- -- Release information ----------------------------------------------- -- -
Artist : Tusm°rke
Album : Underjordisk Tusm°rke
Genre : Progressive Rock
Year : 2012
Label : Termo
Cat# : TERMOCD011
Source : CDDA
Bitrate : 243Kbps
Size : 115,43 MB
Runtime : 67:36 min
URL : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tusm%C3%B8rke/100833236668197
- -- Tracklist -------------------------------------------------------- -- -
01. Fimbul 06:26
02. Watching The Moon Sail Out Of The East 07:53
03. The Quintessence Of Elements 06:00
04. A Young Man And His Woman 04:56
05. A Nightmare's Just A Dream 07:37
06. H°stjevnd°gn 07:53
07. Salomonsens Hage (bonus) 05:03
08. Singers & Swallows (bonus) 04:20
09. Ode On Dawn (bonus) 17:28
- -- Release notes ---------------------------------------------------- -- -
"Underjordisk Tusm°rke" means "Subterranean Twilight" in
Norwegian. As such, it's no shocker that this is literally and
metaphorically underground music. The charm lies in the fact
that this isn't just underground by 2012's standards -- this
is underground by the standards of the late 1960s, when heavy
metal was being seeded in the soil of progressive rockers.
When ôpsychedelicö was not just used to describe a drug, but
also a fashion sense, a philosophy, and an experience of
general euphoria, bands like The Moody Blues, The Beatles,
Blue Cheer, and the like were bubbling up from the proverbial
primordial soup that was modern rock n' roll. The flute was
suddenly given a new home in the hands of rockers, mellotrons
were developed so that symphonic strings could be taken on the
road easier, and pop formulas were altogether scratched and
re-made. This is where the music of Tusm°rke lies, an
anachronism in the 21st century.
In composition, delivery, and production, this debut album
defies its time period by utilizing vintage recording
equipment and an adventurous synthesizer-and-bass-focused
approach, bolstered by the mixing and backing keys of Lars
Fredrik Fr°islie (White Willow.) The first track, "Fimbul,"
nodding to the Fimbulwinter (a harsh winter before the end of
the world) of Norse legend, rolls in at full jangly speed with
bass, flute, drums, vocals, a Rhodes piano, and mellotron with
no guitar needed. The bass is a very present character in the
mix, alongside vocals that are hard-panned left and right for
an intensely Moody Blues circa "In Search of the Lost Chord"
feel.
Comparisons to Otyg and Vintersorg's lighter recordings will
undoubtedly be made, due to the substantial folk element that
rears its head on songs like "Watching The Moon Sail out of
The East," "Hostjevndogn," and "Salomonsens Hage." Thankfully,
those that jumped off of the Opeth train when "Heritage" hit,
for the reason that it felt like an awkward medium between
vintage prog and metal and decidedly not good, have the option
of riding the Tusm°rke train in the meantime for legitimate
pure folk-prog thrills. "A Young Man and His Woman" and "The
Quintessence of Elements" both pack a punch, the latter with a
punk attitude and the former with a B3 organ-heavy roll.
The bonus tracks are fine additions to the 42-minute-long
album proper, although "Ode On Dawn" drags on and on with jam
bits and vocal lines that don't necessarily work to move the
song forward. "Salomonsens Hage" even features a very
"Godzilla"-like riff driving the song, along with goofy
maniacal laughter. The album is certainly meant for fans of a
certain persuasion, and only serious adventurers need to take
the Tusm°rke trip. Those that do take it will no doubt
experience a pleasant high.
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