Scandinavia is certainly one of the leading exponents of modern Progressive Rock sounds, and Airbag have been at the top of the scene for decades. The sixth full-length “The Century Of The Self” was released on June 16, 2024 via Karisma Records and contains five full-length tracks ranging from over 6 to 15 minutes in length. The opener “Dysphoria” with fine guitar and bass interlacing slowly immerses and envelops us in the album’s sounds, enriched by initially delicate drumming and a warm, expressive vocal. The tempo changes are an added value to the sound, showing how the band always manages to create refined textures while keeping the listener involved. Well-constructed and engaging riffs and melodies, the structure that manages to vary by exploiting the long duration of over 10 minutes to develop the theme of the song, and instrumental sections that enhance the band’s technique both in composition and performance. The track ends with a fine solo by Riis and his unmistakable style. An hypnotic and penetrating bass line characterises the structure of “Tyrants and Kings,” where the band’s more Classic Rock connotations are brought to the fore. A track that manages to mix a retro touch with a modern style with a good malgamy between guitar and keyboards. Both the musical crescendo and the guitar solo cues are interesting, taking the sound to another level. “Awakening” is the shortest track in duration, still exceeding six minutes, and is also the softest, characterised by an acoustic guitar sound and a soft vocal. It is a track that enhances the songwriting, while including intense and emotional instrumental sections, and interesting solo guitar cues in the second half. A killer bassline opens “Erase,” returning to harder sounds and darker atmospheres, with faster drumming and a refined use of effects. An incisive and rough track in the first part, then giving way to a more experimental section towards the middle. With a change and increase in intensity, the guitar offers a solo insert that accompanies us to the finale. The tracklist concludes with the epic “Tear it Down,” lasting exactly 15 minutes. Ethereal and dilated sounds characterise the first part of the track, with a background of keyboards and a pathos-laden vocal, which is then enriched by tempo changes and increased intensity. An exquisite alternation of instrumental and sung sections, which show the stylistic evolution of the band, always adept at enriching their sound. A deep track, very intense and with ideas and passages of absolute level, exploring the different facets that characterise the style of this band. Often compared to the sounds of Pink Floyd, Airbag succeed in this album to prove once again that they have managed to break away from that comparison and have their own style. Difficult in 2024 to create original and innovative music, they have succeeded with this sixth album, offering five long tracks full of cues and sophisticated passages that enhance their characteristics. An album of a high standard, both in terms of composition and performance, absolutely recommended to all lovers of this band and the Scandinavian sounds of Progressive Rock, of which Airbag is one of the main protagonists.
Tracklist
01. Dysphoria (10:38)
02. Tyrants and Kings (06:47)
03. Awakening (06:44)
04. Erase (07:50)
05. Tear it Down (15:00)
Lineup
Bjørn Riis / Guitars
Asle Tostrup / Vocals
Henrik Fossum / Drums
With:
Kristian Hultgren / Bass
Ole Michael Bjørndal / Guitar
Simen Valldal Johannessen / Keyboards
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