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██▌ Artist...: Airbag ░▐██▌
░▐██ Album....: The Century of the Self ░██▌░
▓▐██ Year.....: 2024 ▓▐██▓
▓▐██ Rel. Date: 2024-12-19 ░▐██▓
▐██ Genre....: Progressive Rock ██▌░
░ ██▌ Label....: Karisma Records ██▌
▐██ Source...: CD ▐██
░▐██▌ Type.....: Retail ▐██▌░
▓▄████ Quality..: VBR, 44.1kHz, Joint Stereo ████▌░
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1. Dysphoria 10:38
2. Tyrants and Kings 6:47
3. Awakening 6:44
4. Erase 7:50
5. Tear it Down 15:00
46:59
ôPrepare to embark on an auditory journey like no other as Norwegian
prog-rock maestros Airbag unleash their highly anticipated sixth studio
album, æThe Century Of The SelfÆ. Showcasing their trademark fusion of
mellow introspection and dynamic energy, from the mesmerising depths of
Dysphoria to the haunting crescendo of Tyrants And Kings, each track
captivates with irresistible vocal hooks and virtuosic lead guitar work
that has become synonymous with the Airbag sound.ö
Let me first put in a disclaimer before you read this review, I am a
huge fan of Airbag and Bj°rn Riisæ solo work but I will be as objective
as I can throughout.
Right, now weÆve got that out of the way, let us beginà
æThe Century of the SelfÆ is an album that stands as a testament to the
artistic vision and enduring creativity that Airbag bring to their
music. Touching on themes such as cancel culture and the rewriting of
personal histories, it is a reflection on modern societyÆs zeitgeist,
and a poignant commentary of todayÆs world, which is steeped in fear and
condemnation.
Those words really got me excited when I read the promo email that came
from the bandÆs label, Karisma. I have been an admirer of the lush
soundscapes created by this wonderful band since I first heard their
debut album, æIdentityÆ, back in 2009 and they have matured like a fine
wine ever since. Their discography of five studio albums prior to this
latest release has some absolute gems like æAll Rights RemovedÆ and
æDisconnectedÆ but every Airbag release is a superb auditory experience.
LetÆs cut to the chase, æCentury of the SelfÆ is another brilliant album
but one that maybe has a more edgier, in your face attitude than the
earlier releases. Through its five tracks we go through the whole gammut
of powerful, hypnotic bass lines, powerful riffs and thunderous drumming
to a lightness of touch and contemplation and everything in between. It
is as complete a listening experience as you will get and will excite
Airbag fans both old and new.
The slow burning, edgy Dysphoria will keep you on edge with Bj°rn Riisæ
coruscating guitar lines and Kristian HultgrenÆs superbly metronomic
bass lines. Add in the elegant drums of Henrik Bergan Fossum and Asle
TostrupÆs hypnotic vocals and we are already onto a winner, this is
Airbag turned up to eleven! A standout track on a album of killer tunes,
the wonderful Tyrants and Kings ebbs and flows with an elegance and
precision that is a joy to hear. RiisÆ guitar playing, ably assisted by
Ole Michael Bj°rndal, is as intense and scintillating as ever and
literally stops you in your tracks and TostrupÆs haunting vocal delivery
is just a delight. This is Airbag at their magnificent best and itÆs a
pleasure to hear them delivering songs of such calibre, even after
fifteen years together. This is music that you need to listen to with no
distractions to get the best from every note and the solo at the end is
just about damn perfect! I spoke about a lightness of touch and
contemplation earlier and that is what you get on the wistfully refined
Awakening, a song that just dances lightly over your emotions and leaves
a feeling of calmness and joy in your heart. Asle Tostrup delivers a
near perfect vocal performance full of pathos, passion and poignancy,
ôWake up and feel againàö a line that says so much. The guitar is
ethereal and contemplative, breaking out into a plaintive and ardent
solo that really touches your heartstrings. ItÆs just an exquisite and
uplifting piece of music that will really leave its mark on you.
Things get a lot more primeval and edgy with Erase, the stylishly
mesmerising bass line and TostrupÆs vocals spellbinding in their
delivery and grabbing your attention. The restless, tense atmosphere is
created by the terse drum beat and cacophonic guitar riff before the
mood gets even more chaotic when Riis opens up with some dissonant and
jarring licks and another superb solo that raises the roof. The album
closes with the epic conclusion of Tear It Down, fourteen minutes of
music that goes from serene introspective self-reflection to some of the
most forceful and compelling music that the band have ever written. The
track opens with a mellow, reflective vibe that sees synth lines and a
ghostly guitar just wash over you, AsleÆs voice a soothing presence
along with the refined drum beat. Everything then opens up with dynamic
and vibrant section that almost raises the hairs on your neck before we
return back to the calm serenity of before, the track ebbing and flowing
between the two in perfect harmony. A special shout out must be given to
Simen Valldal Johannessen whose keyboards on this song are exceptional
but you just need to let the music do its work and immerse yourself in
the experience, the guitar solo that closes out the track, and the
album, is particularly memorable
æCentury of the SelfÆ is a mesmerising and involving odyssey that
elevates you to a musical nirvana that not many artists can create.
Airbag are one of those bands that just seem to get better with age and
this new release just might be their best album yet, and thatÆs saying
something!
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