Karisma Records announce that they have inked a deal with AIRBAG guitarist BJØRN RIIS for the release of his debut solo album. The album, which will be titled “Lullabies in a Car Crash”, will feature AIRBAG’s Henrik Fossum on drums, whilst the band’s vocalist Asle Tostrup will provide programming. Long-time Airbag collaborator, Vegard Sleipnes, is set to co-produce the album together with RIIS. “Lullabies in a Car Crash” is expected to appear on Karisma Records in the Autumn of this year.
Commenting on his solo venture, BJØRN RIIS had this to say: “I’m excited, it has been an interesting journey doing everything by myself. This is not a huge departure from the AIRBAG sound or format, but it is a chance for me to explore different directions and musical ground that might not have fit the band. It’s a personal album and I think some of the stuff is my best work to date.”
DARK ESSENCE RECORDS plans to make their annual Inferno Festival event a little different this year when they join forces with sister label KARISMA RECORDS to showcase two of their bands each at Blå on Wednesday 16th April. “We are always conscious of the fact that while many of Dark Essence’s artists such as TAAKE tour frequently, and fans in Europe have a good chance of seeing them live, the Karisma artists tend to tour much less, so we thought that this year we would open up the event to give their fans a chance to see some of them, and introduce them to Dark Essence’s fans at the same time”, commented the label’s Martin Kvam.
SLEGEST – Photo by Ørjan Talle and Håvard Nesbø
Representing Dark Essence will be two bands whose recent releases have been getting rave reviews from press and fans alike. First up will be SLEGEST, the new project from former VREID guitarist Ese, who has skilfully blended classic heavy rock and old-school black metal to produce a sound that is both dark and sinister, and with an unmistakably down and dirty catchy groove that weaves its way through the music. Originally started as a one-man project, once the debut full-length album “Løyndom” was released at the end of 2013, it quickly became clear that the demand from fans to see SLEGEST perform live was such that Ese was persuaded to form a fully functioning band. More information about SLEGEST can be found at https://www.facebook.com/slegest
The official video for the track “Ho Som Haustar Aleine” from SLEGEST’s “Løyndom” can be seen below:
ALFAHANNE
Joining them will be Sweden’s ALFAHANNE, whose lineup includes members of bands such as VINTERLAND and early MAZE OF TORMENT, and who have come together to play what they themselves have called ”Alfapocalyptic Rock”, a fascinating and hard-hitting mix of Black Metal, Classic Rock and Punk with some Goth influences . Their high-energy live performances have garnered them much praise. Making a guest appearance on stage with ALFAHANNE, will be HELHEIM‘s V’gandr who performed vocals on one of the tracks from the band’s new album “Alfapokalyps” . It is a tribute to ALFAHANNE that they were able to attract not only V’gandr to make a guest appearance on the album, but also Dark Essence label-mates Hoest from TAAKE and Niklas Kvarforth from SHINING. More information about ALFAHANNE can be found at https://www.facebook.com/alfahanneofficial
The track “Såld På Mörkret” from ALFAHANNE’s album ”Alfapocalyptic Rock” and which features TAAKE’s Hoest on guest vocals can be heard here:
AIRBAG
Making an appearance for Karisma will be two bands, representing the new and the established. Lovers of Prog Rock cannot fail to recognise the name of AIRBAG, a band known the world-over for an exquisite musical craftsmanship that enables its musicians to create a sonic experience ranging from massive walls of sound, to ambient textures and soulful soundscapes, both in the studio and on stage. The release of AIRBAG’s third full-length album “The Greatest Show on Earth” at the end of last year confirmed the band’s status in the world of prog, earning them many accolades. Inferno will be one of the very few chancesthat to catch this incredible band live this year so it is an opportunity that should not be missed. One for fans of ANATHEMA. More information about AIRBAG can be found at http://www.airbagsound.com/
The title track from AIRBAG’s album “The Greatest Show on Earth” can be heard here:
SEVEN IMPALE
The second of the Karisma bands is one of their latest signings, SEVEN IMPALE. The release of the digital EP “Beginning/Relieve” last year gave an indication of the multi-faceted nature of these young musicians. With its member drawn from a range of disciplines including classical orchestra, big band, metal, jazz, rock and electronic music, their sound ranges from progressive and jazzy to the softer and more melodic to the harder and edgier. They bring a freshness and enthusiasm to their live performances, and it is anticipated that their debut full-length album later this year will more than meet expectations, setting them apart from many other new arrivals on the scene. If you are a fan of Norway’s SHINING, SEVEN IMPALE is definitely a band you will want to check out. More information about SEVEN IMPALE can be found at https://www.facebook.com/sevenimpale
The title track from SEVEN IMPALE’s “Beginning/Relieve” EP can be heard below:
Scheduled performances for the Dark Essence Records / Karisma Records artists at Inferno Festival, which will take place at Blå, Brennereiven 9C, Oslo, Norway, on Wednesday 16th April as follows:
According to Patricia Thomas Management, “The Greatest Show on Earth” the title track from the new album from Prog Rockers AIRBAG has been previewed today by Karisma Records. Set for release on the 4th of November, “The Greatest Show on Earth” will be available as a standard jewel case CD and a limited edition vinyl replica style CD, as well as a double vinyl gatefold in both black and limited edition white version. The album will also be available digitally. The track can be heard below:
A band known for its musical craftsmanship, AIRBAG’s third full-length album has taken 18 months of painstaking work to ensure that the quality of the work surpasses what went before. Whilst “The Greatest Show on Earth” shows an edgier side to the band with the inclusion of some heavier passages, the trademark AIRBAG sound is still very much intact. With “The Greatest Show On Earth” Bjørn Riis (guitars, keyboards, backing vocals, bass, co-producer), Asle Tostrup (vocals, keyboards, programming, producer, graphic design), Henrik Fossum (drums), Jørgen Hagen (programming, keyboards) and Anders Hovdan (bass), create a sonic experience that ranges from massive walls of sound, to ambient textures and soulful soundscapes in order to explore the growing sense of alienation and distrust that the individual feels when confronted by society and authority, whilst at the same time being manipulated and misled into believing that each person is in control of their self-absorbed lives.
Full track listing for “The Greatest Show On Earth”, which comes in at around 50 minutes and was engineered and co-produced by Vegard Sleipnes, is as follows and can be pre-ordered from http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/artist/airbag :
1. Surveillance (part 1)
2. Redemption
3. Silence Grows
4. Call Me Back
5. The Greatest Show on Earth
6. Surveillance (part 2-3)
AIRBAG’s next live appearance will be at the release show for “The Greatest Show On Earth” at the John Dee in Oslo, Norway on the 30th November. More information about AIRBAG can be found on the band’s website http://www.airbagsound.com
A video teaser for “The Greatest Show On Earth” can be seen on the band’s YouTube channel below:
Three tracks from AIRBAG, including “The Greatest Show On Earth” can can be heard here:
A video of AIRBAG playing “All Rights Removed” live in Oslo when the band supported Marillion on the Scandinavian leg of their world tour last year can be seen below:
According to Patricia Thomas Management, Karisma Records have revealed more details of the upcoming album from Norwegian Prog Rockers AIRBAG. Titled “The Greatest Show on Earth”, the six-track album comes in at just over 50 minutes and will be available as a standard jewel case CD and a limited edition vinyl replica style CD, as well as a double vinyl gatefold in both black and limited edition white version. The album will also be available digitally. Full track listing for “The Greatest Show on Earth” which will be released on the 4th of November, as follows:
1. Surveillance (part 1)
2. Redemption
3. Silence Grows
4. Call Me Back
5. The Greatest Show on Eart
6. Surveillance (part 2-3)
“The Greatest Show on Earth” sees AIRBAG continue to pull the listener into their world and bring out in them a range of emotions by creating cinematic pictures with their use of atmospheric sounds. AIRBAG’s lyrics explore the growing sense of alienation and distrust that the individual feels when confronted by society and authority, whilst at the same time being manipulated and misled into believing that everyone is in control of their self-absorbed lives. This is an exploration that is accompanied by a sonic experience that ranges from massive walls of sound, to ambient textures and soulful soundscapes. .
A follow up to 2009’s ‘Identity’ and 2011’s ‘All Rights Removed’, both also released on Karisma Records, it has taken 18 months of painstaking work on the part of Bjørn Riis (guitars, keyboards, backing vocals, bass, co-producer), Asle Tostrup (vocals, keyboards, programming, producer, graphic design), Henrik Fossum (drums), Jørgen Hagen (programming, keyboards) and Anders Hovdan (bass), together with engineer and co-producer Vegard Sleipnes, to perfect the sound on the band’s third full-length album. There is a rougher edge to “The Greatest Show on Earth” and some heavier parts than their previous releases would suggest, but the classic AIRBAG sound is still present, and the quality and musical craftsmanship that marks the band’s work are very much in evidence, bringing this new release to a whole new level.
A video teaser for “The Greatest Show on Earth” can be seen on the band’s YouTube channel below:
Two tracks from AIRBAG’s first two releases can be heard here:
A video of AIRBAG playing “All Rights Removed” live in Oslo when the band supported Marillion on the Scandinavian leg of their world tour last year can be seen here:
Having recently signed a new deal with Karisma Records for two more albums, Norwegian Prog Rockers AIRBAG have released a sneak preview from their upcoming album. Although this is an early mix and not the finished product and will therefore only be streaming temporarily, the track, ‘Redemption’, is a clear indication that AIRBAG is moving in a slightly edgier direction, with harder hitting compositions and thought-provoking lyrics. ‘Redemption’ can be heard until the end of August, below:
‘Redemption’ will be the opening track from the band’s new album, “The Greatest Show on Earth”, which is set for release on the 25th of October this year. Since the release of 2009’s debut album “Identity”, AIRBAG has gained itself a substantial world-wide following. The band’s last album, “All Rights Removed”, which appeared in 2011, was hailed by critics and fans alike and was awarded no less than six “Album of the Year” titles. AIRBAG has also developed into a solid live act appearing at several major festivals and venues, including supporting MARILLION on their Scandinavian mini-tour and playing at the ‘Night of the Prog’ festival in Loreley, Germany.
AIRBAG’s lineup includes Asle Tostrup on lead vocals, Bjørn Riis on guitars and vocals, Jørgen Hagen on keyboards, Henrik Fossum on drums and Anders Hovdan on bass. More information about AIRBAG can be found on the band’s website at http://www.airbagsound.com
Three tracks from AIRBAG, including the preview track ‘Redemption’ can be heard below:
The official video of AIRBAG playing “Homesick (Part I)” live in Oslo can be seen below:
Having previously released AIRBAG’s first two full-length albums as well as a digital single, Karisma Records have inked a new deal with the Norwegian Prog rockers for a further two albums and are set to release the band’s third full-length album in the autumn of this year. AIRBAG are currently putting the finishing touches to the new album, and studio updates and photos can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Airbag/21137836128 whilst a short video teaser can be seen below:
With a line up that includes front man Asle Tostrup on vocals and live guitar, Bjørn Riis on guitars and backing vocals, Jørgen Hagen on keyboards, Henrik Fossum on drums and Anders Hovdan on bass, AIRBAG was formed in Oslo, Norway, in 2005. Taking elements from classical and progressive rock, chill and jazz, AIRBAG have created their own unique sound. AIRBAG’s first full-length album “Identity” appeared in 2009 and was hailed as one of the best progressive releases of that year, with the band’s sound being described by Classical Rock Magazine as “Prog at its most chilled, honeyed and soothing”. The 2011 release “All Rights Removed” went on to win even more plaudits, showing a slightly edgier side to the band’s music whilst still keeping their trademark moods and soundscapes.
Two tracks from AIRBAG’s first two releases can be heard below:
A video of AIRBAG playing “All Rights Removed” live in Oslo when the band supported Marillion on the Scandinavian leg of their world tour last year can be seen below:
