Tag: Sigbjørn Reiakvam

Review – 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.

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:

https://orcd.co/oak-shimmer

PRESS RELEASE: FIRST SINGLE IS REVEALED FOR THE NEW OAK ALBUM

Karisma Records announced earlier the release of the highly anticipated fourth album from OAK, “The Third Sleep”, which will be out on the 25th of April.  An album that 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.
 
The first single from “The Third Sleep” is the track “Shimmer” which is out on the 27th of February. It can be streamed following this link:

https://orcd.co/oak-shimmer

About “Shimmer”, the band has this to say:

Those who have listened to Oak’s previous releases will probably notice the clear nods, both harmonically and lyrically, to “Stars Under Water” from the album “Lighthouse”. 
The themes of conformity and condemnation are treated in a gloomy soundscape that can send the mind to dark film music. Both harmonically and lyrically, “Shimmer” builds a bridge from the band’s first release to the latest, before towards the end you are led into a suggestive, ostinato-like coda that gives room to process and to move on both concretely and metaphorically.

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/artists/oak/kar288-oak-the-third-sleep/

https://oakinoslo.bandcamp.com/album/the-third-sleep

https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com/pre-orders

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.


 

Review – Oak – The Quiet Rebellion Of Compromise

Oak is a Norwegian progressive pop/rock band that originally emerged from a folk-rock duo. The four members have a diverse background spanning from classical piano to electronica, prog- and hard-rock, with references to the alternative scene as well as progressive rock – something that has combined to make a distinguished and unique sound.

OAK originated as a folk-rock duo, which expanded into today’s lineup of Simen Valldal Johannessen on vocals, piano and keys, Øystein Sootholtet on bass, acoustic and electric guitars, Sigbjørn Reiakvam on drums, percussion, programming, keys and guitars, and Stephan Hvinden on lead, rhythm and slide guitars. 
 

Musically, ‘The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise’ is the most dynamic Oak album so far, with a wide range of influences showing through. We’re still in very familiar Oak territory, but with some sharper edges and some surprising twists and turns. After their previous album ‘False Memory Archive’, the band set out to write some shorter songs for a change – and ended up with their longest songs yet. As on their other albums, there are subtle hints to both past and future songs in the Oak universe.
 
For this album, the band decided to write about an important and touchy subject – Suicide and psychic health in general. Music as an art form can be very open for interpretation, so to be sure that the message comes across, they’ve asked for advice from experienced scholars on the subject. The font used on the album cover is partially made of handwriting from two real suicide notes, to underline the concept.

There’s a deep underlying wistfulness and melancholy to this third album from the band and that’s entirely understandable considering the subject matter. Thoughtful and engrossing, the music is meaningful and contemplative and the lyrics are insightful and hard hitting.

When music is used as a relayer of a serious and often unsettling subject, it can add even more meaning, observation and perception and when that music is as brilliant as it is on a piece of work as exceptional as this, it really does bring home what the band are trying to get across. At times wide screen and cinematic and at others, minimalistic and sparse, ‘The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise’ is a musical masterpiece in inception and delivery.

This is a near perfect collection of songs where every track is a a complete work of art, from the hard-hitting opening trio of the dynamic Highest Tower, Deepest Well, the sparse, plaintive and melancholic Quiet Rebellion and the grandiose, compelling and potent Dreamless Sleep to the epic splendour and pomp of my personal favourite Paperwings, this is an intense and profound emotional journey.

Add in Sunday 8 AM, a beautifully judged near six minutes of music that sees vocalist Simen Valldal Johannessen at his most touching and emotive and the harder edged rock of the charismatic Demagogue Communion and this is a thoughtful, often melancholy, delight of an album and, when you come to the wishful and reflective whimsy of album closer Guest of Honour, it is almost like saying goodbye to a close friend with whom you have had a life changing experience.

Oak have a unique, innovative sound and you can hear it mature and transform on every album they release. Their approach to music is refreshing and sees them deliver meaningful music that has heart and soul and, with ‘The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise’, these talented musicians have created their most accomplished and consummate work yet.

Released 11th November, 2022.

Order the album here:

The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise | Oak (bandcamp.com)


KARISMA RECORDS REVEALS DETAILS AND SINGLE FROM UPCOMING OAK ALBUM.

Karisma Records has announced that the 11th November will be the release date for the third full-length album from Norway’s Progressive Pop/Rockers OAK. Titled “The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise”, it is an album in which the band has decided to write about the important, but controversial , subjects of suicide in particular and mental health in general.

Knowing that music as an art form is very open to interpretation, and knowing how emotive the subject matter is, OAK wanted to be sure that the message comes across clearly, and consequently sought advice from experienced scholars on the matter. 

And, with the release of the single “Dreamless Sleep”,  Karisma Records has given us a first taste from “The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise”.  It can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at:

Dreamless Sleep by Oak (karismarecords.no)

OAK originated as a folk-rock duo, which expanded into today’s lineup of Simen Valldal Johannessen on vocals, piano and keys, Øystein Sootholtet on bass, acoustic and electric guitars, Sigbjørn Reiakvam on drums, percussion, programming, keys and guitars, and Stephan Hvinden on lead, rhythm and slide 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.

Musically, OAK’s upcoming “The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise” is the band’s most dynamic album yet, demonstrating a wide range of influences. There are some sharper edges, and some surprising  twists and turns to be found amongst the familiar Oak territory. Interestingly, after the release of their previous album “False Memory Archive”, the band set out to write some shorter songs for a change – and ended up with their longest songs yet!

“The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise” was recorded in Ljugekroken and was mixed at the Ghostward Studio by David Castillo (KATATONIA, LEPROUS OPETH, etc.). It was mastered by Tony Lindgren at the Fascination Street Studio, and, as with their other albums, “The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise” offers subtle hints to both past and future songs in the Oak universe.

Tracklisting on “The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise” is as follows: 

1. Highest Tower, Deepest Well

2. Quiet Rebellion

3. Dreamless Sleep

4. Sunday 8 AM

5. Demagogue Communion

6. Paperwings

7. Guest of Honour

“The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise” will be available in CD, Digital and Limited Edition white vinyl formats, and can now  be pre-ordered from:

The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise | Oak (bandcamp.com)

Shop | Karisma Records

The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise by Oak (karismarecords.no)

Review – Oak – False Memory Archive – by Progradar

“Music is probably the only real magic I have encountered in my life. There’s not some trick involved with it. It’s pure and it’s real. It moves, it heals, it communicates and does all these incredible things.”

A poignant quote from the great Tom Petty and one that surely rings true in today’s troubled times. I love the surprise of hearing new music that moves you and takes you to a better place, there truly is nothing better.

Featuring members of both Airbag and the Björn Riis touring bands, Oak is a Norwegian progressive pop/rock band that originally emerged from a folk-rock duo. The four members have a diverse background spanning from classical piano to electronica, prog- and hard-rock, with references to the alternative scene as well as progressive rock – something that has combined to make a distinguished and unique sound. Mixing this with great musical skills and a vision of being accessible to a wide audience resulted in their debut album ‘Lighthouse’ in 2013.

Five years later, they are back with the stunning follow-up ‘False Memory Archive’. A natural continuation from ‘Lighthouse’, to which it has several small nods and references. The album has been meticulously crafted, with more use of electronics and low bass frequencies. It is both darker and groovier than its predecessor, while still sounding familiarly like Oak.

The promo arrived, unassumingly, in my inbox a few weeks ago and it was only because the band’s name triggered some sought of recognition in my mind that I decided to give it an immediate listen.

‘False Memory Archive’ is an incredibly engrossing and memorable listening experience. The opening track We, The Drowned immediately draws you into their dark but satisfying musical world. Simen Valldal Johannessen’s heartfelt vocals drip empathy and pathos and the band’s music just bleeds emotion, I was hooked from the first note.

The album has a feel of the more melancholy side of progressive and alternative music and will inevitably draw comparisons with the likes of Steven Wilson and The Pineapple Thief but these impressive musicians can stand their own ground as can be seen on the wistfully sombre but utterly graceful Clare De Lune. The album is really beginning to strike a chord with me, a wonderfully affectional musical journey that touches your heart an soul.

The darker progressive feel of title track False Memory Archive is countered by the uplifting harmony of the elegant chorus then the sparse, hauntingly pensive Lost Causes just leaves you open mouthed and slack jawed in appreciation with its powerful and yet stark message. It’s an utterly magical piece of music that cements just how good this band truly is.

The delightfully playful classical interlude of Intermezzo is grace and class personified and works like a musical amuse-bouche before the tension is cranked up by the mesmerising dark delights of The Lights, a captivating ten minutes plus of cat and mouse where light and shade intertwine and leave the hairs on the back of your neck rising.

The highs just keep coming, These Are The Stars We’re Aiming For pulsates with energy punctuated by sincere passion and fervor, Transparent Eyes is a plaintive contemplative track that almost rests a comfort blanket over your emotional state and the closing track, Psalm 51, is achingly beautiful, an ethereal joy, a song of longing and of love that brings a tear to your eye and yet joy to your heart.

I have loved music for many years, it has been with me through the highs and the lows  and my life would not be complete without it. My life is now also complete with this incredible album from Oak. Albums like ‘False Memory Archive’ are the reason that music was created in the first place, they bring peace to your soul and joy and love to your heart and the world is a better place for them. I cannot give any higher praise than that.

Released 19th October 2018

Order from bandcamp here (I’ve ordered the vinyl)