will release his debut solo album “Fire Fortellinger” on the 2nd June. 

Inspired by renaissance music, 70s prog rock, especially from Italy, Norwegian 90s black metal, British rock and heavy metal  from the 60s and 70s, as well as folk music, jazz and psychedelic rock, Frøislie has created an album where each of its four tracks tells its own story, and today fans get to hear one of the tracks, “Et sted under himmelhvelvet”, which is available to stream or download from a number of services at

https://link.karismarecords.no/LFF_EtStedUnderHimmelvelvet

About the track, Frøislie explained that “Et sted under himmelhvelvet” is a dreamy song which is “Possibly set in a Renaissance Garden near Florence. But in principle it can be anywhere where it feels good to be. It is partly about travelling to a place and feeling that you have been there before – only to find out that you had ancestors who lived there long ago”.

For “Fire Fortellinger” Frøislie takes on vocals and drums, as well as a formidable array of instruments including and a few tons of old analogue keyboards such as Hammond C3, Mellotron M400, Minimoog Model D, Chamberlin M-1, Yamaha CP70B, William de Blaise spinet, Hohner Clavinet D6, Rhodes MkII and an Arp Pro Soloist. With him is Nikolai Hængsle (ELEPHANT9, NEEDLEPOINT, BIGBANG, BAND OF GOLD etc.) on Rickenbacker 4003, Fender Jazz Bass, Fender Precision and Fender Telecaster Bass.

Written during the pandemic “Fire Fortellinger” could well have been a totally different beast, one destined for a new WOBBLER album. However, circumstances being what they were, Frøislie had to work on the material alone, thereby being able to preserve a degree of spontaneity that would not have been possible had it had to pass through the band process of rehearsals and recording.   

“Fire Fortellinger” thus succeeds in preserving the impulsiveness of the original, allowing the audience to hear a finished work that is partly improvised and recorded in one take, free of any click tracks, auto-tune, MIDI or too much technology.

Track listing for “Fire Fortellinger” is as follows:

01. Rytter av dommedag
02. Et sted under himmelhvelvet
03. Jærtegn
04. Naturens katedral

With artwork by Frøislie himself “Fire Fortellinger” will be released in CD, Limited Edition LP and Digital formats and is now available to pre-order from the following:

Webshop:  https://www.karismarecords.no/kar253-lars-fredrik-froislie-fire-fortellinger/ 
Bandcamp: https://larsfredrikfroislie.bandcamp.com/album/fire-fortellinger  
US shop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com
Webshop General: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/
All pre-order options & regularly updated all things album related: https://link.karismarecords.no/LFF_Fire-Fortellinger

Frøislie took advantage of the opportunities afforded by the pandemic to roam the countryside and draw inspiration from Norway’s past, which he then used to create the music and lyrics for “Fire Fortellinger”:

I dreamed myself back in time, and consumed music, art and literature from the old days. The music is characterized by this, and inspiration is drawn from, among other things, Snorre Sturlason, Sohlberg’s “Winter’s Night in the Mountains” and Hamsun’s “Growth of the Soil”. It is both a search back to an apparently more primitive time; as well as a quest back to nature and away from civilization and people.

I took many trips out to Raknehaugen in Romerike, as well as trips to an old cottage in Heidal and the home districts of Ringerike (with its many Viking graves and magical landscapes), and this can also be heard in the music.

It is this fascinating creative process that Frøislie explains in video series that describes the making of “Fire Fortellinger”. The first part can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/qApnt1EGBvM 

And the second below and at at  https://youtu.be/wl5fB6vDBBc

More information about LARS FREDRIK FRØISLIE can be found at https://www.facebook.com/larsfredrikfroislie

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
LARS FREDRIK FRØISLIE
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/larsfredrikfroislie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larsfredrikfroislie/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fredfroi
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 SET TO RELEASE SOLO ALBUM FROM WOBBLER’S LARS FREDRIK FRØISLIE

Posted: March 7, 2023 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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LARS FREDRIK FRØISLIE, keyboard player for Prog Rockers WOBBLER is set to release his debut solo album “Fire Fortellinger” on Karisma Records on the 2nd June. 

Comprised of four tunes, each one telling its own story, “Fire Fortellinger” came about during the pandemic when Frøislie was forced to isolate like everyone else, and chose to make this time as productive as possible. Explaining how the album was conceived and the inspiration that was behind it Frøislie had this to say:

During the pandemic, I dreamed myself back in time, and consumed music, art and literature from the old days. The music is characterized by this, and inspiration is drawn from, among other things, Snorre Sturlason, Vinternatt i Rondane and Markens Grøde. It is both a search back to an apparently more primitive time; as well as a quest back to nature and away from civilization and people.

I took many trips out to Raknehaugen in Romerike, as well as trips to an old cottage in Heidal and the home districts of Ringerike (with its many Viking graves and magical landscapes), and this can also be heard in the music.

Frøislie has also completed the first part of a video series in which he describes the making of “Fire Fortellinger” and it can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/qApnt1EGBvM 

Had it not been for the pandemic, much of the material on “Fire Fortellinger” would probably have been earmarked for a new WOBBLER album, with English lyrics and subjected to the revisions that are inevitable when a band gets together over new material. However, given that the circumstances dictated that he would have to work on the material alone, Frøislie was able to keep his material as spontaneous as possible, without having to put it through too many rounds of processing.  

He has thus succeeded in preserving the impulsiveness of the original, and, as a consequence, much of what the audience gets to hear is improvised and recorded in one take, thereby maintaining the hands-on human aspect with an avoidance of click tracks, auto-tune, MIDI or too much technology.

With a sound that draws its inspiration from 70s prog rock, especially from Italy, Norwegian 90s black metal, British rock and heavy metal  from the 60s and 70s, as well as folk music, jazz and psychedelic rock, “Fire Fortellinger” finds Frøislie on vocals and drums, and availing himself of a formidable array of instruments including Ludwig drums and a few tons of old analogue keyboards including Hammond C3, Mellotron M400, Minimoog Model D, Chamberlin M-1, Yamaha CP70B, William de Blaise spinet, Hohner Clavinet D6, Rhodes MkII and an Arp Pro Soloist. With him is Nikolai Hængsle (ELEPHANT9, NEEDLEPOINT, BIGBANG, BAND OF GOLD etc.) on Rickenbacker, Fender Jazz Bass, Fender Precision and Fender Telecaster Bass.

The album artwork is by Frøislie himself and “Fire Fortellinger” will be available in CD, Limited Edition LP and Digital formats. Track listing is as follows:

01. Rytter av dommedag
02. Et sted under himmelhvelvet
03. Jærtegn
04. Naturens katedral

For those wishing to delve deeper into the stories behind each track, Frøislie was happy to oblige:

The first song “Rytter av dommedag” is themed around Ragnarok, when King Rakne awakens in his large burial mound outside Romerike and, together with the old gods, creates real mischief.

The second song “Et sted under himmelhvelvet” is dreamy, possibly set in a Renaissance garden near Florence or Arcadia. But in principle it can be anywhere where it feels good to be. It is partly about travelling to a place and feeling that you have been there before – only to find out that you had ancestors who lived there long ago.

The third song “Jærtegn” opens in a frenzy, with a horse and cart speeding through the forest. The wagon overturns at the same time as there is a solar eclipse, and the riders become eternal wanderers in the dark forest, only visible to us now and then like the northern lights, as they vainly stretch their arms towards the sun in the hope of finding their way home.

The final song “Naturens Katedral” is a depiction of the Norwegian mountains in winter where the cold is bitter, and blizzards and avalanches abound. It is also a search for bygone times when life was more basic out in the wilderness.

“Fire Fortellinger” is now available to pre-order from:

Webshop:  https://www.karismarecords.no/kar253-lars-fredrik-froislie-fire-fortellinger/ 
Bandcamp:  https://larsfredrikfrislie.bandcamp.com/album/fire-fortellinger
US shop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com
Webshop General: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/
All pre-order options & regularly updated all things album related: https://link.karismarecords.no/LFF_Fire-Fortellinger

More information about LARS FREDRIK FRØISLIE can be found at https://www.facebook.com/larsfredrikfroislie

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
LARS FREDRIK FRØISLIE
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/larsfredrikfroislie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larsfredrikfroislie/
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 PLANS TWO NOVEMBER RELEASES FROM PROG ROCKERS JORDSJØ

Posted: September 13, 2022 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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With a stellar reputation on the Oslo Prog Scene, and their 2021 third full-length album winning them plaudits and introducing them to a much wider audience, Norwegian duo JORDSJØ will be back in November with two new releases courtesy of Karisma Records.

Whilst not exactly new material, with one having had only a very limited release, and the other having undergone a substantial “refresh” and expansion, ”Nattfiolen Suite” and ”Jord Sessions” will come as a welcome, and worthy, addition to the JORDSJØ ‘s catalogue. 

Originally written and recorded for JORDSJØ’s second full-length album “Nattfiolen”,  the  ”Nattfiolen Suite” was a lengthy, virtually stand-alone piece, that proved to be much too long to fit on the album itself, and, as a consequence, was solely released digitally on Bandcamp.  However, such was its popularity that there  has been a growing demand for a physical release of ”Nattfiolen Suite”.  And Karisma Records is happy to oblige with the release of a 10″ gold vinyl edition, which will be strictly limited to 300 copies.

Fans of JORDSJØ who don’t have the means to play vinyl will not need to feel disappointed though, because ”Nattfiolen Suite” will be available as a bonus track on the CD version of the ”Jord Sessions” release. 

With artwork by Sindre Foss Skancke, tracklisting on ”Nattfiolen Suite” is as follows:

1. Nattfiolen Suite (part 1)
2. Nattfiolen Suite (part 2)

 “Jord” was considered by the band to be their first “proper” album, because, up until its release, JORDSJØ had only produced homemade tapes, which they sold to friends and a few die-hard collectors.  Its release is what really drew fans attention to the band, not only within Norway itself, but also world-wide.  However, JORDSJØ had never been happy with the mix, as the band explains

When “Jord “came out in early 2017, it was a different time for us. This was to date our fourth release and what would be our first proper album. Up until that point, we only sold our 50 homemade tapes to friends and a few die-hard collectors, but “Jord” got us a bigger audience, also outside Norway. The mixing was done badly and also with the intent of only a tape release, so we thought it deserved a refreshed look and the inclusion of  the other songs that had been recorded on the same weekend in the summer of 2016. Hence, the “Jord Sessions”.

”Jord Sessions”  has been re-mixed from scratch and, aside from a new organ track on “Abstraksjoner..” and some bells and percussion on “Valinors Lamper”, all other tracks on ”Jord Sessions”  remain true to the originals.  Its  underlying theme of alienation, roots and dreams, gives “Jord Sessions”  an organic and dynamic sound reminiscent of ’70s prog.  With traces of electronic music and folk, and the use of flute, guitars and a vast array of vintage synths “Jord Sessions”  has a warm,  vintage sound that still manages to sound fresh and interesting.

”Jord Sessions”  will be available in CD, Digital and Limited Edition Red Vinyl formats, and with artwork by Sindre Foss Skancke,  tracklisting is as follows:

01. Over Vidda
02. Abstraksjoner fra et Dunkelt Kammer
03. Jord I
04. I Momos Trädgård
05. La meg forsvinne
06. Jord II
07. Se Valinors Lamper
08. Nattfiolen Suite (CD only)

Both ”Nattfiolen Suite” and ”Jord Sessions” will be available on Karisma Records on the 25th November, and are now available to pre-order from the following:

Various services updated regularly: https://link.karismarecords.no/Jordsjo_Jord-Sessions  
Karisma Records Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/kar241-kar245-jordsjo/
Bandcamp – https://jordsjo.bandcamp.com/music
US webshop – https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com/

By melding Progressive rock with interesting melodies, and giving the whole a Folk-inspired twist JORDSJØ’s lineup of multi instrumentalist Håkon Oftung (TUSMØRKE, BLACK MAGIC) and drummer Kristian Frøland pay reverence to the traditions of the best of last centuries’ Nordic Prog Rock whilst giving it their own individual take. 

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
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jordsjoe/
Bandcamp: https://jordsjo.bandcamp.com
Karisma Records contact: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records Bandcamp: https://karismarecords.bandcamp.com
Karisma Records on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor
Karisma Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarismaRecords
Karisma on SoundCloud:  https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records
Karisma Records Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no
Karisma Records US Webshop:  https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com

AIRBAG  CO-FOUNDER BJØRN RIIS DEBUTS NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO FROM UPCOMING SOLO ALBUM

Posted: March 4, 2022 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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With its release date set for the 8th April on Karisma Records, BJØRN RIIS’s fourth full-length solo album “Everything to Everyone” deals with the toll that continuously having to meet the expectations of others takes on ones emotions, heightened by the fear of losing oneself in the effort to do so.

This is poignantly illustrated in the track “The Siren”, which Karisma Records have today released as a single. 

As Bjørn explains:

 Musically the song derives its inspiration from the more mellow side of Roger Waters, Richard Hawley and Tim Bowness,  and is told from the perspective of someone observing a dancer.  Lyrically it depicts how one can be easily misled by temptation and hurt by the need for approval.

“The Siren” itself dates back to the “A Day at the Beach” recording sessions with AIRBAG. It was one of many demos that I presented to the band but which didn’t quite fit in with the rest of the material. 

Whilst writing “Everything to Everyone”, I redid most of the arrangements and lyrics and “The Siren” ended up being one of my favourite tracks on the album, and I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Simen Valldal Johannessen (OAK) for the beautiful piano, Henrik Fossum  (AIRBAG) for the delicate drumming,  and engineer Vegard Sleipnes for the mixing.

The single of “The Siren” can be streamed or downloaded from various services at https://link.karismarecords.no/Bjorn-Riis_The-Siren

At the same time, Anne-Marie Forker has produced a soulful video for “The Siren” which can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/2PqJXn0ozv0

For the album itself, which Bjørn admits was inspired by Dante’s Inferno, he has once again teamed up with long-time collaborator Vegard Kleftås Sleipnes, who, as well as co-producing the album with Bjørn, also handled the engineering and mixing. Mastering was carried out by Jacob Holm-Lupo (WHITE WILLOW and THE OPIUM CARTEL). 

In addition to Bjørn’s vocals and celebrated guitar playing, “Everything to Everyone” also features guest appearances from Henrik Bergan Fossum (AIRBAG), Kristian Hultgren (WOBBLER), Simen Valldal Johannessen (OAK) and Norwegian singer/songwriter MIMMI TAMBA. 

With cover photo by Anne-Marie Forker and design by Asle Tostrup, track listing on “Everything to Everyone” is as follows:

1. Run
2. Lay Me Down
3. The Siren
4. Every Second Every Hour
5. Descending
. Everything to Everyone
Digisleeve CD bonus tracks:
7. Everything to Everyone (Alternative version)
8. Desolate Place

“Everything to Everyone” will be available in four different versions. Aside from the normal LP version, the vinyl format will also be available as a Limited Edition White/Black Splatter LP, whilst the CD format will be available both as a standard CD as well as a Limited Edition Digi Sleeve version which will include two bonus tracks comprising an alternative version of the title track, and the 2020 stand-alone digital single “Desolate Place”.

It is now available to pre-order from:

Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/kar199-bjorn-riis-everything-to-everyone/  
Band Camp: https://bjornriis.bandcamp.com/album/everything-to-everyone
North American Webshop:  https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com/band/bjorn-riis

Now a much-respected guitarist within the musical community, Bjørn ‘s  interest in music began whilst still a teenager, at a time when guitar-led bands were at their height and were spearheading the  rise of the Progressive Rock movement.   It was this movement, together with Electronica and Movie Scores, that influenced the young guitarist,  leading  him to develop a style filled with soaring leads and gorgeous textures.  

Such is his knowledge of, the guitar, and all things related, that his YouTube channel, has become an extremely successful  destination for guitar fans.  The channel can be seen  at  https://www.youtube.com/c/BjornRiisMusic  

More information about BJØRN RIIS can be found on the guitarist’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BjornRiisArtistPage  and on his website at https://www.Bjørnriis.com/ 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Band contact:  Bjørn@airbag.no
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/BjørnRiisArtistPage
Website:  https://www.Bjørnriis.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Bjørnriis/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/BjornRiisMusic
Bandcamp: https://Bjørnriis.bandcamp.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 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karismarecords/
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com
Karisma Records BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/music

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