In August and September 2023, Norwegian Rock quintet Dim Gray undertook their first extensive tour of the UK and Europe, playing 15 dates across nine countries with Big Big Train. The band recorded each show and have picked out a selection of songs and performances that will form a live digital EP to be released in the autumn.
The EP will contain live versions of songs from both Dim Gray albums to date, as well as their recent single, “Murals.” Each performance was recorded by front of house engineer Rob Aubrey at shows in England, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Norway and mixed by him to create a document that captures the band’s live sound in authentic fashion.
The latest track to be issued from it is “52~,” the original version of which can be found on the band’s second album, “Firmament” (2022). Vocalist/keyboardist Oskar Holldorff explains that “’52~’ is a lockdown song. I started writing it just as the world had closed down and we were all having to get accustomed to living inside our own bubbles with minimal real contact with other people. The song is about hiding – from the outside world, or from a memory or a feeling – seeking a temporary refuge from reality. Submerged in a lonely ocean, lulling oneself into a state of calm while above the surface everything is coming apart. The title refers to the 52-hertz whale, which is thought of as one of the world’s loneliest animals since it communicates at a frequency too high for other whales to register. I think writing it was a subconscious attempt for me to cope with the pandemic. To play this song live, with my friends in front of a very real audience, meant a lot to me.”
This live version of the song was recorded in Stuttgart on 8th September 2023.
Stream “52~” through the Spotify player below:
Purcahse and Stream the track HERE
“52~” follows the late June release of “The Wave We Thought We’d Ride Forever” STREAM | VIDEO, followed by ‘Ashes’ a month later STREAM.
Dim Gray was formed in Oslo by the original core trio of Oskar Holldorff (keyboards, vocals), Håkon Høiberg (guitar, vocals) and Tom Ian Klungland (drums), issuing debut album “Flown” in 2020 to rave reviews. Subsequently signing to English Electric Recordings, they released “Firmament” in 2022 to similar acclaim. The group have promoted both records in both the UK and mainland Europe via guest slots with Marillion as well as Big Big Train. Milad Amouzegar (guitar, keyboards) and Kristian Kvaksrud (bass) joined as permanent group members in 2023.
Lineup:
Oskar Holldorff / Keyboards, Vocals
Håkon Høiberg / Guitar, Vocals
Milad Amouzegar / Guitar, Keyboards
Kristian Kvaksrud / Bass
Tom Ian Klungland / Drums, Vocals
