ALBUM REVIEW: Norwegian Gothic – Årabrot

For a band named after a garbage dump, Norweigan noise-rock project ÅRABROT have paved a considerably successful path during their tenure. Their ninth album entitled Norweigan Gothic is due for release on April 9th via Pelagic Records and pushes the bands sound further than ever before.

Carnival Of Love hits the ground running with a moody tone and eccentric vocal passages that grasp your attention almost immediately. The surges of energy and vibrant melodies get this release off to a promising start. Rule Of Silence almost feels like a completely different band as it switches to a synth driven approach with snappy drum sequences. The vocal lines are theatrical in delivery, telling you a story with their dramatic prose. Feel It On nudges the quirkiness up a notch with an enticing arrangement of styles. The chorus has that kind of spark about it like an excerpt you’d hear on the radio, subsequently getting stuck in your head for weeks.

The Lie lets prominent bass lines and further instances of evocative vocal work lead the way, whilst not as chaotic and unpredictable as its predecessors it still possesses a very engaging tempo. The Crows provides an upbeat, exciting pacing which feels like the ideal live track to get people dancing along. The grunge injected grooves hit that sweet spot. Kinks Of The Heart follows suit with a powerful, commanding stride and a peculiar vocal delivery that fits the track like a glove. Another sure fire crowdpleaser.

Hailstones For Rain offers an upbeat, punchy demeanour as the slick drum work ups the ante. Alluring brass segments are integrated into the piece to provide an additional layer of grandiosity to proceedings. The Voice provides a brief spoken extract which leads into the eerie, unnerving soundscape of Hallucinational. The vocals are simply haunting, sending a chill down your spine before elegant orchestral elements are brought to the forefront to allow for a moment of emotive escapism. (This Is) The Night picks up the pace once more with energetic drumming and an array of sturdy riffs. The variety of stylings spliced into the vocal lines compliments the confident tempo. This enthusiasm spills over into Hard Love. The sheer catchiness really begins to take hold, making it impossible not to start nodding your head or tapping your foot along to the beat.

Impact Heavily Onto The Concrete offers another snippet of conversation that leads into the jarring heaviness and a march-like procession of Hounds Of Heaven. As the track begins to gain momentum a variety of melodious layers begin to build. Deadlock adopts a quirky 80’s vibe with a range of synth work and experimental dabbling before taking an abrupt, dark turn out of absolutely nowhere, showing exactly why you should expect the unexpected whenever ÅRABROT are in town. As we approach the climactic stages of this release The Moon Is Dead insists on putting you on edge with its uncomfortable, industrial vibes. Whilst the overall structure is minimalist in construction there are sprinklings of saxophone and an encapsulating atmosphere that keeps you on your toes. You’re Not That Special rounds off the album with some food for thought with one final closing statement.

Whilst ÅRABROT might not necessarily be for everyone there is plenty to digest and appreciate within the chapters of Norweigan Gothic. Like a chameleon it constantly shifts and adapts to its surroundings, never settling on a particular narrative or tone which in turn provides a very intriguing experience as you wonder what the next moment has in store. A forward thinking and fearless endeavour which should have its rightful opportunity to flourish.

Rating: 8/10

Norwegian Gothic is set for release on April 9th via Pelagic Records. 

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