Record Reviews
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  | TUSMORKE ~ FORT BAK LYSET
SVART 401 (Barcode: 6430050666088) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2014 - 2015 Released: 2016
This is the third album by Norwegian Prog group TusmorkeFind albums by this artist, which consists of twin brothers: vocalist / bassist Benedikt MomrakFind albums by this artist and vocalist / flautist Kristoffer MomrakFind albums by this artist (both playing a plethora of other instruments between them), keyboardist Lars Fredrik FroislieFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin Nordrum KneppenFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original songs, all written by the Momrak brothers.
From the very first moment the music starts playing it is pretty obvious that the band decided to go back to the glorious tradition of the original Progressive Rock from the late 1960s / early 1970s, and skip the tedious Neo-Prog idiom completely. Musically Tusmorke is heavily influenced by Jethro TullFind albums by this artist, but combines in their music many other motifs, including Nordic Folklore, Medieval Music, and some Heavy / Dark Rock, creating a wonderful amalgam that can justly be called Prog, despite the fact that the idiom has been gone for almost five decades. The subject matter involves Norwegian mythology, which apparently is as rich and mysterious as any other existing mythology.
Although the music is pretty complex and offers several themes within each song, the songs are more condensed this time, ranging between four and eight minutes, and as such more coherent, but still allow the creation of atmospheric buildup and structural dynamics. The prevailing ambience of Medieval troubadours and Gregorian chanting is absolutely magical.
The music is deeply soaked in the keyboards sound (as the band does not feature a lead guitar), but those sound (or are) authentic like the keyboards of the original period, rather than the synthesizer imitating the past, which adds considerably to the authenticity and overall atmosphere of the music. The vocals, which in most cases are sung unisono, are not necessarily at the epicenter of the music and are skillfully integrated in the overall aural experience.
The sound quality of the album is rather murky, which adds to the retro effect, but the music suffers to some extent, but charmingly so. Hopefully this music will never fall into Steven WilsonFind albums by this artist’s claws. The album is now out of print and is pretty difficult to find, but it is definitely worth the effort of finding a copy.
Overall it is quite obvious that Tusmorke is one of the few true Prog bands active today and their albums belong to the finest achievements of the idiom in 2010s. This is an absolute must for all Prog lovers, as are all other albums released by the band so far. Brilliant stuff!
| | Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: 10/09/2021 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | TUSMORKE ~ HINSIDES
SVART 089 (Barcode: 6430050669744) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2015 - 2016 Released: 2017
This is the fourth album by Norwegian Prog group TusmorkeFind albums by this artist, which consists of twin brothers: vocalist / bassist Benedikt MomrakFind albums by this artist and vocalist / flautist Kristoffer MomrakFind albums by this artist (both playing a plethora of other instruments between them), keyboardist Lars Fredrik FroislieFind albums by this artist (who is also a member of other prominent Norwegian Prog bands like WobblerFind albums by this artist, White WillowFind albums by this artist and others) and drummer Martin Nordrum KneppenFind albums by this artist (also a member of Wobbler). Sverre JensenFind albums by this artist plays several instruments and adds some vocals and Morten ObyFind albums by this artist plays congas on one track. The album presents five original songs, all written by the Momrak brothers,
By the time this album was recorded Tusmorke crystalized their group sound and musical direction, emerging as one of the most important contemporary Prog groups. The music, based on the tradition set by Prog Godfathers in the late 1960s / early 1970s, which is cautiously preserved, is however completely original, and offers an updated version of the original Prog sound and aesthetics.
The music has a distinct Medieval atmosphere, with the flute and a plethora of analog synthesizers perfectly setting the aural background. The album’s magnum opus – a twenty-three+ minutes long suite – references to the 14th Century Black Death pandemic (how appropriate for the times this text is written), St. Sebastian and his role as protector against plague. The lyrics include Latin texts from Medieval sources, and the entire piece sounds like a soundtrack of a sacral rite. Beyond the strictly musical aspects of the album, which are all wonderful, it is great to see the intellectual involvement invested in this project, again something typical of the overall approach of the early Prog idiom.
For fans of the original Prog, the music of Tusmorke is a true blessing and as the people who experienced that music at the time it was born, a most welcome resurrection and a relief of the shallow (musically and intellectually) Neo-Prog attempt to carry on. Quite possibly the young listeners exposed to this music might also seek out some of the original Prog recordings, which really lost nothing of their charm over the five decades that passed so quickly.
This album is an absolutely essential listening experience and as such is wholeheartedly recommended. Hats off!
| | Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: 01/03/2021 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | TUSMORKE ~ RISET BAK SPEILET
SVART 270 (Barcode: 6430050661762) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014
This is the second album by Norwegian Prog group TusmorkeFind albums by this artist, which consists of twin brothers: vocalist / bassist Benedikt MomrakFind albums by this artist and vocalist / flautist Kristoffer MomrakFind albums by this artist (both playing a plethora of other instruments between them), keyboardist Lars Fredrik FroislieFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin Nordrum KneppenFind albums by this artist. Five guest musicians contribute on selected tracks. The album presents eight original songs (the LP version of the album includes only five songs and the additional three appear only on the CD version as bonuses), all written by the Momrak brothers.
From the very first moment the music starts playing it is pretty obvious that the band decided to go back to the glorious tradition of the original Progressive Rock from the late 1960s / early 1970s, and skip the tedious Neo-Prog idiom completely. Musically Tusmorke (at least on this album) is heavily influenced by Jethro TullFind albums by this artist, but combines in their music many other motifs, including Nordic Folklore, Medieval Music, and some Heavy / Dark Rock, creating a wonderful amalgam that can justly be called Prog, despite the fact that the idiom has been gone for almost five decades.
The music is pretty complex and offers extended pieces lasting close to ten minutes in duration and in one case even fifteen minutes, which allows the creation of atmospheric buildup and structural dynamics.
The music is deeply soaked in the keyboards sound (as the band does not feature a lead guitar), but those sound (or are) authentic like the keyboards of the original period, rather than the synthesizer imitating the past, which adds considerably to the authenticity and overall atmosphere of the music. The vocals, which in most cases are sung unisono, are not necessarily in the focus of the music and are skillfully integrated in the overall aural experience.
The sound quality of the album is rather murky, which adds to the retro effect, but the music suffers to some extent, but charmingly so. Hopefully this music will never fall into Steven WilsonFind albums by this artist’s claws.
Overall it is quite obvious that Tusmorke is one of the few true Prog bands active today and their albums belong to the finest achievements of the idiom in 2010s. This is an absolute must for all Prog lovers, as are all other albums released by the band so far. Brilliant stuff!
| | Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: 26/02/2021 | CD 1 Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | WOBBLER ~ AFTERGLOW
KARISMA 209 (Barcode: 7090008312093) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2007 - 2008 Released: 2021
This is a reissue of the second album by Norwegian Prog group WobblerFind albums by this artist. Same as the debut, it was recorded by a quartet lineup, which included guitarist Morten Andreas EriksenFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Lars Fredrik FroislieFind albums by this artist, bassist Kristian Karl HultgrenFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin Nordrum KneppenFind albums by this artist, and four guest musicians. The album presents five original compositions, including two lasting well over ten minutes, all written by the group members. The material was written in 1999, before the debut album was recorded, and was not used on the debut album. The group returned to it, giving it a “second chance”, which is quite different from the early demo versions of this material.
Wobbler, like many other Norwegian Prog groups, explore the original sound Prog, which developed in the early 1970s, and often sound remarkably similar to Prog forefathers, completely skipping the dreaded Neo-Prog doodling. The music on this album shows more Classical / Early Music / Medieval Music references than the debut, as well as some hints of Heavy Metal, but it is a classic Symphonic Prog at its best, which nobody can deny ;)
The music is remarkably melodic, with the intrinsic Nordic melancholy well incorporated, but more energetic and harder sounding elements are also present, creating a fascinating continuity and remarkable coherence, which make this album a delightful sonic experience. For experienced Prog listeners, especially those well versed in the original Prog period, this album certainly rises fond memories and a worm familiarity.
Prog, or rather the core of Symphonic Prog, to which this music belongs, it an intrinsically limited genre, and as such operates mostly within pre-destined limits, which allow little flexibility. Wobbles certainly manage to stretch the limits of the genre to the max, and their superb melodic and harmonic capabilities are certainly outstanding.
Overall, this album and its predecessor and successor (“HinterlandFind albums with this title” and “Rites At DawnFind albums with this title”), all recently reissued, are a superb Prog triumvirate, which can be warmly recommended to all lovers of the genre. They proudly represent the Norwegian Prog scene, which is certainly alive and kicking, in parallel to other Scandinavian Prog scenes. Great to have this available again!
| | Updated: 30/03/2022Posted: 30/03/2022 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | WOBBLER ~ HINTERLAND
KARISMA 208 (Barcode: 7090008312086) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2004 - 2005 Released: 2021
This is a reissue of the debut album by Norwegian Prog group WobblerFind albums by this artist, which was recorded by a quintet lineup, which included guitarist Morten Andreas EriksenFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Lars Fredrik FroislieFind albums by this artist, bassist Kristian Karl HultgrenFind albums by this artist, drummer Martin Nordrum KneppenFind albums by this artist and vocalist Tony JohannessenFind albums by this artist, as well as four guest musicians. The album presents four original compositions, including one lasting almost half an hour, two lasting well over ten minutes and one brief introductory track, all written by the group members.
Although the group had prepared material for an album, written in 1999, before the debut album was recorded, when the offer form the American label Laser`s EdgeFind albums on this label to release their music arrived, it was decided to write completely new music for the debut album. The group returned to the early material, giving it a “second chance”, when they recorded their second album.
Wobbler, like many other Norwegian Prog groups, explore the original sound Prog, which developed in the early 1970s, and often sound remarkably similar to Prog forefathers, completely skipping the dreaded Neo-Prog doodling. The music on this album shows more Classical / Early Music / Medieval Music references than the debut, as well as some hints of Heavy Metal, but it is a classic Symphonic Prog at its best, which nobody can deny ;)
The music is remarkably melodic, with the intrinsic Nordic melancholy well incorporated, but more energetic and harder sounding elements are also present, creating a fascinating continuity and remarkable coherence, which make this album a delightful sonic experience. For experienced Prog listeners, especially those well versed in the original Prog period, this album certainly rises fond memories and a worm familiarity.
Prog, or rather the core of Symphonic Prog, to which this music belongs, it an intrinsically limited genre, and as such operates mostly within pre-destined limits, which allow little flexibility. Wobbles certainly manage to stretch the limits of the genre to the max, and their superb melodic and harmonic capabilities are certainly outstanding.
Overall, this album and its two successors (“AfterglowFind albums with this title” and “Rites At DawnFind albums with this title”), all recently reissued, are a superb Prog triumvirate, which can be warmly recommended to all lovers of the genre. They proudly represent the Norwegian Prog scene, which is certainly alive and kicking, in parallel to other Scandinavian Prog scenes. Great to have this available again!
| | Updated: 03/04/2022Posted: 03/04/2022 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | WOBBLER ~ RITES AT DAWN
KARISMA 210 (Barcode: 7090008312109) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2009 - 2011 Released: 2021
This is a reissue of the third album by Norwegian Prog group WobblerFind albums by this artist. Following the two first albums, which were recorded by a quartet lineup, which included guitarist Morten Andreas EriksenFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Lars Fredrik FroislieFind albums by this artist, bassist Kristian Karl HultgrenFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin Nordrum KneppenFind albums by this artist, the lineup was expanded to include vocalist Andreas Wettergreen Stromman PrestmoFind albums by this artist, who became the group’s lyricist (In English). The album presents seven original compositions, including two lasting over ten minutes, all written by the group members, five of which include lyrics and two short instrumentals open and close the album.
Wobbler, like many other Norwegian Prog groups, explore the original sound Prog, which developed in the early 1970s, and often sound remarkably similar to Prog forefathers, completely skipping the dreaded Neo-Prog doodling. Prestmo, who’s vocal range is somewhat similar to Jon AndersonFind albums by this artist’s alto tenor, creates obvious associations, but does not go beyond into mimicking his style.
The music is remarkably melodic, with the intrinsic Nordic melancholy well incorporated, but more energetic and harder sounding elements are also present, creating a fascinating continuity and remarkable coherence, which make this album a delightful sonic experience. For experienced Prog listeners, especially those well versed in the original Prog period, this album certainly rises fond memories and a worm familiarity.
Prog, or rather the core of Symphonic Prog, to which this music belongs, it an intrinsically limited genre, and as such operates mostly within pre-destined limits, which allow little flexibility. Wobbles certainly manage to stretch the limits of the genre to the max, and their superb melodic and harmonic capabilities are certainly outstanding.
Overall, this album and its two predecessors (“HinterlandFind albums with this title” and “AfterglowFind albums with this title”), all recently reissued, are a superb Prog triumvirate, which can be warmly recommended to all lovers of the genre. They proudly represent the Norwegian Prog scene, which is certainly alive and kicking, in parallel to the other Scandinavian Prog scenes. Great to have this available again!
| | Updated: 30/03/2022Posted: 23/03/2022 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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