Sunday, August 7, 2016

Airbag (epic rock, neo prog rock / Norway)

Biography:

Airbag’s music is perhaps best described as scenic, epic rock or, as legendary Classic Rock Magazine said: “Reminiscent of a late-nite, laid-back Pink Floyd”. Airbag’s  hugely successful album releases has gained the band a solid following and reputation among both fans and the press.

After having played in different projects together, Airbag was formed in 2004 by five classmates from Oslo, Norway. The band recorded their first EP, Come On In, the same year, followed by Sounds That I Hear (2006) and Safetree (2008). Although recorded for promotional use, the EPs were offered for free on the band’s website and got over 230.000 downloads within just a few months. The networking paid off and Airbag signed with Norwegian label Karisma Records in August 2008.

Airbag’s debut album, Identity (2009), featured remixed versions of most of the songs from the Sounds That I Hear and Safetree EPs. The album exceeded all expectations and was received with rave reviews, – peaking with the single Colours at top 3 on Polish radio in early 2011.
The second release, All Rights Removed (2011), saw Airbag moving in a more conceptual direction with long, epic pieces and dramatic instrumentation. The album comprises six thematic songs, including the 17-minute live favourite Homesick (part I-III). The release was also the first with Henrik Fossum on drums. All Rights Removed received six Best Prog Release of the Year 2011 awards and numerous top-ranking listings.

The Greatest Show on Earth (2013), Airbag’s third release, showed a darker side of the band, with lyrics dealing with the destructive forces in our society. This was also underlined by heavier guitars and dramatic arrangements. The album soon became a fan favourite and was once again received incredibly well by the press.

Airbag’s fourth album Disconnected was released in June 2016. ‘Disconnected’ features six songs with a common theme - from the opening track to the thirteen-minute long title track, the listener is taken on a sonic journey of lush soundscapes and arrangements, underlined by soaring guitars and soulful vocals.


Airbag has also become a solid live-act playing at several major festivals, including Night at the Prog and Cruice to the Edge, and shared the stage with bands like Anathema, Yes, Pineapple Thief, Riverside, RPWL and Gazpacho. Airbag also opened up for Marillion on their Scandinavian tour in 2012.



Current members:

Asle Tostrup (vocals) 
Bjørn Riis (guitars, vocals)
Jørgen Hagen (keyboards)
Anders Hovdan (bass) 
Joachim Slikker (drums)

Former member:

Henrik Fossum (drums)



Discography:

EPs:

- Come On In (2004)
- Sounds That I Hear (2005)
Safetree (2007)

Albums:

- Identity (2009)
-  All Right Removed (2011) 
- The Greatest Show on Earth (2013)
- Disconnected (2016)



Broken: https://youtu.be/Xj2AFf_J6mM :

No comments:

Post a Comment