Thomas Steen-Larsen
Infringement - 'Black Science and White Lies'
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Buy physical edition.
Black Science and White Lies follows a man's journey through faith, identity, and redemption. Raised under strict religious doctrines in a society that believes in divine salvation, he becomes disillusioned and abandons his faith. Running away from home, he embraces a new ideology and joins a seemingly perfect society.
However, his growing doubts about this utopia drive him to escape and face the world's harsh realities. Returning to his estranged father, he reflects on his mistakes and seeks redemption, ultimately longing to reconcile with the beliefs he once rejected. The story explores themes of spiritual conflict, personal transformation, and the quest for atonement.
Tracklist:
| Track: | Duration: | CD: | LP: | |||||
| 1. | White Lies | 20:08 | CD1-1 | A1 | ||||
| 2. | Black Science | 22:57 | CD1-2 | B1 | ||||
Line up:
| Hans Andreas Brandal | Lead vocal | |
| Stig André Clason | Guitars and vocal | |
| Kristoffer Utby | Drums and vocal | |
| Bård Thorstensen | Keyboards and vocal | |
| Emil Olsen | Bass, baritone, and vocals |
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The Windmill - 'Mindscapes'
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Mindscapes is the 4th album by Norwegian prog band The Windmill. All music and lyrics were composed and written by Jean Robert Viita and Erik Borgen. All arrangements by The Windmill.
The creation of this album, Mindscapes, is a testament to The Windmill's unwavering dedication and boundless creativity. It consists of four tracks, including the epic Fear and three other shorter songs. The album was meticulously written and recorded from October 2022 to April 2024 and expertly mixed and mastered by Karl Groom, ensuring a high-quality musical experience for the listeners.
Drawing inspiration from Camel, Genesis, and Jethro Tull, The Windmill has evolved their sound in this album. Mindscapes might have a slightly harder sound than their previous albums, promising a fresh and exciting musical experience for the fans.
Tracklist:
| Track: | Duration: | |||
| 1. | Fear | 22:47 | ||
| 2. | Calton Hill | 4:55 | ||
| 3. | I Still Care | 6:52 | ||
| 4. | Nothing in Return | 5:55 | ||
Line up:
| Arnfinn Isaksen | Bass guitar | |
| Stig André Clason | Lead guitar | |
| Erik Borgen | Guitars, Lead vocals | |
| Jean Robert Viita | Keyboards, Backing vocals | |
| Morten L. Clason | Flutes, Saxophone, Backing vocals | |
| Nils Harsem | Drums |
Other Credits:
| Kristoffer Utby | Drums on album | |
| Emil Olsen | Acoustic guitar on Fear | |
| Karl Groom | Mixing and mastering | |
| Stig André Clason | Desing | |
| Kirsten Knoph Viita | Artwork |
Information:
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The Windmill
The progressive rock band The Windmill was started in the autumn of 2001 as an occasional prog project for fun, as a side project alongside various other bands the band members then played in. The background for the band and the name is a "revelation" keyboard player Jean Robert Viita received in Germany in the early 90s. Above a hilltop, a windmill farm appeared, and Jeanni discovered that the rotors in the windmills seemed to rotate synchronously with Camel's "Moonmadness" playing on the car stereo. There and then, the seed of The Windmill was sown!
The first years were characterized by sporadic rehearsals, during which both own songs and classic prog songs were played just for fun. At that time, the idea of a permanently established band with live performances and recordings was relatively distant.
But ambitions tend to develop, and in autumn 2005, it was decided to start recording the debut album "To Be Continued....". They began with recordings and rehearsals in (then) guitarist Bent Jensen's studio in Fredrikstad, where a complete digital studio was available. The band started to take shape as a proper band and not just a side project, and regular rehearsals were introduced, parallel to the studio work.
Most members began to think this band was more attractive than those they were involved with and decided to commit themselves fully to The Windmill. A new drummer, Sven H. "Bulle" Borgen, was brought in as a replacement for Vidar Kleivane, who chose to retire.
After much trial and error in 2005 and 2006, the first live concert was held at Maiden in Oslo in April 2007 as a support act for another Norwegian prog band, Panzerpappa. This concert proved a success and spurred further efforts in the rehearsal room and studio.
After this, the recordings continued, and several concerts followed. A minor setback came in 2008 when drummer "Bulle" withdrew from the band. However, he finished the recording (drums) of "To be Continued...".
2009 started with a new drummer, Sam Arne Nøland, and a new rehearsal room in Åros. With Nøland's entry, a new glow came into the band, and more concerts followed.
At the beginning of 2010, guitarist Bent Jensen chose to retire due to a lot of work with Pulse of Floyd. The mixing of the debut album continued, however, and in mid-March, it was sent for mastering at Sterling Sound in New York, and "To Be Continued..." was released in May 2010 to fantastic reviews worldwide. The release gig was held on May 7, 2010, in Slemmestad. It was the first concert without lead guitarist Bent, and that created a little extra excitement. However, there was no need to panic: Morten and Erik tuned the guitars perfectly to fill in the gaps left by Bent. It was a fantastic concert, with a fantastic audience!
The next live performance was on July 31 of the same year, Up On The Farm BBQ, a festival based on food and music. Here, the new lead guitarist, Stig André Clason, was presented for the first time. His brilliant performance exceeded all expectations, and he became a permanent band member.
In 2011, The Windmill got the chance to bring their music out to a larger audience when a gratifying number of gigs appeared after the CD release: Nordkappfestivalen, Honningsvåg, warm-up for Fish in Drammen, and for The Watch at John Dee, Oslo, Norway and the Art Rock Festival in Lidköping, Sweden should be mentioned.
In the autumn of 2011, they returned to the studio to start recording the follow-up album "The Continuation".
During 2012, several great concerts were held in Norway, and a lot of hard work was done in the studio. The last chord was recorded at the end of December, and "The Continuation" was sent for mixing and mastering in mid-January 2013. Again, Lydspesialisten in Fredrikstad was responsible for mixing, and Sterling Sound was again responsible for mastering in New York. This time, it was also decided to press a limited edition of vinyl LPs. "The Continuation" was ready for release on March 13, 2013.
2010-2016 offered several pleasant tours and concerts at home and abroad. In particular, it was incredibly nice to play on the main stage at the Cambridge Rock Festival in 2014 and 2016, the Haugaland Progrock Festival in Haugesund with Junipher Greene in 2015, and the concert with Adventure and Fish at Kimen Cultural Center in Stjørdal also in 2015. The We Låve Rock Festival concert in Hurum in 2018 should also be mentioned, along with Arena and the Franck Carducci Band. In autumn 2016/spring 2017, the band acted as a backing band for Caamora Norway, which staged Clive Nolan's musical "Alchemy" at Sætre, Kolbotn, and Høytorp Fort at Mysen.
The recording of "Tribus" began in autumn 2016. The album consists of songs that had been in the live repertoire for a while and completely new songs that have never been played live. As usual, The Windmill has an epic song when it comes to a new album, and this year's contribution is called "The Tree" and clocks in at close to 24 minutes.
The album was partly recorded at Morten Clason's summer house in Sweden, at Stig André Clason's home studio in Oslo, and in the band's combined rehearsal room and studio in Hurum. Karl Groom (Threshold, Shadowland, Strangers On A Train) mixed and mastered the album at Thin Ice Studios in England.
In the spring of 2018, the band received the unspeakably sad news that drummer Sammi Nøland had contracted cancer. He just managed to record the drums on the entire album before his strength ran out in late April. In August, the news came that the disease had worsened significantly and that, unfortunately, it was rapidly declining. On the night of September 5, Sammi died, leaving a massive void in the band that has yet to be filled. RIP, Sammi! A wonderful person and sparkling drummer has left us.
"Tribus" was officially released on November 15, 2018, in connection with the release gig at Belleville in Oslo. Once again, the reviews were fantastic, both in Norway and abroad. In the wake of "Tribus," there was an extensive concert activity in 2019, and the highlights worth mentioning are the Night of the Prog Festival in Loreley, Germany, in July and the Summers End Festival in Wales in October. The Close To The Rain Festival in Bergen in June and Prog At Sea should also be mentioned at the end of August.
Work started on new songs for the fourth album at the beginning of 2020, but the Corona outbreak in March 2020 placed the band on the sidelines for a while. Playing at the Klokkarstua Festival in Hurum in 2021 and 2022 was pretty much the only activity after the Corona. In August 2022, work on album number 4 started again.
In October 2022, the band played two warm-up concerts for the English prog band Arena: at Cosmopolite in Oslo on Saturday, October 15, and at Musikens Hus in Gothenburg on Sunday, October 16.
2023 offered several ups and downs. The Windmill played at the Midsummer Festival in Valkenburg, the Netherlands, and Prog en Beauce in Pierres, France. Work on album No. 4 continues.
In October, drummer Kristoffer Utby, who had been with the band since 2018, retired to spend more time on his project, Infringement. The new drummer from January 2024 is Nils Harsem from Slemmestad. He debuted live with the band at a memorial concert for sound engineer Morten Skancke on January 15, 2024.
The fourth album, Mindscapes, was finally finalized and ready for release on July 1, 2024, for CDs and digital formats. The vinyl versions are scheduled for August 1, 2024.
The Windmill is also invited to play on the last day of the last Night of the Prog Festival in Loreley, July 21. This is a great honor. At this event, the young guitarist Emil Olsen will substitute Stig André Clason, who, unfortunately, is unable to participate.
Members:
| Arnfinn Isaksen | Bass guitar | |
| Stig Andrè Clason | Lead guitar | |
| Erik Borgen | Guitars, Lead vocals | |
| Jean Robert Viita | Keyboards, Backing vocals | |
| Morten L. Clason | Flutes, Saxophone, Backing vocals | |
| Nils Harsem | Drums |
Discography:
| Mindscapes | Album | 2024 |  Buy physical editions |
 Buy digital download |
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| Tribus | Album | 2018 | ||||||
| The Continuation | Album | 2013 | ||||||
| To Be Continued... | Album | 2010 |
Information:
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Octohawk - 'Determinist' - Out now!
Norway's progressive sludge masters Octohawk are about to release the sequel to their highly acclaimed debut album Animist.
The expected release, Determinist, will hit fans of The Ocean, Mastodon, and Igorr right in the face. Expanded diversity, heavier, and more of the good stuff – Just the right kind of heavy!
The new album takes the listener out of the prehistoric world from Animist and into the current and future era of determinism:
Humanity has left the world of mysteries, wonders, and chance. In a reality where all is calculated, analyzed, and predetermined, humans thrive on scientific progress, but at what cost? If everything is certain, humans have deprived themselves of the illusion of free will and the wonders of life.
Octohawk's sophomore album, Determinist, is a synopsis of the deterministic era, from the humble experimental beginnings to the complete coalescence with ever-flowing information. Each of the seven tracks represents the significant stages in this endeavor, from man on the ground to being a part of the eternal stream.
Availability
Available on Digipak CD, Gatefold LP (Limited Edition first press), and digital streaming and download.
Buy physical items at our webshop or digital download at Bandcamp.
Catakomb - 'The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse'
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Catakomb, a thrilling newcomer to the Norwegian heavy rock scene, hails from Larvik in Vestfold, and their intense dedication to the genre is palpable. Their electrifying live shows, which have enthralled audiences worldwide, continue to garner enthusiastic acclaim. Drawing from a unique blend of influences, including the melodic sensibilities of Thin Lizzy, the dark energy of mid-era Black Sabbath, and the grunge-infused sound of Alice in Chains, Catacomb’s signature sound is a captivating fusion. Elevated by the blues-infused heavy rock vocals reminiscent of David Coverdale, their music is a journey yet to be explored.
The band is brimming with anticipation and excitement as they join forces with Crime Records for the release of their debut EP, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. This ambitious project is a musical interpretation of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse from the Book of Revelation in the New Testament of the Bible, a work of apocalypse literature attributed to John of Patmos. Each horseman has a dedicated song, Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death. Each track is a sonic journey, promising to deliver powerful riffs, thunderous drums, robust bass lines, and guest solos that will ignite the senses. The EP is set to be unleashed on June 14th, 2024, and the band can't wait to share this musical journey with you.
Catakomb is more than just another heavy rock band; they are driven and poised to leave an indelible mark on heavy rock enthusiasts. This is only the initial stage of their journey, and they eagerly invite you to stay tuned for what lies ahead.
Tracklist:
| Track: | Duration: | |||
| 1. | Pestilence | 4:59 | ||
| 2. | War | 5:13 | ||
| 3. | Famine | 7:37 | ||
| 4. | Death | 3:40 | ||
Line up:
| Nick | rhythm & lead guitar, lead & backing vocals | |
| Ani | 4 & 12 string bass guitar | |
| Matt Hagan | drums, percussion, spoken words & backing vocals |
Information:
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Front cover: Death on a Pale Horse, c. 1800, William Blake.
Catakomb
Catakomb, a thrilling newcomer to the Norwegian heavy rock scene, hails from Larvik in Vestfold, and their intense dedication to the genre is palpable. Their electrifying live shows, which have enthralled audiences worldwide, continue to garner enthusiastic acclaim. Drawing from a unique blend of influences, including the melodic sensibilities of Thin Lizzy, the dark energy of mid-era Black Sabbath, and the grunge-infused sound of Alice in Chains, Catacomb’s signature sound is a captivating fusion. Elevated by the blues-infused heavy rock vocals reminiscent of David Coverdale, their music is a journey yet to be explored.
Catakomb is more than just another heavy rock band; they are driven and poised to leave an indelible mark on heavy rock enthusiasts. This is only the initial stage of their journey, and they eagerly invite you to stay tuned for what lies ahead.
Discography:
| The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse | Album | 2024 | Buy physical editions |
Buy digital download |
Information:
Interview requests, promo pictures, etc.: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
New album from Octohawk!
Norway's progressive sludge masters Octohawk are about to release the sequel to their highly acclaimed debut album Animist.
The expected release, Determinist, will hit fans of The Ocean, Mastodon, and Igorr right in the face. Expanded diversity, heavier, and more of the good stuff – Just the right kind of heavy!
The new album takes the listener out of the prehistoric world from Animist and into the current and future era of determinism:
Humanity has left the world of mysteries, wonders, and chance. In a reality where all is calculated, analyzed, and predetermined, humans thrive on scientific progress, but at what cost? If everything is certain, humans have deprived themselves of the illusion of free will and the wonders of life.
Octohawk's sophomore album, Determinist, is a synopsis of the deterministic era, from the humble experimental beginnings to the complete coalescence with ever-flowing information. Each of the seven tracks represents the significant stages in this endeavor, from man on the ground to being a part of the eternal stream.
Availability
Available on Digipak CD, Gatefold LP (Limited Edition first press), and digital streaming and download.
Release date: June 7th, 2024
Preorder date: April 12th, 2024
Preorder physical items at our webshop or at Bandcamp for digital download.
Octohawk - 'Determinist'
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|
Determinist is Norway's progressive sludge masters Octohawk's sequel to their highly acclaimed debut album Animist. The album will hit fans of The Ocean, Mastodon, and Igorr right in the face.
With expanded diversity, heavier and more of the good stuff – Just the right kind of heavy!
The new album takes the listener out of the prehistoric world from Animist and into the current and future era of determinism: Humanity has left the world of mysteries, wonders, and chance. In a reality where all is calculated, analyzed, and predetermined, humans thrive on scientific progress, but at what cost? If everything is certain, humans have deprived themselves of the illusion of free will and the wonders of life.
Octohawk's sophomore album, Determinist, is a synopsis of the deterministic era, from the humble experimental beginnings to the complete coalescence with ever-flowing information. Each of the seven tracks represents the significant stages in this endeavor, from man on the ground to being a part of the eternal stream.
Tracklist:
| Track: | Duration: | |||
| 1. | Arcane Dawn | 7:43 | ||
| 2. | Quantum Age | 6:03 | ||
| 3. | Decode | 8:04 | ||
| 4. | Momentum | 6:21 | ||
| 5. | Earthrise | 1:42 | ||
| 6. | Beyond Tomorrow | 5:23 | ||
| 7. | Gateways | 5:03 | ||
Line up:
| David Jøndahl Hjellum | Drums | |
| Christian Schei | Guitar | |
| Stian Svorkmo | Vocal and Guitar | |
| Steffen Overaa | Synth and Vocal | |
| Espen Geitsund | Bass |
Information:
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Profane Burial - 'My Plateau'
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Profane Burial presents an atmospheric, dismal, and grim journey through unsanctified cinematic black metal, a sub-genre of black metal often featuring atmospheric and symphonic elements, drawing inspiration from film scores and other forms of orchestral music.
My Plateau is very intense and has a more extreme approach than the debut. It leans even further towards Black Metal, not only due to the high-pitched vocals but also because of the significant use of traditional tremolo guitars. The songs are quite intricate and progressive in both tempo and time signatures.
Tracklist:
| Track: | Duration: | |||
| 1. | My Plateau | 5:46 | ||
| 2. | Moribund | 6:01 | ||
| 3. | Fragments of Dirge | 5:15 | ||
| 4. | Righteous Indoctrination | 6:59 | ||
| 5. | Disambiguate Eradication | 4:50 | ||
| 6. | Horror Code | 6:47 | ||
Line up:
| Kjetil Ytterhus | Vocal & keys | |
| André Aaslie | Guitar, bass & keys | |
| Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow | Drums |
Information:
Interview-requests, promo-pictures, etc.: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Profane Burial
Profane Burial presents an atmospheric, dismal, and grim journey through unsanctified cinematic black metal, a sub-genre of black metal often featuring atmospheric and symphonic elements, drawing inspiration from film scores and other forms of orchestral music.
Biography
In the year 2013, Kjetil Ytterhus (known for his work with Haimad and Khora, among others) and André Aaslie (associated with Funeral, Images At Twilight, Omnia Moritur, Abyssic, and other projects) co-founded Profane Burial. Approximately a year after its inception, the duo had composed sufficient material for a debut album. Subsequently, they embarked on a search for additional musicians to expand their ensemble for live performances. This endeavor, however, was fraught with challenges. It was not until 2016 that they successfully assembled the ideal lineup, marking the commencement of a noteworthy collaboration. This new formation included the skilled guitarist Jostein Thomassen (formerly of Source Of Tide and Fracture), the rising drummer Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow (previously with Sphere, Viper Solfa, and Trollfest), and the seasoned vocalist Ronny Thorsen, celebrated for his contributions to Trail Of Tears and Blood Red Throne, among others.
Profane Burial performed their inaugural concert in December 2016. In spring 2017, the band entered the esteemed Strand Studio to record and mix their album. "The Rosewater Park Legend" was officially released in March 2018, followed by a series of live performances. Ytterhus and Aaslie began composing material for their subsequent album during this period.
In 2019, Jostein Thomassen and Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow received invitations to join the band Borknagar. Owing to the intensive touring schedule with Borknagar, Thomassen elected to prioritize his commitments with them, resulting in his departure from Profane Burial. Fortunately, Rønnow chose to remain with the group. Concurrently, Ronny Thorsen was engaged in revitalizing his former band, Trail Of Tears, and decided to dedicate his efforts fully to this reunion.
Faced with the departure of both their guitarist and vocalist, Ytterhus and Aaslie resolved to continue as a trio. In this new configuration, Aaslie assumed the role of guitarist, while Ytterhus took on the vocal responsibilities.
Discography:
| My Plateau | Album | 2024 | Buy physical editions |
Buy digital download |
Information:
Interview requests, promo pictures, etc.: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.