Preorders launch this evening (Central European time) for the debut album from Swedish rockers Tornet, whose debut album, Domedagar, will see release on Sept. 23 through Majestic Mountain Records. The band features a few recognizable names in drummer Kalle Lilja (Wolves in Haze, Långfinger) and bassist Mikael Backendal (JIRM), who collaborated earlier this year on the debut album from Toad Venom, Eat! (review here), but while likewise retro, Tornet is a decidedly less pop-minded outfit, with the powerful vocals of Martina Svärd (also harmonium) atop the semi-cultish atmospheres of keyboardist/organist Daniel Hägglund and the riffs and intertwining solos of guitarists Thomas Höglund (also principle songwriter) and Tomas Svärd.

As recorded by Lilja with mixing by him and Per Stålberg at Gothenburg’s Welfare Sounds, mastering by Esben Willems at Berserk Audio, the album collects nine pristine tracks of classic heavy rocking purpose, bordering on the proto-metallic with flourish of NWOBHM, and is able to fluidly shift between definitely-Swedish moments of Witchcraft‘s early-doom and the later modernizations of Graveyard — looking at you, “Gamlas Hamn” — without tipping over into cultist cliché or the male-gaze-centering witch rock of which there seems to be a glut at the moment. One does not expect abatement there, but that’s not quite where Tornet are coming from on the nine-tracker in either the chugging fuzz of “Blodsband,” the careening “Ain” or the more patiently unfurled “Dödens Pilar” before it and the two-minute drumless comedown finale “Lupus” after.

The video premiering below for “Nemesis” — which is still in Swedish, it’s just the same word — is mostly Svärd looking head on at the camera with some older movie clips spliced in, but I’ll go right ahead and give the band credit for (1:) not going out to the woods to film a woman being chased by demons and (2:) the song itself, which picks up after the epic eponymous opener/longest track (immediate points) and the hooky cavernous echoing chorus of “Blodsband” to find a mellow middle-ground, creeping but not a creep and with plenty of space for the vocals to shine, even with the push of the main riff behind, an immediately familiar but smoothly executed amalgam of schooled doom rock with enough reach so that the piano buildup into “Glömska” isn’t anymore out of place than the weepy, birdsong-topped solo at the end.

And whether it’s the stately intro of “Förlorad” or the twisting riffs that follow, the smooth build of “Dödens Pilar” or the apexmaking in “Ain,” Domedagar brims with purpose and poise that belies it being the band’s debut. United by an organic but not overly vintage production, Tornet bring range of mood and atmosphere to their material without losing their central aesthetic spirit. If, as the PR wire asserts, it’s the ascension of a new matriarchy,  perhaps working in response to outfits claiming to exalt femininity while nonetheless brazenly, clearly exploiting it as an ‘other,’ we should be so lucky. That’s a lot to ask of a band on their first record, but no argument either in concept or the delivery here. Let it be the trajectory for band and genre alike.

The signing announcement from Majestic Mountain and more background follows the premiere of “Nemesis” below, shaded PR wire blue for your convenience and edification. Have at it and see where you land.

And please enjoy:

Tornet, “Nemesis” video premiere

Majestic Mountain Records is thrilled to present Gothenburg based Tornet and their upcoming, full-length release ‘Domedagar’ to the world.

An astounding album completely in Swedish, full of powerful, heavy riffing, retro toned rock wrapped in deeply divine and infernally feral matriarchal magic. This is the real deal.

‘Domedagar’ weaves an impassioned and entrancing spell with its gripping, tenebrous presence.

Today we give you the first taste of the album with the single ‘Nemesis’ and it’s accompanying, darkly unhinged video. A song about taking the power back. The time of revenge is here, and the time of the matriarchy is near.

If you know, you know.
If not, get ready..

Not just another occult or retro rock band, Tornet are a force of nature and have been bringing impressive live performances to Swedish audiences since 2014. A powerhouse of collective talent making heady, proto-psychedelic retro rock steamrolling through your psyche.

With ‘Domedagar,’ their first physical release, comes raging fires of destruction and the tide of churning, unavoidable change in vast, lush swathes of seething, heavy rock and searingly beautiful, melodic, proto-metallic prog.

The sheer power of this release is driven at its core by singer Martina Svärd’s vocal command. Deeply mysterious with each note resonating from the centre of the earth, magnificently crepuscular and soulfully somber with an intense energy virtually bleeding primordially ancient essence.

The band’s individual elements mesh in an effortlessly sublime and cohesive manner through exceptionally accomplished compositional flow and the pristine production of Kalle Lilja from Welfare Sounds and Esben Willems of Studio Berserk. A tight, hard rocking delivery is bolstered by thick riffing which oscillates wildly from sixties and 70’s heavy rock to rich, bluesy doom metal and the recurrent appearance of metallic, double guitars. Bounding basslines and a plethora of percussive elements provide ample groove and atmospheric embellishment which is seamlessly integrated through the use of varied keys, harmonium and unexpected trips into subdued yet intensely captivating instrumental passages through galloping heaviness.

It would be all too easy to throw around comparisons to artists such as Jex Thoth, Graveyard, Horizont, even the nostalgia of Jethro Tull, Skynrd or Allman Brothers, but Tornet’s music is so much more.

From the band:
“We met Marco a few years ago and began to discuss an album before Majestic Mountain even existed. However, the recording was a long process and years passed. Finally, the time has come and we are happy that our album gets to see the light. Tornet represents change in the most radical and momentous sense. There is no choice but to surrender to destruction and chaos, no matter how unwanted or painful. The tower must be destroyed.”

And without further ado, we announce that pre-sale for the album will open tonight at 19:00(CET). All information on the wax will be shared then.

You can secure your copy from the Majestic Shop or by visiting the band directly on their Bandcamp.

Official release will be on 23.09.

Lyrics Martina Svärd, Thomas Höglund (De Gamlas Hamn)
Music by Thomas Höglund // Tornet

The album was produced and recorded at Welfare Sounds in Gothenburg by Kalle Lilja.
Mixed by Kalle Lilja & Per Stålberg
Assisting sound works: Daniel “Dollars” Deurell
Mastered by Esben Willams at Studio Beserk

Gatefold artwork by Mattias “Halle” Halldin
Photo: Jens Eliasson

Tornet is:
Martina Svärd: Vocals/harmonium
Thomas Höglund: Guitar
Tomas Svärd: Guitar
Kalle Lilja: Drums
Mikael Backendal: Bass
Daniel Hägglund: Piano/organ

Tornet on Bandcamp

Tornet on Facebook

Tornet on Instagram

Tornet on Spotify

Majestic Mountain Records webstore

Majestic Mountain Records on Facebook

Majestic Mountain Records on Instagram

Tags: Domedagar, Gothenburg, Majestic Mountain Records, Sweden, Tornet, Tornet Domedagar

This entry was posted on Friday, September 9th, 2022 at 4:57 am and is filed under Bootleg Theater. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.