Danefae is a Danish band formed in 2019 that offers a modern Progressive Rock sound with forays into Metal. The second album, entitled “Trøst” was released on January 31, 2025 and contains 8 tracks ranging from 2 to over 12 minutes in length in which various guests participate. A delicate female vocal in Danish opens the album and the first track “Fuglekongen,” characterised by an atmospheric and melancholic background. Nordic atmospheres permeate the track and are evident from the very first notes, with the intensity increasing as the song flows and evolves, culminating in a Prog Folk with dreamy traits. The second part, more instrumental, incorporates heavier elements into the sound, offering a sprightly and elaborate Progressive Rock with modern traits. With the return of the intense vocals for the last verses, the track ends. The band continues to explore the fresher, more modern sounds of Prog with “Vætter,” featuring an incisive vocal and an elaborate structure full of continuous tempo changes. Cleverly the band combines the more complex textures and softer openings and interweaves them with heavier passages, enhancing the compositional and performing technique of the artists involved. “Natsværmer” opens with sweet piano notes and warm, expressive vocals, then with a change back to the band’s classic sounds. Fine guitar and keyboard work, a technical and constantly evolving rhythm section develop an intense theme with symphonic openings and more Heavy passages. In the second part, the band elaborates an intense instrumental, ending with a pathos-laden vocal. An intro with Progressive Metal traits characterises “Vandskabt,” an incisive and elaborate track that shows a heavier side to the band. The sounds are melancholic, with that Nordic touch that fits into a heavier soundscape, with melodic vocals providing the counterbalance. The instrumental development of the piece is very interesting, evolving the central theme of the album into a constant musical crescendo that engages the listener. Guitar arpeggios open the epic suite “P.S. Far er død,” over 12 minutes long. Delicate vocals accompany us through this pleasant and elaborate suite that explores the different facets that characterise the band’s sound. Here, too, the band offers Progressive Metal sounds, with excellent guitar and keyboard mixtures, a solid, elaborate rhythm section and incisive, dynamic vocals. A succession of emotions and quality ideas, with a fine solo insert in the final part. The title track “Trøst” is also the album’s best, two minutes with guitar arpeggios that gently accompany us towards the following one. “Blind” is an energetic track, with percussive drumming and heavy guitar riffs. A granitic and incisive Progressive Metal track with an excellent vocal test and a constantly evolving structure. The band brings out a more choral sound, enveloping in some passages, compact and incisive in others, an excellent track. The album ends with “Sang om Håb” a track that inserts traditional sounds in the intro and then develops into another solid Prog Rock and Metal piece. The vocals also add value here, as do the constant tempo changes and complex guitar and keyboard textures, taking the sound to another level. An album that confirms the good things heard previously from this band that offers a solid and mature sound. The tracklist is intense, rich and engaging from start to finish. A good listen for all lovers of new sounds of Prog with marked Heavy traits and Nordic atmospheres.
Tracklist
01. Fuglekongen (05:23)
02. Vætter (05:04)
03. Natsværmer (05:45)
04. Vandskabt (05:33)
05. P.S. Far er død (12:40)
06. Trøst (02:17)
07. Blind (04:43)
08. Sang om Håb (03:51)
Lineup
Anne Olesen / Vocals, Piano
Anders Mogensen / Guitar
Carl Emil Tofte Jensen / Bass
Jonas Agerskov / Drums
With:
Signe Laugesen / Vocals (2,4)
Andrea Hindkjær Andersen / Vocals (2,4)
Andreas Dahl-Blumenberg / Vocals (5)
Ole Olesen / Vocals (5)
Anders Øster / Keyboards (3)
read our Exclusive Interview with the band here: [Interview] Exclusive interview with Danish Progressive Metal band Danefae
