#apollon-records — Public Fediverse posts

New #review today: "#ToyWeather’s #SveinHovland says that Van der Graaf Generator is a big influence on him, but listening to the music on Feathers in a Strange Wind, that comparison would never come to mind. His voice is more than a little reminiscent of #TimBowness, so anyone familiar with #NoMan will likely have that in their mind, though Toy Weather’s music is not built on electronic instrumentation." #ExposeOnline #ApollonRecords #ProgressiveRock http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/toy-weather-feathers-in-a-strange-wind-2.html

New #review today: "Bergen’s #PurpleSkies is another entry in the roll-call of modern bands that take inspiration from early #BlackSabbath. When treading such a well-worn path, it takes a fair amount of skill to not just sound like a rehash or cliche. To my ears, Purple Skies manages it nicely on their debut, A Million Years." #ExposeOnline #ApollonRecords #StonerRock #PsychedelicRock http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/purple-skies-a-million-years-2.html

At first blush, pop music and progressive rock might seem too contradictory to be combined effectively. While the former prioritizes immediate accessibility, the latter prizes unconventional artistic expression. Even so, several Norwegian bands are finding immensely original ways to reconcile these differences. Moron Police and Meer have been showered with heaps of deserved praise by my colleagues, but I discovered my personal favorite of the bunch tucked at the very end of GardensTale’s Top Ten(ish) of 2022 list. Major Parkinson’s Valesa – Chapter I: Velvet Prison quickly became one of my most beloved records of all time with its inimitable charm and wit. All permanent band members have returned for Valesa – Chapter II: Viva the Apocalypse!, which is particularly relieving given vocalist Jon Ivar Kollbotn’s heart attack while performing on stage a few years ago. I’m grateful that the full crew is still here to delight audiences once more.

If there’s anything predictable about Major Parkinson, it’s their unpredictability. While the chimeric fusion of synth-pop and prog rock of Velvet Prison was drenched in 80s nostalgia, Viva the Apocalypse! feels somewhat more modernized. The guitar lines (Øystein Bech-Eriksen and Sondre Skollevoll1) are much more prominent and flashy, with full-on solos in “Showbiz” and “Superdad.” In fact, pretty much everything about Viva the Apocalypse! is flashy. Lars Christian Bjørknes’s2 piano keys that featured prominently in prior albums are mostly replaced by glitzy synths, frequently underscored by blazing trumpets3 and smooth saxophone.4 Brand-new guest vocalist Halie’s husky singing complements Kollbotn’s gravelly yet velvety tones extremely well. His voice has only become richer over time, bathing my ears as if with warm honey.

Valesa – Chapter II: Viva the Apocalypse! by Major Parkinson

Major Parkinson has always been defined by duality, but on Viva the Apocalypse! it’s sharper than ever. The first half of the record is full of ridiculously catchy, quirky arrangements and carefree curiosity. There are even sprinklings of funk (“Superdad”) and gospel (“Showbiz”). “Viva the Apocalypse!” is the climax of this feverish party, as trumpets, upbeat electronic tunes, and guitar riffs blast with reckless abandon. But something about all this mirth doesn’t feel quite genuine, and the second half of Viva the Apocalypse! grows more hostile as the mask starts to slip. “Karma Supernova” begins with ominous bass notes that intertwine with guitar and synth lines to signal something sinister approaching, with Sondre Veland’s drumming sporadically becoming frantic as tension builds and releases. His frenzied kitwork and the whirring synth tone at the end of “Maybelline” give the vivid impression that the record is about to self-destruct.

As different as the individual elements are on Viva the Apocalypse!, Major Parkinson again weaves them together into a unified and unique experience. I miss the eccentric interludes from Velvet Prison, but other songwriting tricks have carried over. As before, Viva the Apocalypse! leans on simple recurring lyrics to tie the tracks together with tickling déjà vu. Examples include “The world is on fire, and you look so beautiful” (“Superdad,” Kiss Me Now!”), and “Free drinks for everyone!” (“Showbiz,” “Karma Supernova”). I particularly love the one-two punch of “Superdad” and “Father Superior,” which (as their titles suggest) are deliciously complementary, both musically and lyrically. However, I’m less enthralled by Kollbotn’s unsettling shouting match with returning vocalist Peri Winkle in “Maybelline,” which contrasts starkly with their gentle duet in “Kiss Me Now!” Despite the powerful artistic statement, these closing tracks are more difficult to appreciate musically.

In many ways, Viva the Apocalypse! is Major Parkinson’s most incendiary chapter to date. It’s more technically impressive—the drums and guitars in particular get their chance to shine brightly. Once again, they have cleverly evolved their sound and leveraged a diverse supporting cast to enrich the musical environment. The first half of Viva the Apocalypse! is a fantastic dream from which I don’t want to wake, but the second half is meaner and less emotionally gripping for me. Still, there is something special going on here, just like in Norway’s prog scene as a whole. If the world is on fire, I’m glad that Major Parkinson is around to give us a good time as it goes up in flames.

Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: PCM
Label: Apollon Records
Websites: majorparkinson.bandcamp.com | majorparkinson.com | facebook.com/majorparkinson
Releases Worldwide: March 13th, 2026

New #review today: "#Pymlico has always had multiple aspects to their sound, contrasting melodic sections that are alarmingly close to Smooth #Jazz with harder-hitting sections that draw from #ProgressiveRock and #PostRock. Core continues that trend, and I often find that just when I’m starting to think of Kenny G and being stuck on an infinite elevator ride, they’ll hit me with something more like Camel and I’m back on board." #ExposeOnline #ApollonRecords http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/pymlico-core-2.html

ZEBULON – Come Day of Reckoning
https://eternal-terror.com/?p=75098

RELEASE YEAR: 2025BAND URL: https://zebulondoom.bandcamp.com/album/come-day-of-reckoning-2

The splendid Norwegian doom metal outfit known as Zebulon unleashed this musically dynamic force of nature just a couple of weeks ago, and there is an exciting and emotive edge as well as heaps of gloom to the 6-track effort, which sports the evocative title Come Day of Reckoning, reflecting its […]

#apollonRecords #comeDayOfReckoning #doomMetal #hardRock #heavyMetal #stonerRock #zebulon

ANNLAUG BØRSHEIM – Spring Før Sola Står Opp
https://eternal-terror.com/?p=72613

RELEASE YEAR: 2025BAND URL: https://annlaugb.bandcamp.com/album/spring-f-r-sola-st-r-opp

Few albums are as compelling, fully formed, and addictive as this one is – let me just say that to begin with. The immensely gifted Annlaug Børsheim’s latest musical effort saw the light of day in early September via the eclectic Apollon Records, and this 9-song gem is undoubtedly one of the finest and […]

#americana #annlaugBørsheim #apollonRecords #folk #folkRock #jazz #singerSongwriter #springFørSolaStårOpp

ANNLAUG BØRSHEIM – Bergen – 13.09.2025
https://eternal-terror.com/?p=73283

VENUE: Statsraaden Bar & ReceptionDATE: 13.09.2025ORGANIZER: Apollon Records / Statsraaden Bar & ReceptionPHOTOGRAPHER: J. Nepper

Following the release of Annlaug Børsheim’s phenomenal Spring Før Sola Står Opp via Apollon Records roughly a week ago, we had the great pleasure and privilege of attending her appearance at the highly appealing little venue known as Statsraaden Bar & Reception. […]

#americana #annlaugBørsheim #apollonRecords #bergen #chamberPop #folk #folkRock #jazz #singerSongwriter

New #review today: "This split release celebrates a decade of activity by two #ApollonRecords artists, #Jordsjø and #Breidablik, each of whom presents a single side-long track called “Kontraster.”" #ExposeOnline #ProgressiveRock http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/jordsjo-breidablik-kontraster-2.html

Recensie: OAK – Lighthouse ★★★★
https://writteninmusic.com/albumrecensie/oak-lighthouse/

#Music #Rock #OAK #ApollonRecords

#NewRelease: #Moonsoon - East of Asteroid out tomorrow for your #BandcampFriday consideration on #ApollonRecords #ProgressiveRock https://moonsoon1.bandcamp.com/album/east-of-asteroid

New #review today: "#Dobbeltgjenger’s follow-up to the INXS-inspired The Twins, predictably for this band, makes a distinct stylistic shift. Acoustic guitars are the dominant sound on some tracks, though the songwriting is very much in the same intelligent, melodic vein as previous albums." #ExposeOnline #ArtRock #ApollonRecords http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/dobbeltgjenger-master-of-failure-2.html

STEIN ROGER SORDAL – As I Try to Remember All I Try to Forget
https://eternal-terror.com/?p=64703

RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://steinrogersordal.bandcamp.com/album/as-i-try-to-remember-all-i-try-to-forget

Released in late November 2024 and compiling his brand-new second album and his debut offering – they are basically twin records, if you will – this sweetly melancholic gem by songwriter Stein Roger Sordal of Green Carnation fame is not only tailor-made for reflective moments in […]

#acoustic #americana #apollonRecords #greenCarnation #prog #singerSongwriter #steinRogerSordal

New #review today: "Three years after #Kornmo’s previous release Fimbulvinter, they are back with a new concept album called Vårjevndøgnsnatt (Night of the Spring Equinox), based on a story that begins in Ireland and ends in the deep Norwegian forests, spanning four long tracks for roughly 75 minutes of some of the best instrumental #ProgressiveRock that you could want." #ExposeOnline #ApollonRecords http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/kornmo-varjevndognsnatt-6.html

KORNMO – Vårjevndøgnsnatt
https://eternal-terror.com/?p=64144

RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://kornmo1.bandcamp.com/album/v-rjevnd-gnsnatt

I am rather fond of this talented act’s previous records and find them engaging and beautifully crafted affairs that balance the epic and the intimate in a splendid manner. Vårjevnsdøgnsnatt is their fourth opus and sees them taking their instrumental symphonic prog to new heights in terms of sheer melodic […]

#apollonRecords #apollonRecordsProg #instrumentalRock #kornmo #prog #progRock #symphonicProgRock #vårjevndøgnsnatt

DONNER – The Van Gennep Gap
https://eternal-terror.com/?p=64088

RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://donner.bandcamp.com/album/the-van-gennep-gap

Being rather infatuated with this entity’s debut effort, namely the evocative Hesitant Light from 2021, I had high hopes for White Willow mastermind Jacob Holm-Lupo’s latest creation under the Donner moniker. Now that The Van Gennep Gap is out and I have had the opportunity to properly immerse myself in the […]

#apollonRecords #fusion #jacobHolmLupo #jazzRock #krautrock #prog #progressiveRock #retrowave #synthwave #whiteWillow

New #review today: "#AiPhoenix was a Norwegian band active from 1998 to 2014. Today they give rare live performances that draw fans from across oceans. Ai Phoenix brought something new to the Norwegian music scene: #shoegazer #DreamPop..." #ExposeOnline #ApollonRecords http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/ai-phoenix-the-driver-is-dead-6.html

New #review today: "It’s a bit like #Bangles met up with #WildColonials and decided to try their luck with a #FolkRock style. Any lover of tasty music with great singing and smart songwriting should check out #Lovebugs." #ExposeOnline #PowerPop http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/lovebugs-overloved-2.html #ApollonRecords

#NewRelease: #Trojka - Strobemørke. New album from Bergen #ProgPop band on #ApollonRecords out 16 August 2024. #ProgressiveRock #ArtRock https://trojkabergen.bandcamp.com/album/strobem-rke

X-PLEASURE – His Master’s Voice
https://eternal-terror.com/?p=61434

RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://x-pleasure.bandcamp.com/album/his-masters-voice

The melancholy His Master’s Voice is something quite different and interesting in that it sees the talented Dan Heide (ex-Zeromancer, Ljungblut) spearheading a great ensemble of more than capable musicians and essentially churning out some exquisitely crafted compositions that […]

#americana #apollonRecords #hisMastersVoice #melancholyRock #postPunk #rock #xpleasure

MESAVERDE – All is Well
https://eternal-terror.com/?p=60108

RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://mesaverde.bandcamp.com/album/all-is-well

I thoroughly enjoyed the debut offering by the eclectic Oslo-based ensemble known as MesaVerde, namely the engrossing KY album that came out in October 2022, and I was very much looking forward to this sophomore effort of theirs. In simple terms, All is Well surpasses […]

#allIsWell #apollonRecords #artPop #classicRock #indiePop #indieRock #jazz #jazzRock #mesaverde #newWave #oslo #prog #progRock

New #review today: "Due to the success of his recent releases, #ApollonRecords has reissued #AndersBuaas’ debut solo album The Witches of Finnmark on both LP and CD. This debut of six instrumentals is undoubtedly Anders’ best work, which is saying a lot considering the excellence of his other solo albums." #ExposeOnline #ProgRock #ProgressiveRock http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/anders-buaas-the-witches-of-finnmark-6.html

New #review today: "In the course of #Dobbeltgjenger’s journey through music history, we’ve touched on mid-70s inspired power pop (Limbohead) and disco (Smooth Failing), so what’s next? If I had to pin down The Twins stylistically, what I’m most reminded of is the #INXS of Listen Like Thieves and Kick. These are catchy songs with energetic beats, slightly funky rhythms, and strong vocals." #ExposeOnline #ApollonRecords http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/dobbeltgjenger-the-twins-2.html

New #review today: "In the midst of the pandemic after the release of their first album, #StrangeHorizon joined forces with Eirik Arnstem of #Kryptograf and began working in the rehearsal building Skur 14, hence the album title." #ExposeOnline #HeavyMetal #ProgMetal #ProgRock #ApollonRecords http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/strange-horizon-skur-14-6.html

New #review today: "For their second outing on #ApollonRecords, jazz quartet #Aadal gives us a set of ten pieces that live somewhere between #jazz and mellow instrumental rock. The group takes its name from guitarist Michael Aadal, and he’s assisted by Audun Ramo (bass), Gunnar Sæter (drums), and André Kassen (tenor sax); all the writing is by Aadal, and he seems to be in a very mellow mood for the duration." #ExposeOnline http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/aadal-lost-songs-2.html

New #review today: "Norway’s art-rockers #LaughingStock have taken their music in a different direction with their new album Songs for the Future. What they’ve done for their fifth album is reach back and take inspiration from the music they enjoyed in their youth, the more eclectic and playful music of the 80s." #ExposeOnline #ArtRock #ArtPop #ApollonRecords http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/laughing-stock-songs-for-the-future-6.html

New #review today: "#MeltMotif is an international trio featuring two Norwegian musicians and a Brazilian. In some ways, the group fits the #TripHop pattern of a female vocalist and a male instrumentalist, though they have moved far beyond that core, both stylistically and in their means of production, becoming something of a modern take on the band Garbage." #ExposeOnline #ApollonRecords http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/melt-motif-a-white-horse-will-take-you-home-particles-death-objective-2.html

New r#eview today: "Vandring was #Kornmo’s second concept album and is now their third release on #ApollonRecords. “Vandring” is Norwegian for “hiking,” and the ten instrumentals present different sonic poems about hiking in the mountains." #ExposeOnline #ProgRock http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/kornmo-vandring-6.html