Norwegian heavy classic-style progressive rockers Jordsjø release their new album, Pestkrønikene, through Dying Victims Productions on July 24. The two-piece unfurl eight songs across a thoughtful, considered and nonetheless deeply warm 35 minutes, with vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Håkon Oftung and drummer/producer Kristian Frøland dug deep into an aesthetic born likewise of the 20th century’s original progressive movement and of modern complexities. The flute/acoustic guitar of “Kaosvelde – Vasallens Elegi” sounds medieval, in other words, but they didn’t have Mellotrons in the Middle Ages. There are melodic twists and the subsequent “Kaosveldets Endelikt” seems to reference “Smoke on the Water” in its organ line before the band welcomes Wobbler‘s Lars Fredrik Frøislie sitting in as one of four guest performers helping Jordsjø celebrate an extended 10-year anniversary.

But you know all those memes about touching grass? Have you seen the one where it’s the old guy with a big white beard and overalls and he’s talking about, “Let’s go out in the woods and find cool rocks?” Jordsjø sound, figuratively and literally, like they’re ready to go on just such an excursion. In the declension of the opening title-track and the somewhat foreboding solo and Norwegian-language lyric, there’s a darker mood, but it’s still a naturalism they’re positing, and as Black Magic‘s Jon A. Henriksen brings a lighter McCartneyism to, go figure, “White Magic” — he also comes back for the closer “Talisman II” — the sweetly-toned adventure begins. Maybe you’re out in the woods. Maybe there’s a creek. Maybe you’ll get to see a frog. All of these and an entire universe of possibility exist and await you. All you have to do is put down your laptop and stop writing about riffs. Wait what?

The point is that Oftung, Frøland and their litany of likewise-talented associates create an organic atmosphere and work in a variety of moods — “Seven Heads” (premiering below), which follows and is just the duo, is a riff-led guitar groover until the organ takes a solo; then it’s both — with a dynamic approach to songwriting. And perhaps unsurprisingly given the context of a productive two-piece who’ve been making releases together for a decade-plus steeped in classic prog, but intricacy and nuance, the details of what they’re playing and how — the keys, guitar and percussion interacting on “White Magic”; the future-synthy shove of “Kaosveldets Endelikt” — do a lot of work in establishing the persona of the band.

This isn’t necessarily new for them, either, but the balance between patience of craft and knowing when it’s time to hit it speaks to their experience and years together, and over the course of Pestkrønikene, one finds that stretches like the guitar-rocking near-boogie of “The Awakened” comes across as all the more of a breakout for the pastoralism of the “Kaosvelde” duology just before, Jordsjø not only purposeful in that contrast, but reveling in it and using it to help set up a full-album flow as “Spiritual Lament” takes the riffery of “The Awakened” and inserts a contemplative midsection to redirect the energy. It is accomplished skillfully, purposefully, and I’ll stress this again, organically, because while Frøland and Oftung could so easily give into instrumental indulgence — and I won’t say Pestkrønikene is entirely without it — the songs themselves are contained and complete, fluid but far more efficient and concise than either the record or these run-on sentences might make it seem.

“Talisman II” bringing back Henriksen is the only repeated guest spot of the four, and feels like something of a bookend with “White Magic,” complementing that song’s organ-laced finish with Mellotron and more post-Beatles harmonies. The letting-go at the end of the record follows a crescendo, but like the record as a whole, it’s not overblown or interested in upsetting the (frankly better) world that Pestkrønikene has to that point made. I haven’t done so, but I’ll recommend outdoor listening as well. Also outdoor anything. If you find a cool rock, send me a picture.

The premiere of “Seven Heads” follows here. Album’s out next month, as noted. For more on the guests and other context, PR wire info is beneath the player in blue text.

Please enjoy:

Jordsjø, “Seven Heads” track premiere

DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present JORDSJØ’s highly anticipated new album, Pestkrønikene, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

JORDSJØ released their first tape in 2015. With the fourth tape, 2017’s Jord, the band got a wider audience outside their native Norway and subsequently released full-lengths on such labels as Karisma, Pancromatic, and Apollon. The band works as a duo in the studio, but for the last eight years, they have played live as a quintet. JORDSJØ are led by multi-instrumentalist Håkon Oftung, who has been a part of Oslo’s psychedelic, progressive, and heavy rock undergrounds for many years, and has played in Black Magic, Tusmørke, The Chronicles of Father Robin, Wobbler, Zenon, and labelmates FLIGHT to mention but a few. He’s joined by longtime companion and childhood friend Kristian Frøland, who plays drums and percussion, and also produced and mixed Pestkrønikene.

Pestkrønikene is a part of JORDSJØ’s 10-year anniversary, and their ninth release overall. The record started out as a compilation of studio outtakes from 2020-2025, but then took on a form of its own, with the songs linked together thematically. Lyrically, those themes reflect war, upheaval, the fall of kings and the rise of a new dawn, and cults and sects. Sonically, Pestkrønikene encapsulates the JORDSJØ experience as well as extends beyond it. Mythical and magickal, the album honors the band’s background in hard rock and heavy metal, and combines this with their own analog and organic blend of progressive / psychedelic folk rock.

Tracklisting:
1. Pestkrønikene
2. White Magic (feat. Jon A. Henriksen) 04:42
3. Seven Heads
4. Kaosvelde – Vasallens Elegi
5. Kaosveldets Endelikt (feat. Lars Fredrik Frøislie)
6. The Awakened (feat. Andreas Prestmo)
7. Spiritual Lament (feat. Kristian Valbo)
8. Talisman II (feat. Jon A. Henriksen)

To say that band and record, both in general, blend ‘70s heavy rock like Deep Purple, Rush, and Ashbury with the progressive landscapes of Gentle Giant, Høst, and Landberk somewhat undersells JORDSJØ’s particular headspace. The soothingly otherworldly atmosphere sounds incredibly era-authentic but, more so, exists in a parallel universe worth revisiting over and over again; truly, new details and vistas open up with each spin, even with the soundfield being lushly Spartan. To make that anniversary all the sweeter, JORDSJØ are here joined by a few amazing guests: Jon Henriksen from Black Magic, Kristian Valbo from Obliteration / Aura Noir, and Andreas Prestmo and Lars Fredrik Frøislie from Wobbler. Sonic alchemy, Pestkrønikene is.

Succinct yet deceptively expansive at just 36 minutes, Pestkrønikene is a generous feast of fantastical, extra-dimensional exploration. While not “heavy” in the usual DYING VICTIMS sense, JORDSJØ honor the old ways – handmade, honest, even heroic.

Jordsjø on Bandcamp

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Dying Victims Productions website

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Tags: Dying Victims Productions, Jordsjø, Jordsjø Pestkrønikene, Norway, Oslo, Pestkrønikene

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