Record Reviews
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  | 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 ~ NORDISK KRIM
KARISMA 200 (Barcode: 7090008312000) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2019 - 2020 Released: 2021
This is the sixth 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 Ivar Haugalokken StangebyFind albums by this artist (also a member of the Norwegian band ActionfredagFind albums by this artist) and drummer Martin Nordrum KneppenFind albums by this artist (also member of the Norwegian Prog group WobblerFind albums by this artist). The 2CD album presents ten original songs, nine of which were written by Benedikt and one by Kristoffer Momrak.
With roots back in the mid-1990s and operating under the current moniker since 2009, Tusmorke managed to establish a formidable position on the contemporary European Prog scene, with six excellent Prog albums, one compilation, a couple of children’s albums. an EP and singles, their recorded legacy in just a decade leaves most of their “competition” in the dust.
Musically the group decided to make a “fast forward” time jump between the 1970s and 2010s, skipping the dreaded Neo-Prog boredom and simply continuing the Prog idiom from the time it flourished at its peak. The classic instrumentation, magic flute, heavy keyboards and fat bass bottom are all there, combined with lengthy, highly improvised instrumental passages, mythical lyrics and gutsy riffs, sticking to the wisdom of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”.
The double album offers a diverse tapestry of melody lines, quirky rhythm changes and plenty of surprises while the music is playing, with nostalgic reminiscences of long haired hippies and beautiful gals dancing on the grass. But memories aside, this is Prog or perhaps Folk-Prog at its best, which can be enjoyed with ease and lust for more. The Nordic Folk influences are an obvious influence, which adds another layer to the musical structure.
Personally I find the sound of this album a bit too muddled, but this definitely serves the overall atmosphere well. The keyboards are undeniably dominating the proceedings and as much as I love the organ and the Moog, I also enjoy the flute and acoustic guitars, which this time are significantly less present. Notwithstanding, as already mentioned, this is an absolutely delightful and fascinating listening experience.
Overall Tusmorke continue to produce consistently excellent albums, time after time, and Prog fans can rely on their output almost blindly, which of course is extremely rare these days. Well done indeed!
| | Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: 29/04/2021 | CD 2 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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