Fans of Atmospheric Prog Rock will have something to look forward to on the 3rd of May, because that’s the date that Karisma Records will release “A Storm is Coming”, the latest album from BJORN RIIS, also known as the co-founder, songwriter and lead guitarist of Norwegian Prog Rockers AIRBAG.
And, as a taster of what’s to come, Karisma have today released “Icarus”, a single of a track from the album, and about which Riis had this to say:
“Icarus”is based on a chord progression that I had lying around, and which seemed to fit the more stripped down, rock production that I had in mind for the new album. The title refers to the old Greek tale about Icarus flying too close to the sun and getting burned. This hubris is translated to a relationship between two people where one is constantly being burned for trying too much.
I’m very proud of the vocals on this one and I think we managed to create a sound that’s, at least for me, a bit different to what I’ve done on previous albums. “Icarus” features Henrik Bergan Fossum (AIRBAG) on drums and Kristian Hultgren (WOBBLER) on bass.
“Icarus” can be streamed or downloaded at the following:
https://orcd.co/icarus
A follow up to 2017’s critically acclaimed “Coming Home” MLP, “A Storm is Coming” will be the third full-length album from Riis, and promises to be heavier, but at the same time more tender, than his previous releases. It is formed of six epic songs, clocking in at 51 minutes, and is built around the central themes of human relations and loss, written as a dialogue between two people.
Recorded at the Subsonic Society in Oslo, and majestically combining the art of rock, prog and atmospheric pop, “A Storm is Coming” was mixed by long-time collaborator Vegard Kleftås Sleipnes, and mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo (WHITE WILLOW, THE OPIUM CARTEL).
In addition to Bjørn Riis on vocals, guitars and a wide variety of instruments, the album features performances by Henrik Bergan Fossum (AIRBAG) on drums, Simen Valldal Johannessen (OAK) on keys, Ole Michael Bjørndal on guitar, and Mimmi Tamba on guest vocals.
With artwork by Asle Tostrup, tracklisting on “A Storm is Coming” is as follows:
1 When Rain Falls
2. Icarus
3. You And Me
4. Stormwatch
5. This House
6. Epilogue
“A Storm is Coming” will be available in Digisleeve CD, Digital, and two different vinyl formats, which include a limited edition, one-time-only pressing on marble vinyl with an alternative portrait album cover, and a standard black vinyl version. All formats are now available to pre-order from the following:
All formats: https://bjornriis.bandcamp.com
CD & Vinyl: https://www.karismarecords.no/artists/bjorn-riis/
US Webshop: https://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/
BJORN RIIS’ next live appearance will be on the 17 May at the three-day Terra Incognita Festival in Quebec, Canada, where fellow Karisma Records label-mates AIRBAG and OAK are also scheduled to perform.
More information about BJØRN RIIS can be found on the guitarist’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BjornRiisMusician/ and on his website at http://www.bjornriis.com.
Those interested in guitar tutorials and equipment related matters may like to check out Bjorn’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6JRXuFfSeZ1AzenPh_krpA
A video by Kjetil Karlsen for the track “Where Are You Now” from Bjørn Riis’s album ‘Forever Comes to an End’ can be seen at https://youtu.be/cuGTuNKKgso
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Band contact: bjorn@airbag.no
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BjornRiisMusician/
Website: http://www.bjornriis.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjornriis/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6JRXuFfSeZ1AzenPh_krpA
Bandcamp: https://bjornriis.bandcamp.com
Promo and other information: post@karismarecords.no
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucyinblue/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0bdyvIoOnl9swUeOCi1Afw
Bandcamp: https://lucyinblue.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucyinblueofficial/
Band contact and booking: lucyinblueband@gmail.com
Karisma Records BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/music
Karisma Records on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarismaRecords
Karisma Records on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karismarecords/
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor
Karisma on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop: http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/