THE BRIMSTONE SOLAR RADIATION BAND

Hailing from Norway, Brimstone is the embodiment of the modern desire for retro. Sometimes this is a bad thing, but here it's perfect. Basically they're straight up prog/psych and have nailed down the grooves and instrument sounds to a tee, perhaps even going beyond retro in a postmodern sense. Where they tack on their bit of modern flavor is in the vocals, which end up being a bit on the sloppy indie side for my tastes, but oh well, the whole of the sound is still phenomenal. Early on, "Rubberlegged Man" caught my attention with its intro that tosses in some non-conventionality with tuned percussion battling against distorted guitar before diving into a swirl of vintage textures driven by Mellotron, Hammond, and chorusy guitars. "Voodoo" met my fancy with some psych meets folksy organ while "Flaming Lips at Ankle Height" nailed this thick, dirty sound on the intro melody that was absolutely delightful, apart from capitalizing on delicious grooves and a silly song title. Finally, "This is the Universe" goes to great lengths to sound retro with its decrepit piano part over a latin-esque feel in the middle, but what really grabbed me was the bombast of the tron choir followed by gritty guitars. In the end, this is a catchy, even dancy piece full of drum and bass that really grooves. If there's one last thing that needs to be mentioned its that Brimstone is all about MELODY. Wow, this band really knows how to walk that line of being catchy, melodic, and bouncy without ever leaving you feeling that they are resorting to cheap pop tricks. Well played.

Norwegian band BRIMSTONE started out as The Brimstone Solar Radiation band back in 1998, and released three full-length productions using this original moniker, the aptly named "Smorgasbord" from 2009 the most recent of these. Following a five year pause they have returned with a shortened band name and their fourth full-length album, "Mannsverk", released through the Norwegian label Karsima Records.

Psychedelic progressive rock is the name of the game for Brimstone on their fourth full-length production "Mannsverk", an album that consists of vintage instruments and a vintage sound that alongside what I'd describe as a more contemporary production, as far as song structure and arrangements are concerned, ends up as a compelling and sophisticated disc. Personally I noted what to my ears were certain similarities Beardfish's 2009 album "Destined Solitaire", and in my opinion most of the people who enjoyed that production, will also enjoy this one. Especially if they also might enjoy a band with more of a psychedelic touch, and songs with a generally stronger emphasis on bass guitar and drums.

Brimstones Mannsverk comes in the row of surprisingly leading norwegian productions of the last year, even though it has because of its well defined characteristics and refined production a very special identity. Its Retrosounds and atmospheric moments combine to a warm and fresh rhythmic build with catching melodies. In the foreground stand the dreamy, but powerful soundscapes, that were created by an array of 70ies instruments, that were superbly engineered to keep them in ballance with the certain musical freshness, that keeps the album lightweighted, but emotional though. Playfully spacey, alternating with rough parts full of power, mixed into a charismatic conception of musical lust and identity.

Great third effort by this Norwegian band, with an aptly named album to boot.

As one might guess by looking at the cover art, this is a production with quite a lot of 60's and 70's to be found. The general style is retro, but enveloped in a distinctly modern mix and production this makes for a rather intriguing sonic experience.

Musically we're treading in the lighter art rock territories, with wandering layered guitars providing both distinct themes as well as subtle and often fragmented details. 70's sounding electric guitar, acoustic guitar and mandolin being the main instruments of choice. Driving, elegant rhythms forms a high quality backdrop, and the lead vocals soars brilliantly above both in calmer as well as more emotional territories. Careful use of strings, reeds and organ provides the remaining details.

In style we're dealing with a band blending the sound of the Fab Four with 70's psychedelic and west coast rock, adding in elements from art rock as needed for the added sophistication. Generally positive and uplifting melodies, and pretty often energetic to boot. If the lighter side of the retro art rock universe is your thing, this is an album that should give you much joy.