Om utgivelsen
From the first strum of the guitar to the final swell of the ensemble, Aggressive Hymns,
Energetic Ballads unfolds as a journey through contrasting forces — raw intensity and
lyrical beauty, drive and reflection. It is an album that thrives on dualities, always
searching for balance yet never shying away from extremes.
At Flerbruket, a serene retreat nestled an hour outside Oslo, four musicians gathered not
to polish perfection but to chase the energy of a live concert — the pulse of a band
breathing as one. What emerged is music that feels urgent yet spacious, unafraid of both
fire and fragility.
Composer Michael Aadal provides the foundation with his distinctive guitar writing and
playing, but it is the collective voice of the quartet that gives these pieces their vivid shape.
The arrangements grew naturally from the band’s interplay, each member infusing their
own instincts and personality into the music.
André Kassen’s saxophones bring both fire and tenderness, moving from bold
declamations to hushed lyricism. Audun Ramo’s bass anchors and propels, drawing deep
grooves while leaving room for resonance. Gunnar Sæter’s drumming is both muscular
and nuanced, shifting seamlessly between restless drive and delicate textures. And at the
heart, Michael’s guitars sketch melodic lines, harmonic landscapes, and rhythmic sparks
that bind it all together.
From the introspective and cinematic sounding Wall of Ground we enter the emotional and
reflective landscape of The Moon Doesn’t Care.
The playful Wichita Linedance has an almost danceable, steady pulse with a delightfully
strident sax solo. Absurdly Normal is calm, contemplative and gently soothing.
Brockenspekter is high-energy and hypnotically intense. Lakenskrekk (a fear of going to
sleep) offers tremendous interplay between guitar and sax. The minor key suggests deep
thought, quiet solitude and perhaps, sadness. Death by Dyson proceeds with an unhurried
pace, the music is dynamically soft to moderate creating an intimate and subdued feel.
The album closer is Hint of Skogbrann which builds with dramatic tension from a pensive
opening passage to an emotional intensity leaving a lasting impression.
What unites these pieces is the spirit of four musicians embracing risk, listening intently,
and shaping music that feels alive in the moment. These are tunes for the restless heart,
hymns for the bold spirit, ballads for those who dream with open eyes…and ears.
David Fishel
Musikere
Michael Aadal - Gitar
André Kassen - Tenorsaxofon, baritonsaxofon
Audun Ramo - El. og akk. bass
Gunnar Sæter - Trmmer
