Posts Tagged ‘Rock’

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

DARK ESSENCE RECORDS REVEALS NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO FROM UPCOMING SLEGEST ALBUM

Posted: January 6, 2023 in DARK ESSENCE RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES, SLEGEST
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Dark Essence Records will kick off 2023 with the release of “Avstand”, the fourth full-length album from Norwegian Heavy Rockers SLEGEST, and, whilst fans are waiting for the 20th January so that they can get their hands on it, the label has today released a new single from the album, together with an accompanying video.

“Forløysning og Rus” is the track that has been chosen, and its title and content have a particular significance for the band, as they explain:

“Forløysning og Rus” means “redemption and intoxication”, two important components in SLEGEST. The song bursts with energy and nasty riffs, and can easily be played at maximum volume.

The single “Forløysning og Rus” can be streamed or downloaded from a number of services at

https://link.darkessencerecords.no/Slegest_Forloysning-og-rus

Whilst the video, which was filmed  by Håvard Nesbø and is shot at an abandoned farm and an old house of worship in the band’s hometown of Leikanger, can be seen below.

Formed  in 2010 by guitarist and vocalist Ese, SLEGEST started life as a solo project and it wasn’t until 2013 that it evolved into a recording and live band.  Aside from Ese, today’s lineup comprises Sør on guitars, Hövard on bass, and the newly announced drummer Chris.  In fact, it is the arrival of Chris, whose previous experience playing live with the band has stood him in good stead, has proved to be significant for SLEGEST in that “Avstand” is the first album on which Ese does not play drums himself.

Known for their no-nonsense, head banging heavy rock,  “Avstand”  marks a change to SLEGEST’s hard-hitting heavy metal sound.  It is still very much SLEGEST, with its trademark Black Metal and Classic 70’s and 80’s heavy rock overtones, but this time the band has chosen to freshen things up by upping the tempo a bit.  

Inspired by Nietzsche’s The Birth of Tragedy, “Avstand”  was mixed by Herbrand Larsen at the Conclave & Earshot Studio, and mastered by Iver Sandøy at the Duper/Solslottet Studio, both in Bergen.  With artwork by Tom Korsvold, “Avstand” Tracklisting is as follows:

1. Innsikt
2. Evigheit på Evigheit
3. Forløysning og Rus
4. Vinterkristus
5. Gåte
6. Er det deg Livet?
7. Til det Største som Finst
8. Oh Baby (Status Quo cover)

“Avstand” will be available in CD, Vinyl and Digital formats and is now available to pre-order from

https://link.darkessencerecords.no/Slegest_Avstand

SLEGEST are set to join KAMPFAR on a series of dates in Norway during January and February.  Routing is as follows:

JANUARY
Fri 20: Rockeeller / John Dee / Centrum Scene, Oslo
Sat 21: Verkstedhallen & Lobbyen, Trondheim
FEBRUARY
Fri 03: Ovenpaa, Kopervik
Sat 04: Hulen, Bergen

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

Additional Information
SLEGEST
Contact & Booking:  slegest@slegest.no
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slegest
Slegest Website: http://www.slegest.no/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slegest/
Bandcamp: http://slegest.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: http://bit.ly/slegestonspotify
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Slegest
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/slegest
DARK ESSENCE RECORDS
Contact: post@karismarecords.no 
Website: www.darkessencerecords.no
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darkessencerecords
Bandcamp:  http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/DarkEssenceRecords
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkessencerecords/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarkEssenceRec
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records
Webshop: https://www.darkessencerecords.no
North American Webshop:  https://darkessence.indiemerch.com
Australian Webshop:  https://www.heavymetalmerchant.com/bands/d/dark-essence-records/

NEW VIDEO AND SINGLE FROM UPCOMING SLEGEST ALBUM REVEALED

Posted: November 25, 2022 in DARK ESSENCE RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES, SLEGEST
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Having recently announced the much-anticipated new album from SLEGEST, Dark Essence Records have revealed a first glimpse into the kind of no-nonsense Heavy Rock that fans have come to expect from the band, and that which, on their latest full-length “Avstand”, is there in spades.

The first dip into the album comes, in fact, in the form of both a single, and a video for the opening track “Innsikt”, which is a heavy, huge, straight forward, and frankly unstoppable piece that was written during the winter of 2021 in the midst of the sublime wilderness of Western Norway. As the band explains:

The universal truths that life and the world is built upon, can best be discovered and described via the language of fine arts, not via the rational language of science and mathematics nor the Christian perspective for that matter. “Innsikt” means insight. This one is for following the natural, untamed and instinctive life force, and for not suppressing it. Play loud!

The single “Innsikt” can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at https://link.darkessencerecords.no/Slegest_Innsikt

Whilst the video can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/Cz87lUFTGRI

Inspired by Nietzsche’s The Birth of Tragedy, “Avstand”, the band’s fourth full-length album, is unmistakably SLEGEST doing what SLEGEST does best, but this time they have upped the tempo a bit, giving a freshness and originality to their hard-hitting heavy metal sound which is imbued with Black Metal and classic 70’s and 80’s heavy rock.

With artwork by Tom Korsvold, “Avstand” was mixed by Herbrand Larsen at the Conclave & Earshot Studio and mastered by Iver Sandøy at the Duper/Solslottet Studio, both in Bergen. Tracklisting is as follows:

1. Innsikt
2. Evigheit på Evigheit
3. Forløysning og Rus
4. Vinterkristus
5. Gåte
6. Er det deg Livet?
7. Til det Største som Finst
8. Oh Baby (Status Quo cover)

“Avstand” will be available in CD, Vinyl and Digital formats and is now available to pre-order from

Album: https://link.darkessencerecords.no/Slegest_Avstand

SLEGEST was originally formed by Ese back in 2010 as a solo project and didn’t become a full recording and live band until 2013. Today’s lineup comprises Ese on guitar and vocals, Sør on guitars, Hövard on bass, and the newly announced drummer Chris, who had previous experience playing live with the band, and whose arrival meant that “Avstand” would be the first album on which Ese did not play drums himself.

With the band raring to go and bring its latest work to a live audience, a first series of dates has been announced which will see SLEGEST and KAMPFAR in the new year in. 

Routing is as follows:

JANUARY
Fri 20: Rockeeller / John Dee / Centrum Scene, Oslo
Sat 21: Verkstedhallen & Lobbyen, Trondheim
FEBRUARY
Fri 03: Ovenpaa, Kopervik
Sat 04: Hulen, Bergen

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

Additional Information
SLEGEST
Contact & Booking:  slegest@slegest.no
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slegest
Slegest Website: http://www.slegest.no/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slegest/
Bandcamp: http://slegest.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: http://bit.ly/slegestonspotify
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Slegest
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/slegest
DARK ESSENCE RECORDS
Contact: post@karismarecords.no 
Website: www.darkessencerecords.no
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darkessencerecords
Bandcamp:  http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/DarkEssenceRecords
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkessencerecords/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarkEssenceRec
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records
Webshop: https://www.darkessencerecords.no
North American Webshop:  https://darkessence.indiemerch.com
Australian Webshop:  https://www.heavymetalmerchant.com/bands/d/dark-essence-records/

KARISMA RECORDS REVEALS NEW SINGLE FROM NORWEGIAN ROCKERS WIZRD

Posted: September 29, 2022 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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In less than a month’s time WIZRD are set to release their debut full-length album  “Seasons” on Karisma Records, and, as a taste of things to come, the label has released a new single from the Norwegian Rockers. 

What is particularly interesting about the chosen track “Fire & Water” is that it is one that marks the very beginning  of WIZRD’s existence and therefore fans have the opportunity to trace the band’s progression in terms of writing and concept, from the ground up.   It is also a track on which WIZRD were lucky enough to attract WHITE DENIM’s JAMES PETRALLI to perform guest vocals.

As WIZRD’s Hallvard Gaardløs explains:

“Fire & Water” was one of the very first songs we wrote together as a group, even before the band was called WIZRD. I think this one and the track “All Is As It Should Be” dates all the way back to 2015! I have been a huge White Denim fan ever since I saw them at Hove Festivalen in 2008, so to have James Petralli sing this song was a big deal for me. I was nervous as hell when I called him on Zoom, but he turned out to be a great guy, and his performance is simply incredible. I hope you enjoy listening to “Fire & Water” as much as we enjoyed making it!

The single, “Fire & Water”, can be streamed or downloaded from a number of services at https://link.karismarecords.no/Wizrd_FireAndWater

Consisting 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, WIZRD’s lineup met when they were all students at the prestigious Jazz Conservatory in Trondheim. 

By combining their respective musical interests and the skills they learned at the Conservatory, WIZRD have, with “Seasons”,  created a debut album that mixes progressive and improvisational elements, with Rock and Pop overtones.  In fact, “Seasons”  makes it very clear that the band is happy to test their limits and break a few rules in order to fill the album with  beautiful vocal harmonies, stunning melodies, quirky jazz grooves driven by a sense of rock’n’roll that is to die for.

“Seasons” is produced by Norwegian film score composer and JAGA JAZZIST drummer Martin Horntveth, and  was recorded at the Studio Paradiso in Oslo by Marcus Forsgren (BROR FORSGREN, JAGA JAZZIST) with vocals recorded at All Ape by Martin Horntveth. It was mixed by Bergen-based musician and producer Matias Tellez (YOUNG DREAMS, GIRL IN RED) at Blanca Records & Studio.

With artwork by Steph Hope,  tracklisting on “Seasons” is as follows:

1. Lessons
2. Free Will
3. Spitfire
4. All is as it should be
5. Show Me What You Got
6. Fire & Water
7. Divine
8. When You Call

“Seasons” will be available in CD, Digital and a Limited Edition LP in transparent magenta vinyl formats, and can now be pre-ordered from:

Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/kar239-wizrd-seasons/
Bandcamp: https://wizrd.bandcamp.com

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

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

MONSTEREO RELEASES ’90s VIBES PREVIOUSLY UN-RELEASED B-SIDE FROM LATEST ALBUM

Posted: September 7, 2022 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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With their third-full length album “In the Hollow of a Wave” having hit the streets on Karisma Records almost year ago, Norwegian rockers MONSTEREO have decided that, on the 7th September, they will celebrate with a new, never -before released digi single. 

As the band explains:

We decided to mark the occasion of the anniversary of the release of “In the Hollow of a Wave”  with a B-side taken from the original recordings. The tune is called “The Mirror Black” and it has a late summer-ish ’90s vibe, layered with electric guitars and tons of acoustic guitars, some mellow piano and tasteful mellotron. And of course, the bendy solo guitar that can be heard running through a Leslie speaker.

Written by our guitarist and vocalist Ola Utaaker Segadal , it was a hard tune to have to omit from the album and we  discussed it for weeks, but eventually we had to accept that we needed to remove two tracks in order to fit the record on one vinyl, so there you go!

The initial idea was to include the song on  our  fourth album, which is scheduled to be recorded some time during 2023, but, as it transpired, Ola and Øyvind had written so many new songs that it would have been hard to fit these two in. But we really like the track, so it is nice to release “The Mirror Black” in this way instead of just hiding it away.

“The Mirror Black”  is produced, mixed and mastered by Iver Sandøy, who also plays mellotron and percussions on the track, and was recorded at the Duper Studio in January 2020. With additional recordings in the  Solslottet studio and in Ola’s house later the same year, and with artwork by Robert Høyem, “The Mirror Black” can be downloaded or streamed from a number of services at

https://link.karismarecords.no/Monstereo_The_Mirror_Black

To further mark the occasion MONSTEREO are scheduled to play the following two shows:

Fri 9 Sept at Hulen in Bergen
Details at https://www.facebook.com/events/3320304674869731

Sat 10 Sept at Revolver in Oslo
Details at https://www.facebook.com/events/413196497294559

Supporting  MONSTEREO in Bergen will be GREEN SKY ACCIDENT, whilst joining them at the Oslo show will be fellow Karisma Records artists KOSMODOME.

MONSTEREO’s lineup includes Ola Utaaker Segadal on lead vocals and electric guitars, Øyvind Aase Fluge on electric guitars, Jørgen Stangeland Bach on Bass guitar, and Jon Bolstad on Drums and more details about the band can be found on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/monstereobergen, or on their website at http://www.monstereo.no/ 

A  video for the track “A Sudden Rush”, from MONSTEREO’s 2021 album “In the Hollow of a Wave” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/GXaW8vat4p8

Additional Information
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monstereobergen  
Website: http://www.monstereo.no/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MONSTEREOBERGEN/ 
Band Contact:  monstereo.bergen@gmail.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

NORWEGIAN ROCKERS WIZRD REVEAL DETAILS AND SINGLE FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: September 1, 2022 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Having learned their craft at the Jazz Conservatory in Trondheim, WIZRD have completed work on their new album “Seasons”, and Karisma Records have today released the track “Lessons” from the album.

“Lessons” is a track that gives an insight into what we can expect from the debut album from this talented Norwegian quartet, consisting 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.

The band’s Hallvard Gaardløs explains::

“Lessons” is somewhat the quintessential WIZRD song, at least for me. It is a good representation of what we intend to do on this album, mixing progressive and improvisational elements with rock & pop sensibilities. The lyrics are about the New Age movement, and the fact that I find it rather silly. I’m kind of just making fun of it all, comparing yoga to a sacrificing ritual for Satan. With that said, I practice yoga sometimes myself, so I guess that makes me a demon worshipper.. Oh well, why not! Hail Satan!

The single “Lessons” can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at

https://link.karismarecords.no/Wizrd_Lessons

“Seasons”  itself, is set for release on the 21st October, and showcases how WIZRD are more than happy to test their limits with a sound that encompasses  Rock and Indie to Jazz and Prog, whilst breaking a few rules along the way. The end result is a masterclass on how to produce a catchy  album that is filled with beautiful vocal harmonies, stunning melodies, quirky jazz grooves and a rock’n’roll drive to die for.

Produced by Norwegian film score composer and JAGA JAZZIST drummer Martin Horntveth, “Seasons” was recorded at the Studio Paradiso in Oslo by Marcus Forsgren (BROR FORSGREN, JAGA JAZZIST) and Horntveth, and mixed by Bergen based musician and producer Matias Tellez (YOUNG DREAMS, GIRL IN RED).

With artwork by Steph Hope,  tracklisting on “Seasons” is as follows:

1. Lessons
2. Free Will
3. Spitfire
4. All is as it should be
5. Show Me What You Got
6. Fire & Water
7. Divine
8. When You Call

“Seasons” will be available in CD, Digital and a Limited Edition LP in transparent magenta vinyl formats, and can now be pre-ordered from:

Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/kar239-wizrd-seasons/
Bandcamp: https://wizrd.bandcamp.com

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

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

IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS INKS DEAL WITH NEW JACOB HOLM-LUPO PROJECT SOLSTEIN

Posted: May 20, 2022 in IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES, Uncategorized
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Is it Jazz? Records have inked a deal with Norway’s SOLSTEIN, the latest project from multi-instrumentalist Jacob Holm-Lupo.  Inspired by jazz-rock, funk, prog rock and chill-out, SOLSTEIN, offers up an instrumental form of rock, where jazz harmony combines with proggy arrangements and soul/funk grooves.  The end result is a laid back, elegant, sound that oscillates between funky fusion and rock.

SOLSTEIN’s four- piece lineup have a  history that could be classed as illustrious.

On keyboards for SOLSTEIN is Brynjar Dambo, known for his work with WHITE WILLOW, PINE LAKE, DONNER, HAAKON ELLINGSEN

A published author of books on various artists including TOTO and BLUE ÖYSTER CULT,  Jacob Holm-Lupo himself, who will handle bass guitar, guitar and  keyboards, is known for his other projects WHITE WILLOW, THE OPIUM CARTEL and DONNER. He is also a much respected producer and audio engineer, working out of his Dude Ranch Studio, whose name is very well known to  fans of many of the bands on Is it Jazz? Records’ sister-label Karisma Records, with whom he has had a long collaboration. 

Guitarist Stian Larsen was educated at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where he specialised in Jazz. He has recorded with, amongst others, SMITH KOMMA JOHN, KÖÖK and PET ZOO, and played live with the likes of LÖV, DANIEL KVAMMEN and  BENDIK BAKSAAS, to name but a few.

Drummer Keith Carlock is a drum instructor who is a Grammy-winning recording artist and a Member of the Mississippi Musicians’ Hall of Fame.  STEELY DAN, DONALD FAGEN, WALTER BECKER, TOTO, JOHN MAYER and STING are amongst the myriad artists with whom he has recorded or played live.

The initial idea behind SOLSTEIN, which translated means “Sunstone,  was born from Jacob and Keith Carlock’s  2021 collaboration on “Hesitant Light”,  the debut album from DONNER, on which Keith’s playing pushed some of the material in a jazzier, funkier, direction that Jacob felt merited further exploration.

The band itself is named after a relatively rare rock whose main deposit is found along the coast in Southern Norway where Jacob lives on a small island. The Sunstone has copper-red crystals that refract light in a beautiful way when seen from different angles.

About their upcoming collaboration with Is it Jazz? Records, the band  had this to say:

SOLSTEIN are proud and pleased to sign with Is It Jazz? Records. We are looking forward to joining their artist roster and we feel their name reflects questions we often ask ourselves!

About their debut album, which will be titled “The Skerry” and which will be comprised of eight instrumental tracks, SOLSTEIN explained:

The making of our debut album has been a fun, light-hearted affair where zero fucks were given as to what the jazz police may have to say. Cheeky, 80’s-tinged fusion-soloing, pastel synths and a very open-minded interpretation of a Wayne Shorter classic are all par for the course. In fact there has only been one rule: No long solos. Keep it rock-length, not jazz-length.

More details about “The Skerry” will be revealed at a later date.

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

Additional Information
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

NORWEGIAN ROCKERS WIZRD JOIN THE KARISMA RECORDS ROSTER

Posted: March 1, 2022 in KARISMA RECORDS
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Rockers WIZRD, a band who happily dip their collective toes into all kinds of genres, from Rock and Indie to Jazz and Prog, have joined the roster of Karisma Records, with the label planning to release the band’s debut album during the latter half of 2022. A collaboration about which WIZRD had this to say:

We are super stoked to be working with Karisma Records for our upcoming debut album! To be working alongside such a skilled group of people is both a great pleasure and an honour for us. Together, we will take this music to the stars… and beyond!

Formed at the Jazz Conservatory in Trondheim, WIZRD’s four-piece line-up 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, Axel Skalstad (KROKOFANT, SOFT FFOG and more) on drums, are all musicians who definitely know all the rules, but deliberately set out to break them.

Since 2020, WIZRD have been hard at work on their album which will be produced by Norwegian film score composer and JAGA JAZZIST drummer Martin Horntveth. Recorded at the Studio Paradiso in Oslo by Marcus Forsgren (BROR FORSGREN, JAGA JAZZIST) and Horntveth, the album was mixed by Bergen based musician and producer Matias Tellez (YOUNG DREAMS, GIRL IN RED). More information regarding the album will be released in due time.

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/WIZRDTHEBAND/
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: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com

ROCKERS MONSTEREO REVEAL NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: August 4, 2021 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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With just over a month to go until the release of “In the Hollow of a Wave”, the third full-length album from Norwegian Rockers MONSTEREO, Karisma Records have today released a new single taken from the album.   Titled “Wings I: Everlasting Darkness”, the band had this to say about it:

“Wings I” is the soundtrack of supersonic spacetravel. A modern take on the 70s progressive rock. With obligatory duelling guitars, rumbling organs, several high pitched vocal tracks and spaced-out-synthesizers. A cacophony of sound culminating in a rock’n roll banger that pushes the pop format to the edge of outer space.

“Wings I: Everlasting Darkness” can be download or streamed from a variety of services at

https://karismarecords.fanlink.to/Monstereo_WingsIEverlastingDarkness

Whilst the lyric video can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/x-TnCVFMQUk

For over a decade now MONSTEREO’s lineup of Ola Utaaker Segadal on lead vocals and electric guitars, Øyvind Aase Fluge on electric guitars, Jørgen Stangeland Bach on Bass guitar, and Jon Bolstad on Drums have been delighting fans with their energy-filled rock songs.  

And, for “In the Hollow of a Wave”, MONSTEREO have used that energy to great effect, producing an album that is filled to the brim with the band’s trademark catchy melodies, heavy riffs and big sound,  all of which are seamlessly combined with exploratory instrumental sections that lead the listener towards a euphoric climax. 

The sound on “In the Hollow of a Wave”,  is far richer, and more broad,  than anything  the band has come up with before.  With the deft  use of more keyboards, synths, and a variety of guitars, MONSTEREO have, without a doubt,  produced their heaviest album to date, which,  according to the band, is filled with “teeth-grinding riffs, big choruses and rock-solid grooves”.

With artwork by Robert Høyem, track listing for “In the Hollow of a Wave” is as follows:

  1. Third Eye Seeing
  2. A Sudden Rush
  3. Wings I: Everlasting Darkness
  4. Jigsaw
  5. Witness
  6. Wings II: Beyond Horizons
  7. Wings III: Icarus
  8. Golden

Set for release on the 17th September, “In the Hollow of a Wave” will be available in CD, Vinyl and Digital formats, and can now be pre-ordered at:

Bandcamp: https://monstereo.bandcamp.com
Webshop:  https://www.karismarecords.no/product/preorder
US Webshop: https://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/ 

A  video for “A Sudden Rush”, the recently released first  single from the album can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/GXaW8vat4p8

More  information about MONSTEREO can be found on the band’s Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/monstereobergen, or on their website at http://www.monstereo.no/ 

Additional Information
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monstereobergen  
Website: http://www.monstereo.no/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MONSTEREOBERGEN/ 
Band Contact:  monstereo.bergen@gmail.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: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/

ALBUM DETAILS, VIDEO AND SINGLE REVEALED FROM UPCOMING MONSTEREO ALBUM

Posted: June 22, 2021 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: , , , ,
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With the 17th September set for the release of MONSTEREO’s latest studio outing, Karisma Records have revealed details of “In the Hollow of a Wave”, the third full-length album the Bergen Rockers.

Known for over a decade as a band that serves up energetic rock songs, MONSTEREO have come up with an album that is by far their heaviest to date, with a sound that is richer and broader than anything they have ever produced.  With more keyboards, synths, and a variety of guitars, “In the Hollow of a Wave” is,  according to the band, an album of filled with “teeth-grinding riffs, big choruses and rock-solid grooves”.

And, as of today,  fans get their first taste of “In the Hollow of a Wave”, with the release of “A Sudden Rush” the first single from the album, which, according to MONSTEREO, is:

An all out, in-your-face rock and roll banger. Perfect for a late summer night drenched in beer and drunken conversations, or a 50/50 strawberry daquiri at a music festival. This is a classic 1970s rock tune, with blazing guitars and a speaker-ripping groove. A homage to legends such as AC/DC and Grand Funk Railroad, topped with a smidge of inspiration from local produce in Bergen’s Electric Eye and The Megaphonic Thrift

“A Sudden Rush” is available to download or stream from a variety of services at https://karismarecords.fanlink.to/Monstereo_ASuddenRush

Whilst a video for “A Sudden Rush” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/GXaW8vat4p8

MONSTEREO’s  lineup consistis of Ola Utaaker Segadal on lead vocals and electric guitars, Øyvind Aase Fluge on electric guitars, Jørgen Stangeland Bach on Bass guitar, and Jon Bolstad on Drums. Together  they have created an album whose tracks represent the best of two worlds and  is filled with MONSTEREO’s trademark catchy melodies, heavy riffs and a big sound, which combine  with exploratory instrumental sections to  build towards a euphoric climax. 

With artwork by Robert Høyem, track listing for “In the Hollow of a Wave” is as follows:

  1. Third Eye Seeing
  2. A Sudden Rush
  3. Wings I: Everlasting Darkness
  4. Jigsaw
  5. Witness
  6. Wings II: Beyond Horizons
  7. Wings III: Icarus
  8. Golden

“In the Hollow of a Wave” will be available in CD, Vinyl and Digital formats, and can now be pre-ordered at:

Bandcamp: https://monstereo.bandcamp.com
Webshop:  https://www.karismarecords.no/product/preorder
US Webshop: https://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/ (US)

More  information about MONSTEREO can be found on the band’s Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/monstereobergen, or on their website at http://www.monstereo.no/ 

Additional Information
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monstereobergen  
Website: http://www.monstereo.no/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MONSTEREOBERGEN/ 
Band Contact:  monstereo.bergen@gmail.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: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/

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