Posts Tagged ‘Rock’

KARISMA RECORDS RELEASES NEW SINGLE FROM UPCOMING WIZRD ALBUM

Posted: November 15, 2024 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Set for release on the 6th December, “Elements”, the sophomore full-length album from Norwegian Rockers WIZRD, shows a band eager to build on their already genre-defying style, and expand into new directions. 

But all those fans who have already taken the band into their hearts need not have any worries, because, the elements that make WIZRD what it is, will still be there.  And how best to illustrate this?  With the release of the single “Fire & Flames” about which the band have this to say:

Are we shooting ourselves in the foot when we choose the album’s longest track as the second single? Well, it’s possible! But still, it felt just right. We think “Fire & Flames” sums up “what is WIZRD” in a great way, it is in many ways the quintessential WIZRD song. It captures the calm, meditative and psychedelic nature of several of our songs, while the last half has the rawness, wildness and improvisation that we are perhaps best known for. Therefore, we felt that the song was an obvious single choice, as it represents the band and the album so well.

“Fire & Flames” can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of sources at:

https://orcd.co/fireflames

Those who have already had a taste of what to expect from “Elements” in the shape of the recently released double single (available for streaming or download at https://orcd.co/nationalday), will also realise that WIZRD will always be a band that pushes boundaries, successfully  blending all the more interesting aspects  of rock, indie, jazz and prog. But this time they have taken it further, experimenting with new styles, going in fresh melodic directions, and adding both extended and condensed song structures to their repertoire.

Recorded at the legendary Athletic Sound studio in Halden, “Elements” is an eclectic album, whose  sound is cohesive and unified –  an unmistakable trait  in all of WIZARD’s  work.   It was co-produced, recorded, and mixed by Dag Erik Johansen alongside the band, who are keen to stress that his contribution was vital to shaping the final sound of “Elements”.

Working closely together this formidable team has created an album that feels organic yet unpredictable. With a mix of carefully crafted and spontaneous elements, it is clear that every decision that was taken in the making of the album influenced its outcome. Change  one single thing and “Elements” would have been something entirely different.

With album cover art by Steph Hope and layout by Maja Markegård,  and featuring additional vocals by Sara Fjeldvær, Rohey Taalah, Rikke Normann & Nadia Warholm Essahli, “Elements” will be released in CD, Digital and Limited Edition Red Vinyl formats, and is now available to pre-order from:

Bandcamp:  https://wizrd.bandcamp.com/album/elements
WebShop: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/   
US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com/band/wizrd

Track listing for “Elements” is as follows:

  • GT, Me & My 6610
  • Mesmerized
  • The Void
  • Fylkesvei 33
  • National Day
  • You’re Exposed!
  • !!!
  • Fire & Flames
  • Kaleidoskop


WIZRD was formed when Hallvard Gaardløs (SPIDERGAWD, DRAKEN) on bass and lead vocals, Karl Bjorå (MEGALODON COLLECTIVE) on guitar and vocals, Vegard Lien Bjerkan (SOFT FFOG) on keyboards and vocals, and Axel Skalstad (KROKOFANT, SOFT FFOG) on drums attended the Jazz Conservatory in Trondheim. Together, they form a diverse and dynamic unit marked by a fearless creativity.

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

A video of WIZRD in the studio, rehearsing the track “All Is As It Should Be”, from their 2022 album “Seasons”, by Norwegian film score composer and JAGA JAZZIST drummer Martin Horntveth,  can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/kzP2VOduRCU?si=GwdMBmZGgU6B4x0z   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
WIZRD
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/WIZRDTHEBAND/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/wizrdtheband/
BandCamp: https://wizrd.bandcamp.com/
Band Contact:  hallvardgaardlos@hotmail.com
KARISMA RECORDS
Promo and other information: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records Bandcamp: https://karismarecords.bandcamp.com
Karisma Records on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor
Karisma Records 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

DETAILS OF UPCOMING ALBUM AND NEW SINGLE FROM NORWEGIAN ROCKERS WIZRD REVEALED

Posted: October 25, 2024 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Since its formation WIZRD has proved itself to be a band that is happy to colour outside any  genre-defining lines, pushing boundaries and effortlessly blending the more interesting aspects of genres that range from rock and indie to jazz and prog.

And on their upcoming sophomore full-length album “Elements” WIZRD have dived deeper into uncharted musical waters—experimenting with new styles, fresh melodic directions, and both extended and condensed song structures, all the while introducing Norwegian lyrics.

Whilst “Elements” itself is set for release on the 6th December, Karisma Records have today released a double single taken from the album.  The single, which comprises the tracks  “National Day” and “Eternity’s Breath”,  and with artwork by Maja Markegård,  can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at:

https://orcd.co/nationalday

WIZRD explained something of the process that went into recording “National Day”:

“National Day” was a song that came together very quickly. Karl came up with the riff, and while we were jamming on it, I came up with the melody line. We wanted to push ourselves a little and see how “little” is needed to make a song. After all, we are prog fans, and happy with lots of different parts, but here we tried to see how we could rather vary a relatively short idea and get a song out of it. It basically went very well, but in the end we couldn’t quite help ourselves, and added the slightly extended solo part. A little three-minute adventure!

By contrast, “Eternity’s Breath” is a totally different beast, not an original, but a cover, and fans of the MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA will immediately recognise the title.  Indeed, WIZRD cite the legendary New Yorkers as one of the great inspirations behind their own music:

One of our favourite bands and greatest sources of inspiration is the Mahavishnu Orchestra. We have had a few concert nights in Oslo where we have had one set of our own songs, and one set of Mahavishnu covers. In particular, we have played a lot of the songs from the album “Visions of the Emerald Beyond”, so this time it was only natural for us to include a Mahavishnu song in the recording process. Eternity’s Breath is one of our favourite songs, it’s an insanely fun song to play. Joining the team this time we also got Rohey Taalah and Nadia Warholm Essahli on vocals, and that lifts it to astronomical heights. We hope the result gives you a real kick!
 
“Elements” itself was recorded at the legendary Athletic Sound studio in Halden, and the ambiance both within the studio, and within the city itself, left an indelible mark on the album, which, though eclectic, could not be anything other than WIZRD, whose distinctive sound is cohesive and unified.

Co-produced, recorded, and mixed by Dag Erik Johansen alongside the band, WIZRD are keen to stress that his contribution was vital to shaping the final sound of “Elements”. Working closely together this formidable team has created an album that feels organic yet unpredictable. With a mix of carefully crafted and spontaneous elements, it is clear that every decision that was taken in the making of the album influenced its outcome. Change  one single thing and “Elements” would have been something entirely different.

With album cover art by Steph Hope and layout by Maja Markegård,  and featuring additional vocals by Sara Fjeldvær, Rohey Taalah, Rikke Normann & Nadia Warholm Essahli, “Elements” will be released in CD, Digital and Limited Edition Red Vinyl formats, and is now available to pre-order from:

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

Rrack listing for “Elements” is as follows:

  1. GT, Me & My 6610
  2. Mesmerized
  3. The Void
  4. Fylkesvei 33
  5. National Day
  6. You’re Exposed!
  7. !!!
  8. Fire & Flames
  9. Kaleidoskop


WIZRD was formed when Hallvard Gaardløs (SPIDERGAWD, DRAKEN) on bass and lead vocals, Karl Bjorå (MEGALODON COLLECTIVE) on guitar and vocals, Vegard Lien Bjerkan (SOFT FFOG) on keyboards and vocals, and Axel Skalstad (KROKOFANT, SOFT FFOG) on drums attended the Jazz Conservatory in Trondheim. Together, they form a diverse and dynamic unit marked by a fearless creativity.

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

A video of WIZRD in the studio, rehearsing the track “All Is As It Should Be”, from their 2022 album “Seasons”, by Norwegian film score composer and JAGA JAZZIST drummer Martin Horntveth,  can be seen at below and at https://youtu.be/kzP2VOduRCU?si=QSgNFb2L9X_VMWnw   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
WIZRD
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/WIZRDTHEBAND/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/wizrdtheband/
BandCamp: https://wizrd.bandcamp.com/
Band Contact:  hallvardgaardlos@hotmail.com
KARISMA RECORDS
Promo and other information: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records Bandcamp: https://karismarecords.bandcamp.com
Karisma Records on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor
Karisma Records 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

SWEDISH PROG ROCKERS RITUAL DEBUT VIDEO TRAILER FOR UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: July 16, 2024 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Much curiosity was aroused when Karisma Records recently announced the details of the upcoming album from Swedish Prog Rockers RITUAL.  Primarily because this was to be the band’s first release in 17 years, but also because the title “The Story of Mr. Bogd – Part 1”, implied that therein there is a tale to be told!

And indeed there is, because, as fans of the band will know, RITUAL are quite adept at storytelling, as their previous five albums have shown, and this time they have chosen to tell the tale of Mr Bogd, an affluent,  well-established member of society who comes to the realisation that his life holds no satisfaction for him.  But what else can he do?  Well, he can leave his job and his comfortable urban life, and seek out an alternative. 

So, together with his coachman Parkhurst, and, riven with doubts, but convinced of the rightness of what he is doing, off he sets on a journey through an increasingly wild and dangerous environment.

And now, thanks to the vivid imagination of artist Javier “Canelito” Herbozo, we are being afforded not just a musical glimpse into “The Story of Mr. Bogd – Part 1”, but also a visual one, in the form of a Video Trailer that can be seen below and on YouTube at https://youtu.be/cbTn7wNk7yM

At its heart, “The Story of Mr. Bogd – Part 1” is a story about maintaining ones innocence, and finding sanity and self- esteem, and deciding what we are prepared to give up in order to do so. It is a blissful blend of road movie, classic fairytale, buddy movie and adventure epic, set in an imaginary land in an era reminiscent of late 19th century Europe. And its musical soundtrack covers a large amount of stylistic ground. Ground that ranges from intense and powerful rock, to musically elaborate and intricate tracks, along with some odd and even quirky moments, and of course some acoustic, folky songs.

“The Story of Mr. Bogd – Part 1” will be released in CD, Digital and Limited Edition Transparent Violet Vinyl LP formats, and is now available to pre-order from:

Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop
US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com/pre-orders
Bandcamp: https://ritualsweden.bandcamp.com/album/the-story-of-mr-bogd-part-1

Tracklisting on “The Story of Mr. Bogd – Part 1”, which features artwork by Javier “Canelita” Herbozo,  is as follows:

01. A Hasty Departure
02. The Inn of the Haunted Owl
03. Dreams in a Brougham
04. Chichikov Bogd
05. Mr. Tilly and his Gang
06. Through a Rural Landscape
07. The Feline Companion
08. Read all about it!
09. Forgotten Qualities
10. The Three Heads of the Well

When they formed in 1993, RITUAL immediately established a distinct progressive style that is very much their own.  Influenced by the progressive rock and hardrock of the ‘70s, as well as contemporary bands, RITUAL’s sound has always been song-based, melodic and intense, with a great stylistic variation, and plenty of folk music influences seeping in. The latter feature is not least due to the band’s frequent use of acoustic instruments like bouzouki, mandola, whistles and the Swedish nyckelharpa (a keyed fiddle).

With a  lineup composed of Patrik Lundström on lead vocals and guitar, Fredrik Lindqvist on bass, mandola, dulcimer, recorder and vocals, Jon Gamble on keyboards and  vocals, and Johan Nordgren on drums, nyckelharpa and vocals, RITUAL have established themselves as a confident and powerful live band through numerous tours around Europe and appearances at international festivals such as Rites Of Spring Fest in the USA and Baja Prog in Mexico.

RITUAL’s next live appearance will be on the 20th July at the Night of the Prog Festival, at the Loreley Amphitheater, in Bornich, Germany.

RITUAL recently debuted the track “Chichikov Bogd” from the album “The Story of Mr. Bogd – Part 1”, and it can be downloaded or streamed from a number of services at https://orcd.co/chichikovbogd

More information about RITUAL can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ritual.se or on the band’s website at https://ritual.se   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
RITUAL
Ritual on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ritual.se
Ritual Website:  https://ritual.se
Band Contact:  ritual.se@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

DARK ESSENCE RECORDS RELEASE NEW SINGLE FROM UPCOMING MADDER MORTEM ALBUM

Posted: January 12, 2024 in DARK ESSENCE RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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With the release date of  MADDER MORTEM  “Old Eyes, New Heart”,  fast approaching, Dark Essence Records have today revealed a new track from the album.  Titled “Unity”, it is, according to the band:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. Coming from the Dark
  2. On Guard
  3. Master Tongue
  4. The Head that Wears the Crown
  5. Cold Hard Rain
  6. Unity
  7. Towers
  8. Here and Now
  9. Things I’ll Never Do
  10. 10.   Long Road

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

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

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
MADDER MORTEM
Madder Mortem  Website: http://www.maddermortem.com/
Madder Mortem Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mmortem
Madder Mortem Bandcamp: https://maddermortem.bandcamp.com
Madder Mortem Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddermortemofficial/
Madder Mortem YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLLOBPu8Kr25bWceExl_YXA
Madder Mortem Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MadderMOfficial  
Band Contact and Booking: mail@maddermortem.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/

MADDER MORTEM RELEASE NEW SINGLE FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: December 13, 2023 in DARK ESSENCE RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
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Five years after the release of “Marrow” MADDER MORTEM will be back on the 26th January 2024 with their 8th full-length album “Old Eyes, New Heart”, and, whilst fans wait for its release, Dark Essence Records has today debuted a single taken from the album. 

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

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

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

https://link.darkessencerecords.no/MadderMortem_THTWTC

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

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

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

  1. Coming from the Dark
  2. On Guard
  3. Master Tongue
  4. The Head that Wears the Crown
  5. Cold Hard Rain
  6. Unity
  7. Towers
  8. Here and Now
  9. Things I’ll Never Do
  10. Long Road

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
MADDER MORTEM
Madder Mortem  Website: http://www.maddermortem.com/
Madder Mortem Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mmortem
Madder Mortem Bandcamp: https://maddermortem.bandcamp.com
Madder Mortem Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddermortemofficial/
Madder Mortem YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLLOBPu8Kr25bWceExl_YXA
Madder Mortem Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MadderMOfficial  
Band Contact and Booking: mail@maddermortem.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 TO RELEASE THREE PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED EPS FROM ALTERNATIVE ROCKERS SEIGMEN

Posted: November 20, 2023 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Three previously unreleased EPs from Alternative Rockers SEIGMEN are set to appear on Karisma Records on the 8th December. All three, titled “Rosa”, “Gul” and “Beige” respectively, will only be available in 12″ vinyl format, with each title strictly limited to 350 copies.

Founded in Tønsberg in 1989, SEIGMEN is one of Norway’s greatest and most recognized rock bands of all time, and, in 2019, they played a historic 4-day stint at the legendary Hulen in Bergen. Hulen is a venue that was very important to SEIGMEN in the early days, and this special set of shows gave the band the chance to reproduce four of their old 90s Hulen setlists. It was an occasion where a lot of songs were played for the first time in many, many years.

Motivated by this, SEIGMEN decided to record a few of their oldest songs – songs that dated back to the time when the band was known as KLISNE SEIGMENN. This would be the first time that these songs would actually be recorded in a studio, as, until now, they had only ever been played live. The tracks were recorded at Velvet Recording in Spydeberg, Norway. Which is the same studio where SEIGMEN’s legendary album “Total” was recorded back in 1994.

The A-sides of the EPs, will therefore contain the new studio recordings of those early songs, whilst the B-sides are made up of live performances recorded during those memorable 4 days at Hulen.

Kim Ljung, the band’s bass player/songwriter explains how those original songs first came about:

I remember that night in 1989 well. I was invited to Ubåtkaia by Sverre, Alex and Noralf – Klisne Seigmenn. They were only three guys, and needed a guy on bass.

They played the set that was going to be performed at Sjøormen in Tønsberg only a couple of months later. I was knocked to the ground. Blown away by the five songs presented and the power and intensity in the room. The songs are as good today as they were then. That it would take more than 30 years to get them recorded, is plain madness.

With cover design by Sigurd Kristiansen, tracklistings for the EPs are as follows:

Rosa
1. Rosa Boots
2. Monument (live)
3. Negativ (live)
4. Döderlein (live)
5. Korstoget (live)

Gul
1. Sure Tær
2. Monsun (live)
3. Sort Disippel (live)
4. Korsfarer (live)
5. Nemesis (live)

Beige
1. Mye dritt
2. Pappagutt
3. Performance Alpha (live)
4. Universal (live)
5. Neon Sun (live)
6. Performance Bravo (live)

All three EPs are now available to pre-order from:

https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/

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

A video for the title track from SEIGMEN’s 1995 album “Metropolis” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/BT0ZfftLaXA

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SEIGMEN
Seigmen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Seigmen/
Seigmen YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/SeigmenVEVO/videos
Seigmen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seigmen/
Seigmen Twitter: https://twitter.com/Seigmenofficial
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

MADDER MORTEM REVEAL DETAILS OF UPCOMING 8TH ALBUM PLUS NEW SINGLE & VIDEO

Posted: November 15, 2023 in DARK ESSENCE RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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One of Norway’s most interesting bands, MADDER MORTEM, has always defied any attempt at genre-labeling. Fronted by Agnete M. Kirkevaag’s unique, wide-ranging voice, it can be said that they pretty much define the “All Things To All Men” category, drawing fans who profess a liking for genres that range from Prog to Metal, Rock to Extreme. 

But make no mistake, this is not a band that wanders aimlessly through the genre minefield.  MADDER MORTEM know exactly what they are doing and where they want to go, and have had almost 30 years to hone their very considerable skills. Skills that will be used to good effect on what will be the band’s 8th full-length album, which will be titled “Old Eyes, New Heart” and will be out on Dark Essence Records on  January 26th 2024.

And while we wait for the release day, Dark Essence have brought us the first single from the album. Titled “Towers”, the band had this to say about it:

Drawing inspiration from grunge, post-metal and 70s rock, “Towers” is about how people sometimes create defences in their heads to protect themselves. However, those defences can become too strong over time, and what was once built to lock out, becomes something that locks in.

“Towers” can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of sources at https://link.darkessencerecords.no/MadderMortem_Towers

An accompanying video by Patrick Scantlebury can be seen below and at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzf7cvrk3jU

It has been five years since MADDER MORTEM released their seventh full-length album “Marrow”, and it has been a long, hard journey, beset by turmoil and heartbreaking loss, which culminated in the death of Jakob, father of the band’s vocalist Agnete and guitarist BP. 

Jakob had always been a huge supporter of the band, and his backing was fundamental to the launch of MADDER MORTEM’s career. Being an artist himself, Jakob had worked on two paintings for “Old Eyes, New Heart”, and, thanks to the band’s long-term collaborator artist and video producer Costin Chioreanu, who was able to adapt Jakob’s work and provide additional design, the cover art was completed.

Even though Jakob didn’t live to see the finished album, he would have been immensely proud to see his art on the cover, and the album is dedicated to his memory.

Track listing for “Old Eyes, New Heart” is as follows:

  1. Coming from the Dark
  2. On Guard
  3. Master Tongue
  4. The Head that Wears the Crown
  5. Cold Hard Rain
  6. Unity
  7. Towers
  8. Here and Now
  9. Things I’ll Never Do
  10. Long Road

“Old Eyes, New Heart” was recorded and produced by BP M. Kirkevaag, and shows MADDER MORTEM’s lineup of Agnete M. Kirkevaag on vocals, BP M. Kirkevaag on guitar & vocals, Anders Langberg on guitars, Tormod L. Moseng on bass and Mads Solås on drums embracing a multitude of directions, spanning from post-metal heaviness to soft Americana grooves and everything in between.

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

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

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

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
MADDER MORTEM
Madder Mortem  Website: http://www.maddermortem.com/
Madder Mortem Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mmortem
Madder Mortem Bandcamp: https://maddermortem.bandcamp.com
Madder Mortem Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddermortemofficial/
Madder Mortem YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLLOBPu8Kr25bWceExl_YXA
Madder Mortem Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MadderMOfficial  
Band Contact and Booking: mail@maddermortem.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/

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

JAZZ VETERANS BUSHMAN’S REVENGE RELEASE SINGLE FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: July 5, 2023 in IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Fans of Jazz veterans BUSHMAN’S REVENGE won’t have to wait until September to hear what “All The Better For Seeing You”,  the band’s eleventh full-length album, sounds like, because today Is It Jazz? Records have released a single from the album.

The track, titled “Hollowed Be Thy Fame” is, as the band explains, the perfect track to remind long-time followers what has gone into shaping BUSHMAN’S REVENGE into what it is today, as well as acting as an introduction to new listeners:

“Hollowed BeThy Fame” was one of the first ones written for the new record. With this one we kind of tried to sum up most of the elements that have made up the band to this point in one song: the freer stuff, the rockier stuff, the riffier parts, the more soundtracky stuff etc. 20 years on, it hopefully sounds a little bit old, and a little bit new at the same time. Same as us!

“Hollowed Be Thy Fame” can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at

https://link.isitjazzrecords.no/Bushmans-Revenge-Hollowed-be-thy-fame

Not only will BUSHMAN’S REVENGE be celebrating the release of a new album this year, they will also be celebrating twenty years since Even Helte Hermansen on Guitar,  Rune Nergaard on  Bass, and Gard Nilssen on Drums first got together to form the band. 

In those twenty years, BUSHMAN’S REVENGE have garnered a stellar reputation world-wide amongst critics and fans alike. Not just as a as a consummate studio band, but also as a live band that demonstrates explosive energy and telepathic interplay.

“All The Better For Seeing You” is a culmination of two decades of exploration and experimentation with different sounds and musical direction, the result of which has been the creation of a genre specific to BUSHMAN’S REVENGE. It is a sound that exemplifies all the energy of Rock, but Rock that is given free rein thanks to the band’s Jazz elements

With artwork by Per Spjøtvold, track listing for “All The Better For Seeing You” 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” will be released on the 8th September in CD, Digital and Green Vinyl formats, and is available to pre-order now from:

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

**  Using the code “bushman” when Pre-ordering “All The Better For Seeing You” through the Is It Jazz? Records Webshop qualifies you for a  30% discount on all other Is it Jazz? Records releases.

No celebration for a band, especially one like BUSHMAN’S REVENGE,  would be complete of course without live appearances,  and BUSHMAN’S REVENGE will hit the road for a series of dates on their 20th Anniversary Tour.  Routing as follows:

BUSHMAN’S REVENGE 20th ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2023
“All The Better For Seeing You”

30.06: Mandaljazz (NO)
19.08: Blå, Oslojazz (NO) feat; Alexander Hawkins-Organ
19.09: TBA, 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) (with Kresten Osgood3)
06.11: TBA, Hamburg (DK)
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 (DE)
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

A video of BUSHMAN’S REVENGE’s appearance at 2022’s Cologne Jazzweek can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/lHRbDsu56J4

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

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

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