UNDERJORDISK TUSMØRKE

The roots of this odd Norwegian band can be traced back in 1994 in Skien, evolving from the Psych outfit Captain Cumulonimbus and his Wondrous Cloudship, where Benedikt Momrak and Krizla played together.Tusmorke started as a Medieval Folk acoustic trio, developing into Electric Tusmorke in 1996 with the addition of future Wobbler member Andreas Prestmo on bass and into Les Fleurs Du Mal in 1997.After a short history full of live shows and a demo they split up with Benedikt Momrak and Krizla returning to their studies.More than ten years later the duo met with drummer HlewagastiR and Wobbler's Lars Fredrik Froislie and decided to rebirth Tumorske.Initially with Svenno on percussion and Reggie on keyboards, both replaced later by keyboardist Deadly Nightshade, they recorded their debut ''Underjordisk tusmorke'' at LFF Studio in Honefos at the fall of 2011, guided by the experience and instrumental help of Froislie.The album was released in November 2012 on Termo Records both in CD and vinyl format.

Tusmorke started basically as a Retro/Prog Folk band with strong references to the sound of the energetic side of JETHRO TULL, where Medieval rock experimentations met with Heavy Rock pounding and dark, psychedelic tunes.Lots of driving flute parts, psych-spiced guitars and rhythmic vocals with an IAN ANDERSON vibe complete a vintage-styled approach, backed up by a consistent rhythm section.Music performed under groovy flute-led ideas and tight executions.But the Norwegians offer more than this.They incorporated the sound of Mellotron deep into their sound and they even added some synths, electric piano and harsichord in moments to deliver extremely rich and semi-personal Folk Rock, only comparable with WHITE WILLOW.The vocal arrangements are excellent and the instrumental moves are played with passion and dynamics, while the combination of folky soundscapes with the sharp edges of Heavy/Psychedelic Rock is quite interesting and even genuine, especially when the Mellotron washes come in evidence.

While the LP issue is great and definitely interesting for all vinyl collectors, the CD contains a bonus of three stunning tracks.The first two were issued in 2011 as a 7'' vinyl by Fresh Tea in only 200 copies, featuring incredible Scandinavian Heavy/Folk Rock with both English and Norwegian lyrics and an absolutely original mix of flute-powered Prog Rock with Mellotron, strings and synthesizers, creating a very dramatic enviroment.But the most surprising piece comes from the 17-min. ''Ode on dawn'', released as a demo back in 1997 by Les Fleurs Du Mal, a great Scandinavian Prog Rock epic with a dramatic tone, not dissimilar to ANEKDOTEN, MORTE MACABRE or LANDBERK, with less pronounced flute work and more evident symhponic tendencies due to the omnipresent Mellotron and the definite KING CRIMSON influence in the guitar workouts.Nice and lengthy piece with melodramatic vocals and extremely powerful bass work.

The vinyl issue of ''Underjordisk tusmorke'' is respectable and partially inventive Heavy/Folk Rock with tight songwriting, retro nuances and an impressive level of energy, coming along the lines of JETHRO TULL and WHITE WILLOW, the CD offering is simply more than this, a documentary of Tusmorke's history with a more varied sound on ''Ode on dawn'' and a pair of stunning extra pieces.No matter which one you select, this debut by the Norwegians hippies is strongly recommended...3.5 stars.