GAMLE MESTER

Wobbler's keyboardist extraordinaire has returned with a stellar follow up to his 2023 ' Fire Fortellinger' opening solo salvo, a sparkling offering with the title 'Gamle Mester', named after a legendary oak tree, that provides wisdom, endurance, and timeless reflection. Needless to reiterate that if one enjoys symphonic keyboard displays, this certainly is among 'the Six Wives of Henry VIII' of the 21st century. Similarly to the Caped Yes man, Lars Fredrik whips out a stunning arsenal of assorted ivoried instruments, such as the Mellotron M400, Mini-Moog Model D, Chamberlin M1, Hammond C3, Rhodes Mk II, Hohner Clavinet D6, ARP Axxe & Pro Soloist, Solina String Ensemble, Roland Vp-330, Sequential Circuits Prophet-3, KORG VC-10 , Wurlitzer 200, Yamaha CP70B, Spinet , upright Piano and whatever a Marxophone and Tremoloa are (fretless zithers) ! Vintage instrumental progressive rock at its finest. Nikolai Haengsle mans the bass guitar parts , Ketil Einarsen does his flute and recorder magic, while Froislie takes care of the percussive side.

From the initial Rickenbacker 4003-led whirlwind 'Demring' onto the final hurrah on Skumring', the master takes the listener on a retro journey that maintains a strong classical pace, thrilling sequences that span a vast cross-section of what prog has the finest to offer. Within the mixture, there are symphonic elements blending with Norse folk tendencies, at times baroque and medieval, as well as a hint of gothic, with a wide variety of solo spots to show off his impressive technical chops, though it must be said that each note has a purpose and never comes across as flaunting any ego. The man is just a plain wizard.

Every second ticking by is pure joy, exultation, passion, as well as restraint and even defiance, a creative musician who senses all the infinite possibilities of sound and space, just like the grand masters of the past. His piano work is exemplary throughout the album, a sure sign of musical quality, in my book. 'Jakten Pa det Kalydonske Villsin' even dares to incorporate his echo-laden Norwegian voice, amid an endless forest of stop and start contrasts, icy mellotron gales, synthesizers pellets of snow and diving into deep fjords of mesmerizing intensity. The raging Hammond is, as per norm, a fabulous adornment that takes no prisoners. Contrast that with pools of ambient imagery, before plunging back into the Wotan funeral pyre, as the distant Drakkar burns in abject respect. A fascinating expos' of retro prog.

The title track serves to keep the bar not only high but even owning it up by rising to the challenge. It's immediately catchy and addictive, plowing head down into battle like a Viking rampage, an almost early ELP instrumental feel that exudes an 'organic' charm. The entire mid-section comes across as a keyboard buffet, each spotlight shining on a specific mood, the bellicose bass huffing and puffing like a muskox gone berserk. Yes, it's definitely sounds like an outright classic piece of music, both challenging and diverse.

A rest period , perhaps? Definitely not, as 'Medusas Flate' launches into another extensive showcase of compositional adventure, the focus now on the mighty Mellotron to direct the mood into another vocalized piece with that low-key voice dancing along with the clavinet , a tingling procession of sound that shows no deference to easy listening. Highly detailed, constantly effervescing, swooning, veering and pausing, there is nothing predictable here. I heard moments of the style expressed by the late Rick van der Linden of Ekseption and Trace fame, as there is a virtuous tone to the arrangement.

The epic 12 minutes and change on 'De Tre Gratier' is surely my highlight track, as the spinet and the fretless zithers now play an active Middle Ages role in setting off ancient images of torch-lit procession in the taciturn darkness of an Arctic winter. The paralleling of voice and organ is spellbinding, the spectral quality of the atmosphere beguiling and you just want to close your eyes and follow blindly the sonic adventure, wherever it may lead. The synthesized mid- section is a prime example of tactile restraint, a weaving of sound that can only intoxicate even the most hardened prog veteran. Froislie builds up the majestic melody that was there all along, in the shadows of it, just waiting for the moment to appear. I am a total sucker for this style; I could wrap myself in this headspace for days on end. One of the finest 2025 epics, a certain consideration for podium space. 'Skumring' is the fitting symphonic finale, all pomp and circumstance.

While Wobbler certainly has well deserved merits and is one of the vanguards of modern prog, I have a much stronger affinity for this kind of expertise, as it checks all the boxes, every single one of many. 'Lang levetid' (long life) Lars Erik! The easiest 5 acorns ever.

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