NEW BORN DAY

Lost Norwegian classic that time forgot from '73. Solid debut from a band that never really became known outside their native land although they did perform in Germany & Switzerland, this album in particular has over the years been unfairly compared to the likes of Uriah Heep and Yes but it really stands by itself. Harder rocking than the afore mentioned with powerful male/female vocal pairing and thoughtful lyrics despite the overall heaviness set them apart from UK contemporaries and if any comparisons could be drawn then the German band Octopus, who were yet to arrive on the scene would come the closest. Every track has it's own catchy groove here with vocal harmonies, keyboard orchestrations, guitar freakouts and some really heavy dominant Hammond organ.The sheer energy and dynamics of New Born Day cannot be over-stated with it's fluctuating arrangements which also have classical suggestions and jazz aspirations which would come into prominence as the band's career progressed. Not lacking prowess, the music veers into so many directions with more melodic sections featuring acoustic guitars, saxophone and flute which are particularily effective on tracks such as the prophetic Scientific Ways and up-tempo Still Alive giving the compositions even more colour. Other devices such as vocal incantations and emotive screams from vocalist Gudny Aspaas also come into play making this a total early seventies art/rock package which would give any contemporary band a run for their money. Although not a concept album per say all the tracks are loosely connected by cold war themes which are evident on tracks like Scientific Ways, The Man Who Started It All and Day After Tomorrow.

Anyone into everything from early Deep Purple to Yes ought to check out this precious blast from the past to see what was really happening musically in Scandinavia during the early seventies besides ABBA. While it may sound a bit dated, without question it personifies the true spirit of what was progrock back in it's glory era.