Norway's progressive rock veterans Tusmørke have been around since the mid-1990's, but Hestehoven is the first time I have investigated their music. Being a part of the growing Karisma Records roster is probably the best place for this eclectic outfit, which is billed as one of their 'weirder' of the prog acts from Norway, and after hearing this latest release, I can certainly understand that statement, though weird in this case, I believe is a good thing. The line-up for the album is:
Benediktator / bass, vocals, guitars, keyboards
Krizla / flute, vocals
Haugebonden Gode Gullstein / keyboards
HlewagastiR / drums
There is a huge Norwegian folk element sprinkled throughout this album, and that's blended with classic '70s progressive rock. "Cycle of the Gylfaginning" gives you all that and more to kick off the album, an uptempo piece that ticks all the right boxes and features English vocals. It's a charming number, and very representative of modern Norwegian prog. The title track follows, and the vocals switch to their native tongue, which is indeed the case for much of the album. This is a keyboard-heavy piece, as the band brings out the Moog, Mellotron, Hammond, etc. along with some folk elements. "Den behornede guden" is light and whimsical, kind of folky but the heavy Hammond organ is a nice surprise, and the flute is lovely. "Ã…ndemaneren" reminds of early '70s Jethro Tull, and again, the Hammond organ is prominent as it chugs alongside busy drums, flute, and organ. "Jeg klumser deg" comes across like a demented Pagan festival gathering, and the haunting Mellotron and flute come out for the eerie "Kyprianos", a really chilling song that shows the darker side of the band. English vocals come back out for the lengthy closer "The Wicked Ways of Witches and Wizards", another wild song that features some electric guitar for the first time on the album, paired up with horror lyrics, booming heavy Hammond, flute, Moog, and fuzz bass. It's easily the heaviest song on the album, and one of the most fascinating musically.
Along with Wobbler and Jordsjo, Tusmørke is among the shining lights of the Norwegian prog-rock scene, and while Hestehoven might just prove to be a tad too eclectic for some, for this listener, all the elements that make their music so different are what ultimately is drawing me in. Recommended!
Oh, and be prepared for some of the wildest cover art you've seen in ages!
Track Listing
1.
Cycle of the Gylfaginning 04:08
2.
Hestehoven 06:26
3.
Den behornede guden 07:50
4.
Ã…ndemaneren 03:24
5.
Jeg klumser deg 05:46
6.
Kyprianos 05:12
7.
The Wicked Ways of Witches and Wizards 07:31
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