GRAKS

Compared to the previous "Frostbrent" album "Graks" was obviously quite a large step for Norvegian band Thule towards more sophisticated modern art rock. Without denying their roots in nordic goth rock they were trying here an approach of neo-psychedelic rock with a strong Floydian touch and I've got to say it works quite well. The majority of tracks can be described as rather mellow, atmospheric and dark having occasionally some more rocking moments and very often quite idiosyncratic sampling effects. The low-pitched vocals and mostly rather sluggish tempo are emphasizing very well the general melancholic mood making up this record to a kind of perfect soundtrack for long (nordic) winter nights (maybe not yet quite the right season for it just now). Actually there is only the opener "Supernova", "Song! (-Graks Vulgaris)" and "Feskehau" which are more in a harder-edged psyche or goth rock vein, all of them having some well-integrated odd sampling added up.

Overall this record being quite different from its two predecessors is an enjoyable listen for those ones who are more into the gothic realm and might offer enough interesting aspects for some Prog fans. But I doubt that it can be considered an essential one in general and it probably won't become one of my all-time favourites. I guess the releases of this band are neither absolute must-have ones as some 5-star ratings here obviously done in some enthusiastic mood might assume nor are they completely negligible. For anyone liking dark nordic music Thule is certainly a nice option. This one here deserves 3 ½ stars I would say!

Third album from this Gothic-prog group from Norway, Thule (named after Greenland's capital) might have produced their best (or at least most original) album after a few years' absence. Their sombre rock fits quite a well our Art Rock category even if progheads would find it difficult to relate them to another prog groups. Their most obvious influences would come from the 80's Goth rock like Dead Can Dance or in a weird way Bauhaus (not to be confused with the band in our archives, though) and even Sister Of Mercy or the first Cult album, Love.

While definitely more prog than the previous Forstbrent, Graks is really into depressing melancholic shorter songs with low guttural vocals (typically gothic, but not far away from death metal either, but not screaming them), cold ambiances that often sounds popish, with a few Floyd twinges (Gilmour and Mason). Overall, I seem to be attracted to the longer songs like Daga and its second part (both over the 7-min mark) and Hjaerteslag; Song! starts with a dramatic guitar, but unfortunately it gets drown out soon enough by average songwriting. As is the case with the second half of the album where every tracks follows without much notice: there is a sax in the closing track, Blasar.

Needless to say that the songs are already not that fascinating, but the Norwegian lyrics are not helping out either. Quite difficult for me to discuss their sound, but pleasant enough if prog did not exist in so many forms and much less choices. Hardly essential, but if you are into Miranda Sex Garden, you'll likely appreciate Thule as well.

Does effect the weather music? Well, in sunny tropical atmospheres the music is often cheerful with propulsive rhythms but in rainy and cold Skandinavia I notice many bands that play dark music with slow and compelling rhythms. Take for example this fourth studio album by Norwegian band Thule: listening to the 12 compositions you feel the cold and the rain and you start to feel quite melancholical, what a dark music but I was told during my honeymoon in West-Norway that most of the time it is dark, cold and rainy in Norway so you can conclude that Thule succeeded to translate their climate perfectly into the music! The sound has echoes from spacey Pink Floyd and Porcupine Tree featuring soaring keyboards and emotional guitarplay with some biting guitar runs. At other moments the music is more dynamic and propulsive but this album never got me very excited and the Norwegian vocals often reminds me of the Swedish cook in The Muppet Show! A decent effort, perhaps their most mature effort.

One word: unusual

It’s not unusual in the way most Avant Rock follows: quirky signatures, crazy mood and insane musicianship. It’s not also unusual in Psychedelic way; it’s hella trippy, but not as much as some other bands I experienced. It’s unusual in its own way. THULE doesn’t consider themselves to be a Prog Rock band I guess, and they are not one actually. This is Norwegian Dark Music, with elements of Goth Metal, Space Rock and Scandinavian Folk equally mixed together in one. A ballad can be interrupted with a trip- hoppish break and then continue with a real rocky drive. Imagine what if LANDBERK would record “On the Sundays of Life” but in a better quality with RAMMSTEIN’s vocalist!!! No, that guy from THULE is not that extreme, but he has the same way LOW BASS VOICE, y’know… They are original, but I just didn’t enjoy them much. It’s good to listen to them from time to time, it clears brains stuck to predictable Symphonic clichés or Avant meanderings, but I won’t recommend them for everyday listening. But if you want to be challenged – get it right now. Recommended after all.