ARRIVAL OF THE NEW ELDERS

"Arrival Of The New Elders" is studio album number five for this power trio. It's under 44 minutes and includes eight tracks. Yes they've shortened the songs and turned down the power. A reflective and mature release with the Rhodes dominating their sound for the first time. They are aptly named as their first two records were like a stampede of elephants with this incredible rhythm section and that hammond organ soloing away. On the next two albums they continue in the same style but add a new flavour with Reine Fiske adding his unique guitar offerings. Then back to the organ led stuff on 2018's "Greatest Show On Earth".

So yes, it was probably time to change things up, and the title suggests that. All compositions except "Rite Of Ascension" were written by Stale Storlokken, and that track was written by bassist Nikolai Haengsle. You might recognize him as the bass player for NEEDLEPOINT as well. I do feel the cover art is their best yet, but I'm still not into Rune Grammofon's signature covers.

The opening title track begins with this cosmic and spacey intro signalling the arrival of the new elders. This song shows the new direction as it trips along and is fairly mellow with electric piano noodling over top. Sort of an uplifting ending. The bass player's track begins with a bass line surprisingly before drums and organ help out sounding very ELEPHANT9. It's more powerful at 2 1/2 minutes, and check out the drumming before 5 minutes. Drums get active fast. Bass to the fore again around 6 minutes in. This might be my favourite track. I feel this is a consistent recording, but with no real standout tracks.

"Sojourn" is okay but "Tales Of Secrets" is better as it's a great example of their new sound. Trippy and relaxed with Rhodes leading the way. "Throughout The Worlds" is pretty good while "Chasing The Hidden" is hearing this band like never before. Just sounds different to my ears. "Chemical Boogie" is right there with the bass player's song as far as favourites go. Relentless drumming and keyboard sounds. Fairly energetic as well when compared to the rest. Mellotron! "Solar Song" is a surprisingly mellow way to end this record.

This band along with MOTORPSYCHO really kick started the explosion of music that would come from Norway starting in the 10's. Sure their government is ultimately the reason we are blessed with so much quality music from this nation. Pouring a lot of their oil money into the arts. But "Death Defying Unicorn" from 2012 and the first two ELEPHANT9 albums from '08 and '10 certainly changed some perceptions. PS I would love to hear this band with a second keyboardist, say like David Wallumrod playing in that "Bitches Brew" style. These four could pull it off.