Prog Recommendations/Featured albums

AFENGINN are an adventurous Danish avant-garde klezmer band who formed in 2002. The name itself means “intoxication and strength” in Old Norse. They have a strong punk, Nordic folk and world music influence and since the release of “Akrobakkus”, have taken on jazz influences as well. The group are categorised by the musical press as a “'b*****d-ethno' band with Norse melancholy and cheerful madness" and they are not far off with this definition. AFENGINN feature a drummer/percussionist and a bass player but adopt the more common klezmer band instruments of clarinet, violin, mandolin and mandola. The strong bass rhythm on many of the compositions adds a more rock-oriented feel to the music and their unorthodox approach and time signatures make them appealing to not only progressive music fans, but also those who enjoy jazz and (ethnic and gypsy) folk music.

The main collaborator for AFENGINN is Finnish mandolin and mandola player Kim Nyberg, a student of Musicology at the University of Copenhagen, who brings in that Finnish feel to Afenginn's music. He is ably assisted by Rasmus Krøyer on clarinet (also studying Musicology at the University of Copenhagen, but also previously a student of Lee Morgan of the Royal Danish Orchestra), Niels Skovmand on violin (educated at The Royal Danish Academy of Music), Rune Kofoed on drums/percussion and Aske Jacoby on bass. They are influenced by such acts as KAIZERS ORCHESTRA, ALAMAAILMAN VASARAT, TOM WAITS, TIGER LILLIES and GOGOL BORDELLO and have performed alongside Frank London from the KLEZMATICS.

They released their debut album “Retrograd” (featuring many guest musicians) in 2004 to critical acclaim from the press, receiving many nominations and several awards including “Best World Album” at the 2005 Danish World Music Awards.

In 2006, they released their second album “Akrobakkus” which again proved to be a critical success, reaching the World Music charts in Europe in February 2007. Musically, it continues on from where “Retrograd” left off, with their usual stylistics and good humour. However, during the release party for “Akrobakkus”, Andrzej Krejniuk (the original Polish-born bass player) decided to leave the band and a secret vote was taken to choose his replacement. Aske Jacoby was chosen as his successor and their sound has now taken on a more jazz-tinged direction.

Accompanying their music, the band have also commissioned several artistic and live concert videos which can be found on their website and the “Retrograd” CD.

AFENGINN have toured Denmark as well as other European countries, such as Finland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Faeroe Islands, Switzerland and Germany, and have also played in the U.S.

If you enjoy klezmer and gypsy/ethnic music with a twist and good humour and enjoy such bands as ALAMAAILMAN VASARAT, FRANK ZAPPA (his klezmer years) and JOHN ZORN (MASADA), then AFENGINN should appeal to you.

: : : Biography written by James R. Yeowell : : :

Afenginn means intoxication and strength. With high tempo, great joy and border seeking musical ideas Afenginn has build up a reputation of virtuosity and excellent live shows the past years. Performing with artists such as Frank London from the Klezmatics and doing performances with symphony orchestra, Afenginn is still ambitious to new serious adventures. Since the forming in 2002 their brand has been originality – the music grows out of the roots of world, punk and Nordic folk music and travels from the smallest pianissimo to wild and roaring parts.

Afenginn's homebrewed and unique style has been categorized as b*****d-ethno, with a sigh of Nordic melancholy and a twist of cheerful madness. We are in a twilight zone, where also Tom Waits, Gogol Bordello, Tiger Lillies and Kaizers Orchestra can be found.

”They've developed into a world class eccentric group, even though there's little of Denmark in their sound. Take them for what they are, which is wonderful, and enjoy. Pure madness.”

”They're shockingly good, with imaginations and technique that won't quit. If there's justice, they'll be huge.”

The two albums Akrobakkus (2006) and Retrograd (2004) have both got very good reviews in the press and have received several awards and nominations at the Danish Music Awards. Retrograd was chosen “Best World Album” in 2005 at the Danish World Music Awards, and Akrobakkus got nominated in several categories at the Folk and World Awards. Moreover, Akrobakkus has reached the World Music charts Europe in February 2007.

The orchestra plays exclusively own compositions and has performed in clubs, festivals and Radio and Television shows in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Faeroe Islands, Germany, Belgium, Estonia, Switzerland and USA with more than 200 concerts in the past years.

“For one times sake I have to take off my hat!...and the rest of the clothes as well.” Live review by Peter Fritzen in Kultunaut, November 2004.