FIMBULVINTER

This is the first time I have come across Norwegian prog act Kornmo, a trio who comprise Odd-Roar Bakken (keyboards, guitar), Nils Larsen (bass) and Anton J. R. Larsen (drums & percussion), but this is their third album. Mind you, if you had told me this had been released 50 years ago as opposed to 2021, I would have believed you as there is nothing here which ties it to the present day apart from the quality of the recording. Odd-Roar and Nils first met many years earlier, and later founded Adventure in 1990, then later forming Morild, before moving onto their latest venture where they have utilised the talents of Nils' son Anton.

The sounds being utilised by Odd-Roar are classic Mellotrons, Moogs and Hammond, often providing lengthy held chords while the bass and drums take the lead. It is quite Wagnerian at times, powerful and dramatic with no rush whatsoever. One can imagine songs such as "Dovre Faller" being performed on a pipe organ in a cathedral with the sounds reaching up to the vaulted ceilings as there is a real majesty which is almost like a religious experience. While some may imagine they might be like ELP, they are actually far removed, as they are looking more towards traditional folk and classical music, and this is part of the joy as they are not attempting to be like any of the other bands around. They say they are influenced by Camel, but in reality, they have little musically in common apart from them playing only instrumentals. The songs vary between 3 and 13 minutes in length, and when played on headphones this is a style of music which transports the listener as when this is playing nothing else exists. Symphonic yet delicate, powering yet gentle, this is a great album which fans of classic prog would do well to discover.

KORNMO are an instrumental trio out of Norway including Odd-Roar Bakken who was in the Lord Of The Rings wasn't he? Anyway he is in the band ADVENTURE and I reviewed one of their albums recently. He pays a variety of keyboards and guitar on here while we get Nils Larsen on bass who also wrote the music. Nils son Anton J.R. Larsen is the drummer and he also mixed and produced the album while all three arranged the music. Oh and Jacob Holm-Lupo from WHITE WILLOW and many more bands mastered it.

The music is Symphonic and slow to mid-paced without much in the way of breakouts and at over 71 minutes I did find this a tedious listen at times. Kind of samey and uniform as well and I did think of FRUITCAKE who I like but this is different without the vocals in play. Just about all the information in the liner notes is in Norwegian except where they say to go to Facebook to get the English version.

Some really nice music on here but I lack the patience. Plenty of organ and synths on this one and it's very retro and warm but just not my thing. There are so many positive reviews on this album around the internet so my review just offer a different opinion. Yeah lets go with that. The album's title come from Norse mythology and the cover art seconds that name meaning Great Winter which according to this mythology will come before the end of the world. This really was a change of pace for me but please check them out.