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THE CENTURY OF THE SELF

Airbag

Neo-Prog


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Airbag The Century of the Self album cover
4.02 | 77 ratings | 5 reviews | 23% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 2024

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Dysphoria (10:38)
2. Tyrants and Kings (6:47)
3. Awakening (6:44)
4. Erase (7:50)
5. Tear It Down (15:00)

Total Time 46:59

Line-up / Musicians

- Asle Tostrup / vocals, keyboards and programming
- Henrik Bergan Fossum / drums
- Bjørn Riis / guitars, bass, keyboards and backing vocals

With:
- Kristian Hultgren / bass (1,5)
- Ole Michael Bjørndal / guitar (1,2,5)
- Simen Valldal Johannessen / keyboards (5)

Releases information

Label: Karisma Records
Format: Vinyl, CD, Digital
June 14, 2024

Thanks to mbzr48 for the addition
and to kev rowland for the last updates
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AIRBAG The Century of the Self ratings distribution


4.02
(77 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music (23%)
23%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection (42%)
42%
Good, but non-essential (29%)
29%
Collectors/fans only (5%)
5%
Poor. Only for completionists (1%)
1%

AIRBAG The Century of the Self reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by kev rowland
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog Reviewer / Special Collaborator
4 stars Asle Tostrup (vocals, keyboards and programming), Henrik Bergan Fossum (drums), and Bjørn Riis (guitars, bass, keyboards and backing vocals) are back with the sixth Airbag album, and this time around are joined by guests Kristian Hultgren (bass on "Dysphoria" & "Tear it Down"), Ole Michael Bjørndal (guitar on "Dysphoria", "Tyrants and Kings" & "Tear it Down"), and Simen Valldal Johannessen (keyboards on "Tear it Down"). I felt they lost their way somewhat with 2020's 'A Day At The Beach', but this is a return to form with an album which is incredibly reflective, using acoustic guitars when the time is right and a great use of space to allow the instruments and vocals to breathe and have the room to fully come into their own. At times both the arrangements and melodies are simple yet brought together in a manner which is sheer beauty and delight. Yet there are others when the music is more menacing and direct in its approach.

There are only five songs within the 47 minutes, but nothing overstays its welcome and there is a place for everything. Lyrically they discuss the themes of cancel culture and the rewriting of personal histories, offering a commentary on a world steeped in fear and condemnation. Time and again we return to a simple musical approach which allows the guys to build and take us on a journey as there is plenty of contrast and dynamics contained within. This is not an album to be taken lightly or to be placed to one side after just a few listens as it is only after it has been played constantly that the real beauty and hidden gems make themselves known. It is a grower in the true sense of the word and let us hope it is not so long until they return with the next one.

Latest members reviews

5 stars Here is finally the worthy successor to the magnificent 'A Day at the Beach' of 2020. Airbag is back in 5 tracks and 46 minutes with the album 'The Century of the Self'. The Norwegian group further asserts its personality with this album by offering music that appears simple but in which treasur ... (read more)

Report this review (#3067566) | Posted by David_ProgCritique | Wednesday, July 17, 2024 | Review Permanlink

4 stars This Norwegian prog band started in the mid-2000s and has become known for their distinctive blend of progressive, ambient, and alternative rock (with Pink Floyd and Radiohead being the most obvious influences). This is their 6th album, and it does not disappoint, laying down a dark, moody, atmosphe ... (read more)

Report this review (#3064802) | Posted by BBKron | Friday, July 5, 2024 | Review Permanlink

4 stars Airbag is far from a newcomer to us nostalgic fans of 70s progressive rock?in fact, it's quite the opposite. This brilliant project, initiated in Oslo, Norway, in the 90s (though they only released their debut album in 2009), is known for blending the best of 70s prog with more modern, chill, an ... (read more)

Report this review (#3062936) | Posted by patrishiou | Thursday, June 27, 2024 | Review Permanlink

5 stars Just a few lines to talk about the latest AIRBAG... It's excellent: From afar we are looking at the rest of his albums which stand out more and more from the Floydian atmosphere, which is a plus; what is interesting is that the sound becomes a crossover of its own, and demonstrates that it was ... (read more)

Report this review (#3059197) | Posted by alainPP | Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | Review Permanlink

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