Progressive Rock may rarely grace the mainstream spotlight, but its devoted global community continues to thrive, and few bands embody that spirit better than Airbag. Since their first demo, “Safetree” (2007), and first full-length album, “Identity” (2009), the Norwegian quintet has steadily built a worldwide following with their Cinematic Soundscapes, soaring melodies, and timeless songwriting.
Now, 16 years and six studio albums later, Airbag returns with their first official live album, captured during a powerful performance at Poppodium Boerderij in Zoetermeer, The Netherlands in 2024. Entitled “Dysphoria,” this double CD / double vinyl will be released on November 21, 2025 and showcases the band at their best, raw, immersive, and sonically stunning. The recordings have been meticulously mixed to preserve the atmosphere and authenticity of the live shows.
The second taste from “Dysphoria” is the live version of the song “Redemption,” and this is what Airbag says about it:
Redemption has been a staple in our live set since it was released on “The Greatest Show on Earth” over a decade ago. The song very much defines us as a band and our sound. It’s always great fun to play live too, with the thunderous bass intro that gets the crowd going and the huge, powerful chorus. This live version is a more stripped down compared to the album version, which really reveal the power of this song.
The live version of “Redemption” can be heard here: https://orcd.co/airbag-redemption-live
A video from the gig was also recorded and can be seen here:
Bjørn Riis explains why Airbag is doing a live album now:
Having grown up listening to all the classic live albums, it’s really something special to have recorded one of our own. Our fans have been asking for a live album for years, so this is really all for them and it was an easy decision to record at Poppodium Boerderij in Zoetermeer, The Netherlands. We played our first international show there back in 2010 and we’ve returned so many times that it’s really become a home away from home for the band. Airbag live is a bombardment of the senses, with intense sound, lights and projected film. Together with our long-time collaborator and engineer, Vegard Kleftås Sleipnes, we wanted to capture the full experience of seeing and hearing us live on stage. We’re incredibly pleased and proud of the result. This is very much a testament to the current band and line-up.
With artwork by Asle Tostrup, and featuring Øystein Sootholtet on bass and Simen Valldal Johannessen on keyboards, track listing on “Dysphoria” is as follows:
01. Dysphoria (Live)
02. Tyrants and Kings (Live)
03. Awakening (Live)
04. Erase (Live)
05. Tear it Down (Live)
06. Machines and Men (Live)
07. Redemption (Live)
08. Never Coming Home (Live)
09. Homesick (Live)
For collectors, the vinyl edition is a must-have: A deluxe gatefold cover with an exclusive booklet and a limited first pressing on white / blue marbled vinyl, a beautiful piece for fans and audiophiles alike.
It is now available to Pre-Order here:
Bandcamp: https://airbagsound.bandcamp.com
Webshop: https://shop.karismarecords.no/collections/airbag
Catch Airbag live in 2025 here:
22.11 – Cosmopolite, Oslo, Norway
04.12 – Neunkirchen, Germany
05.12 – Zwolle, The Netherlands
06.12 – Paris, France