NATTFIOLEN

Surely their best. So, one can ask me, why four stars only? Maybe the reviewer is a 'cloth-eared nincompoop' ((c) M. Oldfield, 1990)? Maybe, maybe. But the reason is different. Apart from the seven tracks stuffing the album, there's an additional 14-minute epic suite known as 'Nattfiolen Demo', not included in the album, published separately and currently available from Bandcamp with the following note from the artists: 'A demo outtake from the recording sessions for the album "Nattfiolen". Although this is the title track, it will not be included on the album for different reasons. Instead, it's released here as a christmas gift for our fans around the world. Happy holidays!' Thanks guys. The holidays were really fine, and everyone has a right to follow any reasons ad libitum. But just listen to the music in the following sequence: Ouverture, 'Nattfiolen Demo', Stifinner, Solens Sirkulaere Sang etc, according to the further track list. Done? OK what about your impressions? What do you hear? Right! - you hear an album which is much better than what was released. Without 'Nattfiolen Demo', the album Nattfiolen is just another excellent prog album. With 'Nattfiolen Demo', it would be a masterpiece of the same caliber as A Drop Of Light by All Traps On Earth. And 'Nattfiolen Demo' would be the cornerstone of the album, the most complex, intriguing, innovative, inventive and - on the other hand - heartfelt track. Maybe only Mine Templer II and Til Vaaren could compare to it. Yes if 'Nattfiolen Demo' is included, side one of the vinyl version would exceed 30 minutes, and this could cause a problem. Re-sequencing is not a solution because it would break the harmonious logic of the album. (Though Tormod of Pancromatic and his pressing plant staff know how to do so-called micro-recordings with no sound quality loss, just remember the vinyl versions of Kerrs Pink - Tidings, or Thule - Liquid, or White Willow - Terminal Twilight...) But if we forget about possible technical issues and discuss the music only, the rejection of 'Nattfiolen Demo' was an undoubted tactical mistake.