Recommendation: Spurv - Myra

Band: Spurv
Album: Myra
Label: Self Released
Year: 2018








Tracklist
01. Et Løfte I Fall
02. Og Ny Skog Bæres Frem
03. Fra Dypet Under Stenen
04. Hviler Bekkenes Sang
05. Et Blekt Lys Lyder
06. Fra Myrtempelet
07. Den Gamles Stemme Brister
08. Allting Får Sin Ende, Også Natten
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There is only one thing that came in my mind when I heard "Myra" for the first time: "Faith in post-rock restored!"

It's one of those albums that you hear and you think that there is still life in post-rock music, there are still bands with originality and make you continue the search of great bands...

Spurv saw the light of day in the beginning of 2011 through a shared will to explore new musical terrains by the three friends Gustav Jørgen Pedersen (guitar, main composer), Herman Otterlei (guitar) and Hans-Jakob Jeremiassen (bass). Initially intended to be a platform for creating instrumental music in addition to other band projects, Spurv soon became the main focus of the three, who after a few months released the first demo Med enormt håp, complete with handmade cardboard covers. 

Since their first live appearance at Rakels grotte (18.11.11), Spurv has earned their reputation for being an intense and emotional live act. Being particularly fond of underground scenes, the band performed a series of concerts in living rooms, art galleries and in Torpedo bookshop - including a legendary gig in their own flat, in which an audience of around 100 people packed inside the tight space. 

In 2012, the band recorded and released their four-track EP "Blader som faller til jorden og blir til nye trær", which was distributed by Diger, and later released on 12” vinyl by Doognad Records. Except from the drums, which were recorded with the aid of Sjur Lyseid, the EP was recorded in Hocus Focus studio by the band and Erik Ringdal. Mix and master by Lyseid. 

The EP was very well received, and got an astounding 96/100 on postrockstar.com: “The level of craftsmanship in Spurv‘s music is simply off the charts and the way the band is able to draw the listener in with their deep thought provoking and emotional music is something that we rarely see from young bands, let alone on debut releases. I have big expectations for these Norway Post-rockers in the future. This is a must listen to EP of 2012.”

Over the years, the band has had a changing line-up, but in 2013 Simon Ljung (drums) joined as a the fourth cornerstone of the band, contributing with an aggressive, yet detailed style of playing. After appearances at the Fjellpark Festival and the Øya Festival’s club program (John Dee), in addition to venues in Oslo, Trondheim and Porsgrunn, the band started working on their first full-length album, Skarntyde. 

This time, drums were recorded by Rolf-Arne Strandjord, while the rest of the recording process was done by the band themselves in their rehearsal space. The album was mixed by Strandjord, mastered by Magnus Lindberg (Cult of Luna) and released by No Forevers records, 11.05.15. Artwork by Linda K. Røed. 

After a sold out release concert at Internasjonalen in Oslo, the album brought the band to Vivid: A post rock festival, live appearance on national radio (P3 Ruben), shows all over Norway and Sweden, and in 2016, to Dark Bombastic Evening in Transylvania, Romania. The show at DBE was cancelled midway due to heavy rain and hale, but the band later went on stage and performed a final song for the enthusiastic crowd. 

Since 2016, the line-up of the band also includes Eirik Ørevik Aadland (guitar) and Simen Eifring (trombone), adding new energy and enthusiasm to the band. In 2017, while writing and recording their second album, Myra, the band performed at the renowned Dunk! Festival in Belgium and returned once again to Dark Bombastic Evening in Romania in order to perform a full set. 

In the first months of 2017, Spurv entered Malabar studio in Oslo and recorded their entire second full length album, Myra, there. The album was engineered by Martin Bowitz in collaboration with Emil Nikolaisen, mixed by Bowitz and Jørgen Smådal Larsen, and mastered by Magnus Lindberg. It includes musical contributions by Ole-Henrik Moe (picoletto, violin, viola, cello), Kari Rønnekleiv (violin), Cathy Donnelly (cello), Tore Ylvisaker (synth) and Ole Aleksander Halstensgård (fx and synth). The album cover is adorned by the paintings ”Monarch” and ”Sighting” by Christer Karlstad. Graphic design by Gaute Terjesson​.

In the beginning of 2018, the band signed with Fysisk Format who released Myra on 12” vinyl and CD 01.06.18.

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Compilation: Various Artists - #FuerzaMéxico

Band: Various Artists
Album: #FuerzaMéxico
Label: Run Golden Boys
Year: 2017








Tracklist
01. 2nd Cockpit - 8
02. Anathéme - Baisers De Glasgow
03. Argovia - Waves
04. Arms And Sleepers - Time Will Tell
05. Baikonur - Auguri
06. Cegvera - Refractive Errors
07. Codices - Illuminate
08. Endless - Solve Et Coagula
09. Ikiatari - Gatatttack!
10. Jean Loup - Gran Keet
11. Joliette - Henry Coyote
12. Kokomo - Monochrome Noise Love
13. Lisboa Bear - Jupiter
14. Lost In Kiev - Insomnia
15. Meniscus - Overhag
16. Mi Triste Bisonte - Overly
17. Nordic Giants - Together
18. Pray for Sound - Monophonic
19. Ranges - The Ascensionist
20. Run Golden Boys - Aurum
21. Set And Setting - Ephemerality
22. Spurv - Mellom Broen Og Elven
23. Sunset Images - Roads
24. Takami Nakamoto - La Ciudad
25. The Chapel Of Exquises Ardent Pears - L'Eloge De La Folie 04:53
26. This Patch Of Sky - And So They Watched As The Years Passed Us By
27. Tourettes - Neblina
28. Vinnum Sabbathi - Gravity Works
29. Viva Belgrado - Por La Mañana, Temprano
30. Vyctoria - Ahora Veo Más Claro
31. We Lost The Sea - A Gallant Gentleman
32. Yo Triceratop - El Capitán
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Greetings,

A couple of days ago, Mexico City was struck by an earthquake which destroyed a lot of houses and, sadly, ended several lives.

We want to ask for your help now.

We are putting with a lot of song of good friends, and the proceeds will be used to buy food and basic supplies for the people who lost everything.

How can you help? 

Acquiring this playlist set in "name your price".

Furthermore, the art of this playlist will be released as a print, and the proceeds will be used to buy more food and basic supplies. The art was made by Johna R.

IG: www.instagram.com/johna_r/

Thanks for your time and support. #FuerzaMéxico - Run Golden Boys

Video: Lerpous - From The Flame

Streaming: Jagged Vision - Death Is This World

Band: Jagged Vision
Album: Death Is This World
Label: Fysisk Format
Year: 2017








Tracklist
01. Betrayer
02. Euthanasia
03. Death Is This World
04. I Am Death
05. Feeble Souls
06. Emperor Of...
07. Seven Seals
08. Serpents
09. Forlorn
10. Palehorse
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Since the very beginning Jagged Vision has been a force to be reckoned with in the Norwegian underground scene. Through vigorous touring and sharing stages with bands like Kylesa, Black Tusk, Orange Goblin, High on Fire, Kvelertak and many more, Jagged Vision has built a reputation of being an intense live experience.

The band released their debut through Kylesa-run Retro Futurist Records to international acclaim in 2014 following a 30 date tour throughout Europe with Kylesa. The Sludgelord said “Jagged Vision up the ante with more bone-crunching riffs played at full force that will leave you breathless through out.”.

“Death Is This World” sees Jagged Vision evolving their roots in hardcore and stoner metal into an intense machinery of heavy riffing. The album consists of 10 songs filled with blistering Hardcore Metal, sure to to wake even the most lethargic listener. Working with producer Phillip Cope (who’s first amendment was that they recorded everything in the highest bpm they could handle) takes Jagged Vision into a faster and more brutal landscape.

There is no compromise, no genre limitations and no rules. “Death Is This World” is a product of raw heavy emotion.

Unlike their debut album, “Harvest Earth” (2014), where vocalist Ole Urke Wik wrote all the tracks, “Death Is This World” is more of a collaborative effort in terms of songwriting. Following the departure of guitarist Daniel Vier and bassist Kato Austrått, Jagged recruited fresh blood to join the ranks of metal excellence – enter guitar prodigy Tommy Jacobsen and axe-man Morten Transeth, whom both help fan the flames of rage necessary for pleasing the metal hordes of the world.

Jagged Vision’s misanthropic agenda is deep set in the failing of man’s interpersonal relations. As the very earth that has been tread upon for thousands of years starts to crumble beneath the feet of its self-appointed master. “Every man for himself” seems to have become the universal law. As technology and culture evolves ever faster, man seems to regress to become more primitive and self-absorbed. Fueled by this, Jagged Vision come off as a rude awakening. spewing venom and pulling off the meanest riffs imaginable.

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EP: Caves Of Steel - Summer Hit & Run​/​Keep Painting

Band: Caves Of Steel
Album: Summer Hit & Run​/​Keep Painting EP
Label: Self Released
Year: 2016







Tracklist
01. Summer Hit & Run
02. Keep Painting
Download

Caves Of Steel is a post-rock band from Oslo, Norway.

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Video: Spurv - Mellom Broen Og Elven

Streaming: Spurv - Skarntyde

Band: Spurv
Album: Skarntyde
Label: No Forevers Records
Year: 2015








Tracklist
01. Passacaglia (Fugler Med Ord I Nebbet)
02. Mellom Broen Og Elven
03. Lyden Av Løv Som Biter Seg Fast Til Sin Egen Kropp
04. Hvorfor Er Det Noe Og Ikke Ingenting
Streaming

Spurv is an instrumental rock band from Oslo, Norway.

After their amazing debut EP, Spurv are back with another masterpiece! "Skarntyde" is their second release, mastered by Magnus Lindberg, which proves that they're worthy to be amongst the top post-rock bands and that "Blader Som Faller Til Jorden Og Blir Til Nye Trær" wasn't just a firework! Spurv are here to stay, haunt us with their melodies and make us eager for bigger things to come!

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The Inquisition: 052.SVK

1. How did you came up with the name of the band?

Claus: I think it was Håkon that had the idea originally, it's the title of a childrens book by the author Roald Dahl. In English it's called "The BFG" - The Big Friendly Giant", SVK - Store Vennlige Kjempe in Norwegian. We all thought the mood of the book was a nice fit with our brand of instrumental music. 

Håkon: I think it was Kristian. 

Kristian: Yeah, I think I actually called Håkon a big friendly giant for some reason, and it just went on from there. 

2. Do you have a standard procedure of creating a song? Do you just jam around or is there a main riff and the track is build up on it? 

Claus: Sometimes one of us will have an idea; a riff, melodic figure or something, and we build on it from there by jamming. But mostly we just start jamming and playing, and see what comes up. Sometimes we'll do some improvisational exercises, just to take us in a different direction. It's very easy to fall into doing the same thing over and over when you're so dependent on improvisation in creative process, and limiting your options within that context can often give a spur of creativity and take you places musically that you otherwise wouldn't have gone. 

3. What are your influences and what kind of music do you hear when you are at home? 

Claus: I think all of us have a musical taste that is first and foremost characterized by it's variety, not by any predominant genre. That said, I've always had a fondness of music with guitars (surprise-surprise, a guitarist that likes guitars…), but not the flashy Steve Vai-kinda guitarplaying. I'm more into stuff like Built To Spill, Neil Young, Motorpsycho and Wilco. Norwegian guitarist Eivind Aarseth has been a pretty heavy influence as well. But I listen to everything from jazz to classical to metal to weird electronic. 

Kristian: As Claus points out we all basically share the fondness of music not really caring about genres. It really changes from week to week, where I can go from metal, rock, ambient and electronica to hiphop, funk and jazz. So pretty much everything as long as it’s good. My main big influences might be stuff like Tool, Mogwai, Motorpsycho, Nils Petter Molvær, Sigur Rós, The Roots, and recently Nils Frahm and Ólafur Arnalds. 

Håkon: Yeah, it’s difficult to categorize personal taste like that. But in terms of what influences might shine through in SVK, I think of ambient/jammy/rocky(?) stuff like Mogwai, Motorpsycho, and maybe Do Make Say Think and Eluvium? Our tastes are pretty diverse, but I think the music we make together is a pretty good indicator as to where our interests converge. 

4. Which is the one album you can't live without? 

Claus: That's an impossible question to answer. I think I'd get sick of any album if I was doomed to listen to just the one. But there are a few albums that keep coming up, again and again. Jeff Buckley - Grace, Mogwai - Young Team and Motorpsycho - Timothys Monster, to name a few. 

Kristian: That’s hard. It would have to be either Tool - Lateralus, Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts of the Great Highway or The Avalanches - Since I Left You. 

Håkon: Didn’t It Rain by Song:Ohia, maybe? Jason Molina is probably the one musical influence I wouldn’t live without. 

5. What's the first record you've ever bought? 

Claus: Haha, Iron Maiden - Powerslave. On tape! Bought it a couple of years after it was released, think I got it in -88. 

Kristian: Supergrass - In It for the Money, which I still kinda like. 

6. Name a band that you would like to share the stage or tour with? 

Claus: Last year we did split gigs with Spurv, Caves of Steel and 1099. All three are great bands and great guys, so I wouldn't mind touring with any of them. Another band I've been into lately is Finnish slugde-doom-drone-guys Mr. Peter Hayden. That would be an awesome band to tour with. 

Kristian: My friend Lars has a band called Blåtime. Other than that maybe Cult of Luna. That would be crazy fun. 

7. Did the internet and specially the blogs helped to spread your music around the world? Name a place (country) that you were surprised to know your music has reached to? 

Claus: Certainly. But I don't feel we've really gotten any big attention out there. We've gotten a few reviews, and some mentions here and there. A few podcasts have had us on some fairly heavy rotation, so yeah, it all helps. There are just so many bands out there, it's kinda hard to get heard. But you just gotta stay at it. 

8. Do you support the idea of bandcamp where fans can decide the price or services like Spotify?

Claus: I don't see the problem in supporting both, at least streaming as a model for distribution. However, I don't think all the services out there now contribute to a fair cash-flow for the artist, or to what's better for music in the long run. 

Håkon: I agree. As an end user I love the likes of Spotify, but as an artist I believe their payment model could be more fair, and do more to promote diversity and creative new voices. 

Kristian: Yeah. Just as a footnote I think streaming is too cheap as it is. 99NOK(13-ish american dollars) a month is not very much for unlimited music, when one single CD often costs more than that. 

9. Where do you see yourselves in 5 years? 

Claus: Somewhat bigger fan base, a couple of more releases under the belt, probably done a couple of European tours. Hopefully, we'll have evolved quite a bit musically as well. 

10. Is the artwork of an album important nowadays in the digital era? 

Claus: Yes. 

Kristian: What he said. 

11. What is you favorite album cover? 

Claus: Oooo, that's a tough one. Off the top of my head; Tao of the Dead by …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead. They have GREAT artwork.

Kristian: Converge - Axe To Fall has some great artwork. Their vocalist Jacob Bannon makes some amazing stuff.

Håkon: Spirit Animal by Zombi has a pretty great cover.

12. It seems that a lot of people are turning on vinyl again. Why do you think that is and which is your preferable media format? 

Claus: I think it's human nature, to want to collect and own the things you like and are into in a tangible fashion. As long as music continues to be a very large part of many peoples identity, I think we'll see some sort of artifact-collection connected to it. An iTunes library or a Spotify playlist just doesn't have the same effect as walking into someones home and seeing their record collection. It's much the same with books, I think. Even if we have Kindle and iPads and whatnot, people are still buying books and putting them in shelves (probably even reading them as well). As for what format I prefer; for ease of listening it's streaming, hands down. No contest. For enjoying the full experience (music, artwork, liner notes, lyrics) vinyl is unparallelled. 

Kristian: It might also have something to do with people realizing that with lossless streaming you kind of get the same as you would when buying CDs, at least musically. Vinyl is quite different, so the crowd that likes to buy something tangible and love artwork might turn to vinyl instead. I mostly use lossless streaming, but when I really feel like owning an album I buy the vinyl. I used to buy a lot of CDs but that kind of stopped a couple of years ago. 

13. What's the most vivid story or moment as a band? 

Claus: For me, the best moments as a band is during improvisation/jamming, when everything just fits, and all of a sudden you become aware of the magic that's happening. That's such an elevating feeling, and deeply terrifying as well. It's kinda like being on the edge of a really tall cliff, it's exhilarating, but your really scared of fucking it up too… One specific great moment was after a show last year. This guy came up to me as we where getting of stage, with tears in his eyes, shook my hand, hugged me, and thanked me for a deeply emotional and profound experience. To be able to stir that kind of emotion in people is a really powerful and humbling thing. 

Håkon: Cramming all our gear in the car, putting Kristian to sleep in the backseat and then driving for about 13 hours straight through the harsh Norwegian winter to go record our album in Copenhagen is a memory that’ll stay with us, I’m sure.

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Streaming: SVK - Avernus

Band: SVK
Album: Avernus
Label: Doognad Records, Pug Nose Records
Year: 2014







Tracklist
01. Parched Rivers, Branches Bare
02. Abandoned Houses
03. An Altered Perspective
04. Tarpeian Rock
05. Road To Avernus
06. Into The Void
Streaming

SVK was formed in 2010 by Music Technology-students at The Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Today, the band consists of: Amund Ulvestad (synths/cello), Håkon Nybø (bass), Kristian Mäkinen (drums) and Claus Sohn Andersen (guitar).

The wide range of influences (post-rock, progressive rock, jazz and experimental electronic music) is plainly evident in their recordings. Still, there is a sort of coherent method to the madness, which makes their music distinctly “SVK” however we approach the making of it.

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Buy Bandcamp | Doognad Records | Tiger

Streaming: Caves Of Steel - Revisioned

Band: Caves Of Steel
Album: Revisioned
Label: Self Released
Year: 2015








Tracklist
01. Parallax
02. Dunning-Kruger
03. Silver Bullet
04. Heart Leaping Forward
05. Transverse
06. Codeine
07. The Kentucky Derby
08. What Happens to You Here Is Forever
Streaming

Caves Of Steel is a post-rock band from Oslo, Norway, exploring the range of instrumental of rock together since 2007. They’ve shared the stage with bands like Rumble in Rhodos, Scott Kelly (from Neurosis), Spurv, SVK and Fleur de Lis, and done their own headlining tour through China.

They amazed us with their previous album "Troposphere​/​Magnetosphere" and they took up where they left off, with "Revisioned". It’s their third release, engineered and mixed by Endre Njøs from Kollwitz.

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Video: Kollwitz - Horizon