PÅ STERKE VINGER

Höst only made two albums and after that I have heard their first one I could already say that was a shame. They came from Indre Östfold fylke in Norway and this is their debut album: "På sterke vinger" which came the year of 1974 two years after their second and last record. The cover of the album are totally lovely. It shows the five band- mebers standing in front of a surrealistic autumn background. Here we have the hounour to meet Geir Morgan Jahren(vocals), Lasse Nilsen(guitar), Bernt Bodahl(bass), Knut R Lie(drums, vocals) and Svein Rönning(guitar, clavinet, organ, string ensemble, mini-moog, flute and vocals). The album is short so you can listen to the lovelyness many times in a row.

Well, this is awesome music in every way and it's a cult record among fans of the seventies rock in Scandinavia. It contains some really spectacular songs of the class of masterpieces. "Fattig men fri" is an agitating anthem which starts everything. Directly I was caught by the great vocals of Jahren and the skillful musicians that did so many innovative stuff(10/10). The title track is also as lovely as it should be: "På sterke vinger" is a hard rock song, but it is progressive in every aspect and the viruosity shines through it all(10/10). It's the very best song on the album and also the best Norwegian song I have heard. It is wonderful that the band sings in Norwegian, one of the best languages actually. Even English singing Norwegian bands have a lot to be proud of I know. "Satans skorpe" and "Dit vi må"(both 9/10) are also almost perfected abnd the other three songs are more than good as well.

"Höst" (autumn/fall) plays progressive hard rock which appeal to me more than for example Rush does and the have earned their reputation of one of Norway's best bands. The music is lead by the clear guitars and the strong hard rock vocals, but this is not agressive and too heavy music. It is fine and withdrawn at the same time. Then I wonder why I hold back my five stars. My song to song rating ends at 4.43 and I believe I will higher my rating. Right now though I don't feel the album is so coherent and constant awesome that five is fair but this is, dear progers as close as five stars a four star rating will come. A realy good album! Best song: "På sterke vinger"