VARJEVNDOGNSNATT

Norwegian trio Kornmo arose early 2015 from the ashes of the band Morild that disbanded around 2014. Chief composer and bass player Nils Larsen wished to continue making music, but sought a slightly different challenge this time, namely focussing entirely on instrumental music. Along with his friend of 50 years and previous band mate from Morild, Odd-Roar Bakken, he started a new musical project to fulfil this wish. To complete the band, Nils asked his son Anton Larsen to join on drums, now Kornmo was formed. This is a project that solely records original progressive instrumental music, and the band does not perform any live gigs but released four albums: Svartisen (2017), Vandring (2019), Fimbulvinter (2021) and recently Vårjevndøgnsnatt (2024). About their previous effort Fimbulvinter (2021) I wrote: "I am pleased with this new Kornmo album, to me it sounds as their most elaborate and compelling effort, recommended to fans of vintage keyboards, and melodic and harmonic symphonic rock like Seventies Camel, Barclay James Harvest and Mike Oldfield."

Band info: "The new album Vårjevndøgnsnatt (Night of the Spring Equinox) is Kornmo's fourth concept album, based on a story that begins in Ireland and ends in the deep Norwegian forests. This is reflected in the musical expression, both compositionally and through the choice of instruments. Science, philosophy, myths and folklore colour the story that Vårjevndøgnsnatt is based on, which can be read in both Norwegian and English in the accompanying booklet."

Because I have reviewed the previous 3 Kornmo albums I got this new album so I have become more or less a 'connaisseur' of the Kornmo sound, haha. Their can be described as a simply structured but vere tastefully arranged blend of symphonic rock, folk and classical, with the focus on colouring the music with moving guitar work and pleasant vintage keyboard layers, backed by a solid rhythm-section. To me the omnipresent Mellotron sounds as a kind of voice in the instrumental music, especially the flute-section. About the influences, Kornmo reminds me of Camel, BJH, Anthony Phillips and Mike Oldfield, and the mellow side of fellow Skandinavian bands Anglagard and Landberk. Most of the atmospheres are pastoral sonic landscapes, every now and then the moods shift to a mid- tempo or sumptuous eruptions, to keep the attention, with dynamics and tension.

Each of the five long compositions (between 9 and 20 minutes) has its own musical developments and the trio succeeds to deliver a pleasant amount of variety with the instruments.

Sendebud Fra Vest (17:44) : Lots of flowing changing atmospheres, from dreamy to mid-tempo and bombastic outbursts, wonderfully embellished with Mellotron flutes and violins, Hammond, Minimoog, piano, acoustic guitar and a Scottish bagpipe sound.

Huldras Hale (19:24) : This longest track generates a lot of pleasant musical moments. From a slow rhythm featuring sensitive electric guitar, Mellotron flute and Minimoog solo to a brassy Mellotron and a Mike Oldfield-like medieval climate. From fiery electric guitar and soaring Hammond in a slow rhythm to a bombastic eruption with swirling Hammond and rock guitar, topped with a Minimoog solo a la Rick Wakeman. From a mellow part with piano, acoustic guitar and soft synthesizer flights to 24-carat bombastic symphonic rock with Hammond and Minimoog. And from soaring tremolo Hammond to a sumptuous conclusion featuring howling electric guitar, Minimoog joins and finally a Mellotron flute, wow.

Den Dype Skogen (15:41) : This long composition delivers a lot of fine musical ideas and flowing shifting moods, with a strong balance between mellow and more lush and bombastic parts. The instrumentation varies from dreamy Mellotron flutes and - violins to majestic church organ, howling electric guitar and Rick Wakeman inspired Minimoog runs. Top notch 70s inspired symphonic rock!

Altets Hav (9:11) : This shortest composition (only 9 minutes, haha) alternates frequently between dreamy and bombastic, with Vintage Keyboard Heaven (from swirling Hammond to spacey Minimoog) and lots of rock guitar.

Ly (Vuggesang) (11:50) : The final track is the most mellow one featuring an intense blend of acoustic guitar, soaring Hammond and tender Mellotron cello and - flute, simply beautiful!

Highly recommended to the fans of symphonic rock with pastoral overtones.

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