SWARMLIFE

TURN THE LIGHT OFF AND LISTEN ... after a seven year gap this band from Oslo, Norway is offering a new creative statement that covers some really outstanding heavy prog tracks, yet also including slight leanings to the alternative rock genre. Erik Halbakken (guitar) and drummer Espen Granseth are the constants acting from the very start on. Since 2015 then in collaboration with Alex Delver, who is capable of contributing very expressive lead vocals. Finally, of course I should also note Magnus Andersen completing the quartet. He's managing the bass guitar work while acting on the same premium musicianship level. Keyboards respectively synths are not credited somewhere, but available anyhow, surely taking a backseat though.

So what, the goal is to let it rip in any case. But hey, this entirely comes within (my) reasonable limits, and with proper psychedelic ambience on top of it. And so Techtree is dedicated to prepare the floor, marks the suitable warm up due to a rather hypnotic repetitve flow. The heavier loaded Urras follows, though serving a formidable switch to a jazzy expression in between on several occasions. Next track Out Of Labour then comes with a strong jamming approach I'd say. Great inspiration! Initiating as well as finalizing in a sensitive, melancholic manner Collapsist is climbing up to perfect harmony regarding instruments and vocals. This is all merging into the ultimate highlight Third Body, the album's masterpiece, just to note.

Although including some harsh vocal way of expressing a flawlessly arranged sing along case in a special instance. The Master's House finally is relaxing the whole show a bit again, they are shutting down the machines so to say. Brillant, gripping, virtuoso, adventurous, highly melodic, within this genre boundaries it really doesn't get any better than that. And now superlatives are nearly running out ... 'Swarmlife' marks an irresistible performance featuring some references to the likes of Wolverine, Portal, Tool, PreHistoric Animals, and similiar. Please take your time (approximately one hour), don't forget to follow the initial instruction, and give it a chance in one go ...