review

The endless expanses of dystopia made into music serve Reason: Oslo as a playground for the approaching catastrophe. The Swedish-Norwegian band, originally formed as a duo regarding a decade ago, understands instrumental Kargland, which takes conventional post rock further in the direction of psych and kraut. Exactly these raw, dreamy and at the same time oppressive to depressive qualities characterize their latest album „In Irons“ out of.

Five mostly vaguely outlined tracks grope their way through emotional depths with growing enthusiasm. “068 The Swell” – the numbering is mandatory in Orsak:Oslo – starts out ominously, seems to consist exclusively of feedback loops at first and only grows very, very slowly. At the latest when the dynamic bass line starts, some life returns, but the regular emotional outburst for post-rock areas is missing. Yes, it gets a bit louder and more distorted in between, but the quintet’s primary concern is to get the most out of their reduced leitmotif. The dense, charged atmosphere thanks them.

A two-parter, “079 Dutchman’s Wake (Part I)” and “078 The Mute (Part II)” first attempts some life before drone-esque sounds beg for release. The sandwiched “069 In What Way Are You Different” with its vocal samples staggers through charged, herbaceous post rock, swells menacingly and reveals a penchant for destruction. It all comes together in the final “074 Hadal Blue”. Would 17 minutes have been really necessary for this idea? Perhaps not, and yet one inevitably feels drawn into this powerful maelstrom. Once past the overly long, mind-blowing structure, it becomes artistic and spectacular.

Nothing is run-of-the-mill or even run-of-the-mill, even if very little is happening at first glance. “In Irons” is one of those records that you have to commit to. Once you let yourself go, everything is in vain, because what Orsak:Oslo construct here in all leisurely atmosphere commands respect and enchants at the same time. 42 driving, captivating minutes once once more burst post-rock boundaries with overwhelming ease.

Rating: 8/10

Available from: 04/27/2023
Available through: Vinter Records (Bertus)

Website: www.orsakoslo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/orsakoslo

Tags: in irons, instrumental rock, krautrock, cause oslo, post rock, psychedelic rock, review

Category: Magazin, Reviews

About ten years ago Margus Voolpriit called his solo project Wolfredt into life. Two solo albums focused on progressive, all-instrumental post-rock… and yet the Estonian found that more input might mean more ideas and melodies. That’s how it became a complete band, which released a powerful, intense concept work with the dark “Tides”. Since then, even more gloom has set in, not least due to deep cuts and heavy losses. „IIII“ develops the now familiar sound further and dares to use significantly more depth.

“Terra Nullius” impressively demonstrates how far the quartet has now come. For nine minutes they skilfully play with limits and expectations, including a high addiction factor. The emphatically long, detailed structure thrives on precision and feeling, first layer following layer before a first caesura leads on the wrong track. Unexpected heaviness and almost monstrous distortion as well as exceptionally used vocals – screams of pure despair – drive the mood to the proverbial boiling point. In the last few minutes, Wolfredt surprise with groove on the way to the inevitable collapse.

But it can also be quite different, as the first half of “The Original Android” proves. Calm, meandering sound spheres strive for soundtrack atmosphere, even a little ambient flair mixes in. Towards the end the action goes through the roof once once more, angry and yet so sweet. On the other hand, the video release “Under The Spell” strives for more urgency. There is no big preliminary banter, a kind of leitmotif crystallizes relatively quickly and takes over the reins. Even a short breath in the middle doesn’t detract from the intensive presentation.

“IIII” challenges in the best sense of the word without overwhelming, because Wolfredt combine the familiar with a fresh breeze. Of course, the fourth work of the Estonians – the second as a band – is to be understood in the classic post-rock tradition and plays with classic, established elements. At the same time, the prog approach cannot be dismissed out of hand, paired with more groove, crushing heaviness and even occasional screams. Wolfredt dare a lot and thus land a complete success – exciting evolution with charm and aspiration.

Rating: 8/10

Available from: 04/28/2023
Available from: Moment of Collapse Records (Broken Silence)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Wolfredt

Tags: iiii, post rock, review, wolfredt

Category: Magazin, Reviews