SJELEFRED

This is a very strong album full of surprises, twists and turn, you cannot expect what you will experience on the first listening experience, I was sure not.

A very obscure band from Oslo, Norway, who is nearly as unknown in Norway as they are totally unknown outside of Norway.

How do you analyze the music of Sjelefred is up to each individual who listen to the album, but the music can be in one word be described as inspired, to use more words i will use the word talented musicians, the musical knowledge this band seems to be in control over is staggering, and the level they handle the instruments is confident and natural, no parts seems forced, no parts seems contrived every song is well played in every beat, and every note is not out of place, the time sigs sounds natural and awesome how they just groove, as good as if Danny Carrey sat behind the set, but he is not. Drumming is mastered by Andreas Krogvold, his groove ability's and subtle technique is confident, and proves him as a solid backbone to the music.

Just listen to his drumming on the song "Blomst" (Flower), loose, tight and crisp drums, groovy and melodic bass grooves, airy guitars, and warm singing,

the albums is quite a crazy ride and lots of instrumental free form jazz improv metal onslaughts, veiling guitar, sax, moogs, trombone, both soprano and alto sax,, some songs are bouncy and funky as a P-funk tune, and as fun as one as well, some songs can remind some people of nu-metal with the slapping, pounding bass solely the song "Paradis I Praxis" can trick one to think of Korn or something, but that is only on the surface, this song is much wilder ride, much more groovy and have some delicate post-rock and arctic jazz elements, and the time sig shifts are so effectively and snappy it blows Korn out of the arena, and the musicianship is miles above any Nu metal act, and Dødsverk is not a nu metal act. The alternative rock influences are there, but the jazz/fusion elements are so dominant and so intelligent put in you will forget it is alternative metal gone prog after a couple of listening,

standout songs on the album is: Slaver Uten Lenker (Slaves Without Chains), Fanget Frihet (Trapped Freedom), Tid som Er Forbi, Paradise i Praksis, and Seierherre, (also the titletrack is a solid song with full of fun),

this is a exellent addition to any prog rock music fan, and a good addition to anyones collection. This is a semi, almost nearly a masterpiece of progressive rock, but fans of metal and nu might wrinkle alitle on the nose but not let those two words scare you this music is beyond any nu metal or any straight forward post grunge metal act,

this is a masterpiece of prog rock for those who like challenging and eclectic prog but can also be to crazy for the fans of more smoother prog, less noisy prog.

hope you enjoy the review and also the music, thanks

bye