IN SEARCH OF A NEW DAWN

One of the lesser known bands of the 80s Norwegian underground, the ethno-psychedelic prog band TANGLE EDGE emerged alongside similarly minded bands such as Ozric Tentacles, Violeta de OUtano and Djam Karet only these bands emerged world's apart and presumably totally unaware of the other's existence (no internet in the 80s!). TANGLE EDGE arose from well above the Arctic circle in the small town of Narvik, Norway in 1981 when Ronald Nygård and Hasse Horrigmoe discovered the world of psychedelic music to be the perfect outlet for escaping the vast Arctic wilderness which kept the long sunless days in northern Norway from becoming insufferable.

Over the years TANGLE EDGE released a few cassette-only releases but after adding Ronald Nygård, as a trio recorded and released the debut IN SEARCH OF A NEW DAWN in 1989 on the band's own Mushroom Productions label. This all-instrumental psychedelic delicatessen of a debut showcased the band's diverse delivery of psychedelia throughout the ages ranging from guitar driven rock to keyboard saturated Krautrock, Indo-raga rock and extended jams. With nine tracks that add up to over 48 minutes of playing time, TANGLE EDGE showcased a veritable blend of developed progressive rock techniques in the context of ethnically tinged space rock.

Ranging from the echoey placidity of the opening "Isis at the Invisible Frontispiece" to the raga rock escapism of "A Secret Inside Clopedia," TANGLE EDGE demonstrates its range of world music inspirations as well as its biting guitar attacks as in the Amon Duul II inspired "Caesar's Integrated Flaw" as well as the lysergically inspired Hawkwind styles of "The Approaching Triptykhon Sunset" that feature wild an demanding guitar antics usually not associated with psychedelic space rock. The album flows from soft pastoral detached moments to heavy eruptions of distorted guitar rock. The juxtaposition of the placid and startling keeps this album from falling into any particular mood set and in many ways showcases the ups and downs of life in general.

TANGLE EDGE also excels at demonstrating its command of various ethnic fusion techniques by incorporating Scandinavian, Mediterranean and Balkan folk influences as well as Indian ragas, small doses of jazz and most of all the trippy escapist techniques delivered by the German Krautrock scene and healthy doses of electronic embellishments. Some notable bands that find a nod or two include Amon Duul II, Golem, Eloy, Popol Vuh and Between. The band also excels at lush folky guitar passages with occasional classical references as well. The overall trip is a mind-blowing roster of diversity that is all tied together by a detached spaced out effect. The electric guitar playing is top notch too bringing Ozric Tentacles to mind however even the heavier guitar parts have a wide range as some are based on bluesy hard rock jamming while others evoke the more dissonant approaches of 1970s King Crimson.

The album's entire run is brilliant but the knotty short acoustic piece "Mushy Shadows from a Lost Caravan" followed by the 15-minute "Sorlorgy" have to be a highlight as together they demonstrate some of the best guitar workouts on the album. The incessant flow of the beefy bass grooves and the busy percussive drive also makes "Sorlorgy" the heaviest track on board with crazy guitar soloing workouts and despite all the demanding technicalities never diverts from its overall mission as a space rock act. Considering this is a mere trio, the musical flow is excellently performed with an impeccable instrumental interplay, a wide array of influences and an especially satisfying display of dynamics that shift from the most serene moments of placidity to true scorching guitar driven heft. Seriously, they must have some REALLY good mushrooms growing up in the Arctic! I absolutely adore this one.