Due to some technical issues, we’ve been offline for a while but we are back with four fabulous new releases from Glass Hammer, IQ, Bjørn Riis and Oak. So, without any further ado, let’s dig in!
Glass Hammer – ‘Rogue‘
GLASS HAMMER GOES ROGUE WITH April 11th RELEASE
Glass Hammer’s “Rogue” spins the tale of one man’s fateful, final journey. “He leaves everything he knows behind,” explains composer Steve Babb. “And thinks he’s returning to a place where he once knew happiness, but in reality, his odyssey will sweep him away to somewhere completely unexpected.”
Babb explains that the ten-song album explores themes of regret, heartache, and the mortal salience that comes with age. “Life is fleeting,” he continues. “It’s a heavy topic for an album, but the music isn’t as heavy as our last few releases. Rogue is much more like the Glass Hammer albums our fans refer to as “classic.”
And who’s in the lineup? “It’s no secret that Glass Hammer reinvents itself every few albums,” says Babb. “It’s happened again! This time with a lot of new faces.”
Rogue features performances by Fred Schendel, Reese Boyd, and David Wallimann (GH guitarist 2006-2010). Vocalists Thomas Jakob (Netherlands) and Olivia Tharpe (USA) are new to the band. They’re joined by guitarist Oliver Day (UK), keyboardist Ariel Perchuck (Argentina), drummer Evgeni Obruchkov (Poland), and others. “It’s an international cast of characters,” Babb points out. “A super-talented group that our fans are sure to love.”
The hour-long Rogue is Glass Hammer’s twenty-second studio album. Fans can pre-order autographed copies, t-shirts and downloads on the band’s website:
Steve Babb photo credit: Julie Babb
Track list:
1. What If
2. The Road South
3. Tomorrow
4. Pretty Ghost
5. Sunshine
6. I Will Follow
7. The Wonder Of It All
8. One Last Sunrise
9. Terminal Lucidity
10. All Good Things
IQ – ‘Dominion’
GEP recently announced the release of Dominion, the long-awaited new album from IQ, the first new music in 6 years following-up 2019’s Resistance. Dominion will be released on March 28th, 2025.
Today, the band have released the video for the first single titled “No Dominion” which you can see here:
Peter Nicholls: “Hot on the heels of Resistance’ six years ago! Yes, it’s been a long time coming (we couldn’t be accused of rushing these things!) but we’re confident this album is really strong and has been worth the wait. To be releasing a new IQ album in our 44th year feels genuinely exciting”.
Mike Holmes: “We did actually write a lot more material for Dominion, but this choice of songs (and the running order) feels like a cohesive album to me. Even in this age of streaming individual songs I still approach a new album with a ‘side one’ and ‘side two’ thing in my head and the selection and placement of songs for Dominion just feels like a classic album should (I know, I’m using ‘old people’ speak!). “The original intention was to have a second disc of other material but that would have taken a lot longer to put together and we figured six years was quite enough. It does mean that there’s already quite a bit of stuff ready for the next one.”
Dominion will be available in a six panel digi-sleeve CD with 16-page booklet and a one-disc coloured vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve.
Pre-orders for the album will begin on Feb 17th, 2025 via the band’s website:
Bjørn Riis – ‘Fimbulvinter’
Bjørn Riis is among Norway’s most acclaimed and prolific artists in the progressive rock genre. As a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, he’s transitioned from learning his trade in obscure cover bands to having worldwide success both as a forming member of Airbag and as a solo artist.
This spring, Bjørn follows up his highly acclaimed ‘Everything to Everyone’ (“This fantastic musician’s best work!” – Progradar UK), with a new album, ‘Fimbulvinter’ on the 11th of April.
To whet the appetite of his fans, the track Gone has been chosen as a single and Bjørn has this to say about it:
“”Gone” was the first track I wrote for the album. It’s one of those songs you just want to play loud in your car going fast on the highway! I wanted it to have that pop and monumental feel to it, while dealing with a somewhat serious matter. It’s about the fear of not being enough, of being rejected and dealing with that by wanting to escape and flee. I’m playing all of the instruments, with Kai Christoffersen on drums and my long-time collaborator, Vegard Kleftås Sleipnes, mixing and co- producing.”
Gone can be streamed or downloaded from the following link:
https://orcd.co/bjornriis-gone
‘Fimbulvinter’ is a personal album, based on Bjørn’s own experience dealing with anxiety. The lyrics are profoundly honest and emotional, describing utter hopelessness, paranoia and despair yet a hope and gratitude. Riis says:
“It’s not an autobiographical album but I wanted to share some of my own experience and write about a topic that I think is very important. Mental health is something everyone is dealing with in one form or another, in different periods of life. It’s something we all can relate to but it’s still somewhat of a tabu. The music is possibly the heaviest I’ve written. There’s some really powerful stuff, with guitars and drums, but there are also beautiful and evocative moments that adds a strong contrast and diversity.”
The title, ‘Fimbulvinter’, refers to Norse mythology and the tale of the long winter that leads up to Ragnarok – the end of the world and a new beginning.
Fimbulvinter feature Bjørn on all instruments and vocals, with contributions from Airbag’s Henrik Bergan Fossum (drums), Arild Brøter from Pymlico (drums) and Kai Christoffersen.
Once again, Bjørn has teamed up with long-time collaborator Vegard Kleftås Sleipnes, who co- produced, mixed and mastered the album.
Tracklisting for ‘Fimbulvinter’ is as follows:
1. Illhug
2. Gone
3. Panic Attack
4. She
5. Fimbulvinter
6. Fear of Abandoned
‘Fimbulvinter’ will be available CD, Digipak, Digital and Black Vinyl LP and Coloured Vinyl LP formats, and can now be pre-ordered at:
And bandcamp here:
https://bjornriis.bandcamp.com
Oak – ‘The Third Sleep’
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.
Recorded in Ljugekroken (Oslo), the album was mixed by David Castillo (Katatonia, Leprous, Opeth) and mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo (White Willow, Donner) at Dude Ranch Studio, Sandøya.
Prepare to experience “The Third Sleep”, a thought-provoking journey through sound and emotion.
Tracklisting for “The Third Sleep” is as follows:
1. No Such Thing
2. London
3. Run Into the Sun
4. Shimmer
5. Shapeshifter
6. Borders
7. Sensory Overload
“The Third Sleep” will be available CD, Digital and Blue/Purple Smash Vinyl LP formats, and can now be pre-ordered at:
https://www.karismarecords.no/kar288-oak-the-third-sleep
and bandcamp:
https://oakinoslo.bandcamp.com/album/the-third-sleep
OAK originated as a duo, which expanded into today’s line-up of Simen Valldal Johannessen on vocals, piano and keys, Øystein Sootholtet on bass, acoustic and electric guitars and Sigbjørn Reiakvam on drums, percussion, programming, keys and guitars. The fact that OAK’s members come from diverse backgrounds, which range from classical piano, to electronica, to prog and hard rock, with references to both the alternative scene as well as the progressive rock scene, has allowed OAK to create a unique sound.