Soft Ffog: Soft Ffog

Guitarist Tom Hasslan (Krokofant) drummer, Axel Skalstad (Krokofant) bassist, Trond Frønes (Red Kite, Grand General) and keyboardist Vegard Lien Bjerkan (WIZRD) debut on this new sub-label (It It Jazz?) by the venerable Nordic prog rock label Karisma. The musicians formed this unit back in 2016 but for various reasons took some time getting it together. Respectively, they have resided within the heart of Scandinavian progressive jazz, jazz rock and offshoot genres, also performing with the noteworthy ensembles noted above. Coinciding with the new record label's vision, the group focuses on heavy doses of improvisation interlaced with tangible song-forms. Nonetheless, the artists crank the volume up as Hasslan provides one sonic shockwave over another and shreds his guitar into micro-fragments. Yet, the group's manifesto resides within a democratic methodology.

With doses of prog metal, funk and prog seeding and the jazz element, they generate a robust soundstage along with extended jams and doomsday-like Black Sabbath mini-motifs as they often zoom in for the kill. Moreover, Bjerkan's coarse synth lines and melodic treatments sparkle atop the impact-driven rhythm section.

On "Chun Li," the musicians impart some classic blues rock grooves and shuffle things up after the guitarist's breakneck solos, leading to a scorching musical climate towards closeout. But the keyboardist stretches out during "Zangief," transforming the modality into a swerving gait, amped by a dynamic and harmonious rock-based theme framed on Hasslan's rowdy guitar-slinging amid a catchy finale.

The final track intimates early King Crimson, spiked by Frønes' prominent anchoring and more of Bjerkan's gritty synth notes that spark vivid imagery of Crimson's one-time violinist David Cross' angular and emphatic staccato phrasings. With alternating grooves via hard and heavy thematic buildups, the quartet lashes through alternating currents and bountiful improvisations that soar to parts unknown. Hence, it is an inspiring inauguration for this young record label. (Play it LOUD).

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