With their highly anticipated fourth album, ‘The Third Sleep’, Norwegian progressive rock band OAK delivers a striking exploration of societal complacency and the struggle of the individual. The album contrasts light and darkness, both thematically and musically, seamlessly blending folk-inspired acoustic passages with the raw intensity of progressive metal, evoking echoes of Opeth and beyond.
On the 25th of April, OAK follows up their highly acclaimed ‘The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise’ with a new album, ‘The Third Sleep’.
About the album, the band has this to say:
“The Third Sleep continues the development from TQROC lyrically and further descends into the darkness of the mind errands. The form is suggestive and poetic, with room for interpretation within certain limits. The album is also more outgoing than its more introspective predecessor, with socially critical lyrics that require the listener’s attention and an ability to read between the lines.”
With a rich musical foundation that spans classical piano, electronica, progressive and hard rock, OAK has carved out a distinctive sound—both captivating and challenging in equal measure.
I’m a huge fan of OAK and their wonderfully haunting music that really gets under your skin so I was very excited when I heard that they were releasing a new album and, boy, have they not let me down!
From the opening notes of No Such Place with it’s beautifully complex musical arrangements and Simen Vallal Johannessen’s lilting vocal, I was hooked and realised that these guys have done it again. The addition of the delicate but emphatic woodwind just gives a deep meaning and gravitas to the song and there’s a fantastic flow to the music. London has a darker, harder edged opening, almost industrial in feel where Sigbjørn Reiakvam’s drums give a fine counterpoint to the elegance of the vocals. Mature and reflective, OAK have moved there sound on from the previous album and truly progressed. There’s almost a menace to the keyboards and the bass of Øystein Sootholtet just sits in the back ground directing proceedings. A hauntingly memorable piano line opens Run Into the Sun and the shimmering swathe of keyboards adds a polished sheen to this stunning track. Simen is on top form here, his vocals are just beautiful, especially on the fine chorus and we are treated to one of OAK’s best songs yet, it certainly one of my favourites from their impressive catalogue. What really impresses me on ‘The Third Sleep’ is how the band have brought the guitars more to the fore and it really adds another dimension to their already impressive music. First single Shimmer opens with a halting, moody tone and the vocals come in a bit deeper and hushed. It all gives a pensive and wistful feeling but that changes when the powerful chorus opens up and the vocals soar, driven on by the compelling rhythm section and demonstrative guitar. this track actually does shimmer with a fragile confidence that you can feel and then the plaintive woodwind comes in again to add another level of finesse.
Shapeshifter is another piece that is rather pensive and thoughtful in feel and tone but it has Simen’s rather gorgeous vocals to lift it above the norm. I just can’t get enough of his epic voice. These three musicians seem to gel perfectly have produced their own unique sound and that is no more evident than on this superb song. the guitar, drums and piano all blend together in an imposing soundscape that just grans your attention and won’t let go. The faster paced, demonstrative ethos of Borders gets you on edge immediately and I like it’s almost random, off-kilter feel. The drums lead and the vocals follow willingly, aided by a fine, skittering piano note. you feel that this piece is building up to something as the tension raise before being let loose on an uplifting and arresting chorus. It’s an elegantly emotive song that lives long in the memory after it closes. The album closes with the epic and profound Sensory Overload, a complex and thought provoking musical journey that feels like you’re in the labyrinthine mind of a tortured musical genius. You get thrown from left to right and all over on this memorable and suitably dramatic odyssey. I mean, there’s even some growling vocals thrown in and I’m not usually a fan of them but, here, they work perfectly! What a rather magnificent way to close the album.
With ‘The Third Sleep’, OAK have returned with a dramatic, exciting and rather imposing collection of songs that shows a young band full of creativity and vitality. It is their best album yet and one of the best things you will hear this year, sublime, grandiose and, to put it simply, brilliant!
Released 25th April, 2025.
Order from bandcamp here:
https://oakinoslo.bandcamp.com/album/the-third-sleep
Stream ‘Shimmer’ from this link: