GAMLE MESTER

To catch up on speed, Lars Fredrik Frøislie is a Norwegian prog rock keyboardist most known for his work with Wobbler, and Tusmørke. He had started his solo career in 2023 with his debut of Fire fortellinger, a record I very much enjoyed.

In a way, like a lot of sophomore albums, this one keeps up with the styles that its former had. Very organ heavy retro prog is not quite new for Lars' sound profile, but even if it is not new, he does do a good job at making each song good in their own right. Tracks like Demring, and De Tre Gratier carry on the kinds of sounds you'd expect from the Hinterland side of Wobbler's sound, mixed with a sound that draws from acts like Anglagard and Phideaux.

The Anglagard influence surprisingly feels a lot more prevalent here I think. It's very clear from Wobbler's earlier records that they were inspired by their older Swedish cousins in the retro prog sphere, but I think Lars bumps that influence greatly on this record. And I gotta say, I dig it. I am already an Anglagard sucker, so Gamle Mester having a much more 'gothic prog' influence does make me very happy.

I can also tell that Lars' playing has improved. Probably not greatly, after all he has been top of the line since, like, From Silence to Somewhere, but sometimes on this record I could say he might put even Rick Wakeman to shame, and I think that alone is pretty impressive.

However, I do agree with some people that say that the album's bigger shortcomings is that it's kind of just the same ol' stuff that Lars has been making for like the past 20 years.

I am sort of in the boat with people who are getting a bit tired of retro prog. I love retro prog as much as the next guy, in fact a lot of records I love are retro prog, but I do agree that it's certainly not as redefining as it once was. I am not 100% in the boat mind you. My toes are in the water, and I am ready to slide off the edge back into the seas below if I so choose. But at the same time, I do wish this album did a bit more for the retro prog formula.

A lot of retro prog groups and artists like Lars usually, if not, always go for the organ heavy symphonic prog style. Makes sense, because that was the most prevalent style of prog rock in the 70s. But it's ALWAYS symphonic prog, so after a while the wow factor just kind of disappears and things become predictable..

I think the only band that has stood the test of time in the retro prog format, at least in the long run, is Beardfish, and that is mostly because they try to do more than just symphonic prog. In a way, now, I want more acts to be like Beardfish in the regards of making music that sounds like old school progressive rock.

Sure, symphonic prog may have been the standard in the 70s, but there were still other styles in the genre to explore from while still keeping in the retro prog characteristics. Perhaps?and this is just a suggestion?Lars should invest in other styles of prog rock, or even rock in general. Imagine an heavy, occultish rock album from him, or perhaps him dabbling into synth heavy neo-prog? Heck maybe it doesn't need to be rock, maybe he could try out classical production. He clearly has the power to make some real impressive scores.

Aside from my rambles of retro prog nowadays, I still really enjoyed this record for what it's worth. It may not have the same wowness that its previous incarnation had, but I still think it's worth your time.

Best tracks: Demring, Jakten På Det Kalydonske Villsvin, De Tre Gratier

Worst track: Skumring

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