Tag: The Third Sleep

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.


 

New Release Round Up – Glass Hammer, IQ, Bjørn Riis, Oak

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:

https://glasshammer.com

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:

https://www.iq-hq.co.uk

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:

KAR294 Bjørn Riis – Fimbulvinter

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.