You can see below that Norwegian post-metallic crushers Bismarck actually go as far as to apologize for the delay in getting their new record, titled Vourukasha, into audience earholes. Fair enough, but hey, look, sometimes you’ve got a lot going on, or there’s a global pandemic that fucks everyone’s everything for like two full years and then there’s scheduling delays and life and it’s only been since 2020, dudes. It’s not like they released Oneiromancer (review here) in 1999 and we’ve been waiting for a follow-up ever since. But I bet if you’re in the band it feels like it at this point, and that’s what that’s about. A band sitting on their collective ass trying to get this thing out. It can be consuming, frustrating beyond compare. You have this thing, all you want to do is share it. Hurry up and wait. Maybe for a year or two.

Bismarck had previously been inked with Majestic Mountain, and scheduling is the likely demon that undid that deal, but the band will move forward with Dark Essence Records (Dwaal, Taake, Madder Mortem, Superlynx, etc.) and Vourukasha is due to arrive early next year, as the label confirmed on its site:

Dark Essence Records welcomes doom metallers Bismarck to its roster.

Dark Essence Records have announced that Norwegian Doom Metallers BISMARCK will be joining the label, bringing with them a well-deserved reputation for being one of the heaviest bands from Norway, one that has been stirring things up in the Norwegian underground scene ever since the 2018 release of the acclaimed debut album “Urkraft”.

BISMARCK’s trademark sound is an uncompromising mix of sludgy riffs and psychedelic nuances, inspired by a wide array of genres and styles. The end result is an amp melting form of stoner doom, combined with atmospheric post-rock, and with a hint of Middle Eastern folk music and the Norwegian black metal they grew up listening to.

With music that alternates between intense, fuzzed-out heaviness, and clean, atmospheric drones, and with a lyrical content that explores western esotericism, altered states of consciousness and a mystical apocalypse, BISMARCK are now ready for their latest full-length album to be unleashed upon the world.

A follow up to 2020’s critically acclaimed sophomore album “Oneiromancer”, the band’s third studio outing, which we can reveal will be named “Vourukasha” is scheduled for release in early 2024.

Commenting on the fact that they will be joining one of Norway’s best known labels, BISMARCK had this to say:

We’re stoked to sign with Dark Essence Records! They have been, and still are, a crucial part of the heavy music scene both nationally and internationally!

This is an important signing for us, and we’re looking forward to working with professional and dedicated people. Furthermore, they are people whom we consider our friends so we’re excited for the next chapter of our journey!

We would, though, just like to apologise to our fans for the long wait you’ve had for new material. We know it seems like you’ve been hanging on forever, but the album is finally on the way! We don’t want to say too much about it at the moment, but you will not be disappointed. Let’s just say that it has all you would expect from BISMARCK – and then some.

BISMARCK’s lineup is comprised of Torstein Tveiten on Vocals, Leif Herland on Guitar and Backing Vocals, Eirik Goksøyr on Guitar, Tomas Osland on Bass and Tore Lyngstad on Drums.

The band has been confirmed to appear at Oslo’s Desertfest in May 2024.

http://www.bismarck.no
http://bismarck.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/bismarckdoom
http://www.instagram.com/bismarckdoom

https://www.facebook.com/darkessencerecords
https://www.darkessencerecords.no/
https://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/

Bismarck, Oneironmancer (2020)

I had the benefit of hearing about this in-person this past Saturday, literal minutes before the announcement went out on social media. In the basement of Kulturkirken Jakob for Høstsabbat before Bismarck played, the band’s own Leif Herland confirmed that word was going out and the record — apparently called Vourukasha and almost through the recording process, which Herland is also helming — would hopefully be pressed by Spring. Laughing, I speculated June in response, and Majestic Mountain says “summer” below, so let’s just call it 2023 and let it roll for now.

Whenever it is released Vourukasha will serve as the band’s follow-up to 2020’s Oneiromancer (review here), which was impressively heavy and atmospheric in kind. I’d love to tell you how their Høstsabbat set was, but as I write this, I’m actually sitting in front of the Crypt Stage at Kulturkirken Jakob waiting for them to go on. Call it a rare temporal alignment, maybe, but it’s a new one for me for sure. Kudos to the Bergen five-piece in any case. I hope that in about 10 minutes they bludgeon this place with riffs to celebrate.

From social media, lightly edited for context:

Majestic Mountain Records are pleased to bring you Norway’s Bismarck as the newest members of the Majestic crew.

An uncompromising group of unbelievable substance, bringing obscene amounts of heavy with impeccable vision, pristine production, and unshakable delivery. Majestic? Yes.

Bismarck is a formidable act on stage and off with two incredible releases under its belt since its inception in 2015. The third, a full length of immense tension and atmosphere is forthcoming this spring with details to come.
For now, we give you its title and usher in a new era of Bismarck out upon the world.

Bismarck comments: “This a step in the right direction for us! Majestic Mountain Records are burning like a bright flame for the bands on their roster! We are really looking forward to what the future brings and we’re beyond stoked to sign a deal with this hardworking and great label!

The album ‘Vourukasha’ is for us a natural successor to “Oneiromancer”. It’s still influenced by ancient Persian mythology, it has all you expect from us, and then some more.”

“And then some” is the key here. ‘Vorukasha’ is not only a natural progression for the band but it succeeds in taking us through an expanded journey of the Bismarck universe full of gripping mystic allegory and through vast peaks and valleys of abject heaviness drenched in electric, emotive delivery with pristine production.

Please give Bismarck a warm welcome to the Majestic roster, we’re thrilled to be a part of Bergen’s heaviest doom merchant’s next chapter as we give ‘Vourukasha’ the Majestic treatment for release this coming Summer.

Thanks so much for all your support, Majestic Crew.

More to come, stay tuned!

http://www.bismarck.no
http://bismarck.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/bismarckdoom
http://www.instagram.com/bismarckdoom

majesticmountainrecords.bigcartel.com
facebook.com/majesticmountainrecords/
instagram.com/majesticmountainrecords/

Bismarck, Oneironmancer (2020)