Tusmørke are one of the most interesting band on the Norwegian scene, offering a blend of classic Progressive Rock steeped in Scandinavian Folk Rock. The new album “Dawn Of Oberon” was released on August 30, 2024 via Karisma Records and contains six tracks including the epic title-track over 17 minutes long. The band opens with the album’s title suite “Dawn of Oberon,” an epic over 17 minutes long that immediately immerses us in the band’s sound. The mixture of quality Progressive Rock and Nordic Folk characterises the track, with fine interlacing of guitars, flute and keyboards. The rhythm section is elaborate and is enriched by continuous tempo changes that allow the intense instrumental textures to develop. The vocals, as always, are warm and expressive, adding pathos to the sound and alternating with the extended instrumental sections. Tracks such as these stand up to the disc on their own, enhancing the compositional and performing technique of the band, skilful in exploiting the entire duration to develop the theme of the piece, bringing the atmospheres of the 70s into a modern and markedly personal context. In my humble opinion, this long epic is a masterpiece of modern Progressive Rock, to be listened to and re-listened to many times, always offering refined cues and passages. An intricate rhythm section and interweaving keyboards and flute open “Born To Be Mild,” the album’s shortest track. The vocals come in with choral parts, leaving the track almost entirely instrumental, a short but intense passage that combines Folk Rock traits with elaborate passages. “Dwarven Lord” is characterised by melancholic melodies and vocals, with that imprint that characterises Northern European artists. The textures are elaborate, with the intensity increasing as the song progresses, alternating sung passages with intense and refined instrumental sections. The flute and keyboards intertwine in continuous phrasing, concluding in a musical crescendo in the second half. A deep, load-bearing bass line opens “Midsommernattsdrøm,” another long track, running over seven minutes. The drumming adds a Jazzy touch to the sound, with keyboards and flute leading the melodies and a vocal with traditional Norwegian folk traits. The keyboards take the stage in the first part with fine solo interventions, continuing in the second part with more symphonic openings and dreamy atmospheres. “People View” opens with bombastic keyboard melodies and a solid, elaborate rhythm section, inserting classical music references into the track. Pastoral flute inserts fit into this jubilation of keyboards, intertwining and duetting throughout the song. The closing track “Troll Male” explores the more Folk Prog side of the band’s sound, with engaging choral refrains. The structure is very elaborate, dynamic, thanks to a constantly evolving rhythm section and a series of tempo changes. Interesting are the trumetal prologues that enhance the band’s compositional and performing technique, exploiting the wide range of sounds and keyboards at their disposal. A band that confirms itself as one of the most interesting on the modern music scene, offering another intense album full of quality ideas. The epic title track is the centrepiece of the album, to which are added five quality tracks that collectively explore all facets of the band’s sound. The blend of Nordic Folk Rock and Progressive Rock is well accomplished, alternating intense instrumental sections with flute and keyboard protagonsite with engaging, warm and expressive vocals. The rhythm sections add value to the record with solid, elaborate drumming and deep, portentous bass lines. A recommended listen for all lovers of Prog sounds steeped in Folk and characteristic Scandinavian atmospheres, another excellent release for the band and Karisma Records.
Tracklist
01. Dawn Of Oberon (17:53)
02. Born To Be Mild (03:35)
03. Dwarven Lord (04:56)
04. Midsommernattsdrøm (07:58)
05. People View (03:44)
06. Troll Male (05:18)
Lineup
Benediktator / Bass, Vocals
Krizla / Flute, Vocals
Herjekongen / Keyboards
Kusken / Drums
