Norwegian Art Rock trio Dim Gray have released their new album “Firmament,” today and play a UK launch show for it tonight as the special guests of Big Big Train. They have also made a video available for a song from the record entitled “Cannons.” Written around its central guitar motif, they describe the track as: “having a melancholy vibe that we found interesting. We experimented with mandolins, strings and percussion as we tried to expand its sound while maintaining the feel. The lyric is about being trapped in a state of limbo and awaiting an escape from the ordinary.”
Watch the official video for “Cannons” through the YouTube player below:
Following a set of lyric videos for three songs already made available from “Firmament,” the group hooked up with award-winning photographer Anne-Marie Forker to shoot what is their first ever fully realised music video. Explaining the conceptual black and white clip, they state that: “Mats Svalebjørg is one of Norway’s best magicians and was eager to join us, becoming an essential part of the process. Being brand new to videos, we figured that this was the perfect opportunity for us to tell a story that was playful and funny, while still capturing the essence of the song.“
Presenting twelve vivid, direct and melody-driven songs, “Firmament” is bursting with life and colour and leads listeners through an intricate recipe of lush Electronics, strings-infused Chamber Pop, evocative Indie-Folk and grandiose Art Rock. Lyric videos for the three singles already released from it can be seen here:
“Ashes“: youtu.be/XuAziZFxZRw
“Avalon|The Tide“: youtu.be/yrQ2ubX77so
“Mare“: youtu.be/qqpDq9LlMB0
Dim Gray is comprised of guitarist Håkon Høiberg, singer/keyboardist Oskar Holldorff and drummer Tom Ian Klungland. The trio hail from different places, both musically and geographically. However, upon moving to Oslo a decade ago to study, all three found each other and a bond of music and friendship was formed. They soon began writing and playing together.
All three members have contrasting musical backgrounds in genres as diverse as Black Metal, Rock, Blues, Folk and Film Music, but the fusion of all these influences has created their own distinctive sound.
During the global pandemic of 2020, the band had used their time to issue several singles prior to the digital release of their debut album “Flown,” a concept work that intertwined song narratives to deliver a continuous story relating a vivid tale of loss and loneliness so relevant to that time. Offering beautifully quiet, intimate moments offset by huge, colourful soundscapes, with twists and turns along the way, it was subsequently released on 2xLP and CD formats in 2021, receiving rave reviews.
ON TOUR WITH BIG BIG TRAIN
SEPTEMBER 2022
02.09.22 AYLESBURY (UK) Waterside Theatre
05.09.22 ZOETERMEER (NL) Cultuurpodium Boerderij
06.09.22 BONN (DE) Harmonie
07.09.22 MAINZ (DE) Kuz
08.09.22 BERLIN (DE) Frannz Club
10.09.22 BASEL (CH) Z7, Pratteln
11.09.22 PARIS (FR) Café de la Danse
“Firmament” will be available on CD, LP (via Plane Groovy) and all digital services, with the physical formats available to pre-order now via Burning Shed.
The trio who comprise Dim Gray come from different places, both musically and geographically, with each member moving from different parts of Norway to Oslo a decade ago to study. All three have contrasting backgrounds in genres as diverse as Black Metal, Progressive Rock, Blues, Folk and film music, but in fusing these together they have developed their own distinctive sound.
CD / LP pre-order here: burningshed.com/store/english-electric-recordings
Pre-order the album here:
Tracklist:
1 Mare
2 Ashes
3 Undertow
4 Avalon | The Tide
5 52~
6 Abalus | In Time
7 Long Ago
8 My Barren Road
9 Cannons
10 Iron Henry
11 Firmament
12 Meridian
Lineup:
Oskar Holldorff / Vocals, Keyboards
Håkon Høiberg / Guitars, Vocals
Tom Ian Klungland / Drums, Vocals