Erik Hammarström’s name is perhaps little known to many progressive rock listeners, but it is practically impossible that it is completely new to those who, in the vast prog-rock panorama, turn their attention towards Scandinavia. Erik, in fact, is now a long-time official Änglagård drummer and percussionist, and is also part of All Traps on Earth, born themselves as a project of a member of the same band. The most curious ones will be able to find several other collaborations in Erik’s curriculum, but nothing that can get at least a little closer “Glödhet Rytmisk Svärta”, his solo debut record.
We are in fact facing something truly unique: an extremely intricate and dynamic rhythmic texture, the result of years of study, evolution and practice of the musical instrument, combined with chamber music scores that make Erik’s work seem much easier than it actually is. Jazz-rock, avant-garde and classical music merge here in a sonic brew that, for attitude and originality, recalls the most courageous experiments released by the ECM label. A modern symphony, constantly vibrant and tense, which could perfectly fit also as a soundtrack for a film with a ‘Hitchcockian’ flavor.
The album consists of two long suites, both divided into different movements: a 34-minute title-track, and the shortest 15-minute “Iskallt Mörkt Vatten”, in which Erik plays all the percussion and electric bass, accompanied by bows, brass, clarinet, flute, celesta, harp and bassoon. An incredible and uneasy experience even for the most daring ‘prog connoisseurs’, destined to leave a mark!
Tracklist CD:
A.Glödhet Rytmisk Svärta – A piece for strings, brass, clarinet, flute, celesta, percussion and drums
1.Intro
2.Blåsmaskinen
3.Räckhammaren
4.Vattenhjulet
5.Strävansfull Lunk
6.Stålet Uppvårmning
7.Smältpunkten
8.Rinnande Smälta
9.Flamugn
B.Iskallt Mörkt Vatten – A piece for stings, brass, harp, bassoon, percussion and drums
10.Intro
11.Abstraktion
12.Nära Nollpunkten
13.Hundra Meters Djup
Tracklist LP:
Side A:
A.Glödhet Rytmisk Svärta – A piece for strings, brass, clarinet, flute, celesta, percussion and drums
1.Intro
2.Blåsmaskinen
3.Räckhammaren
4.Vattenhjulet
5.Strävansfull Lunk
6.Stålet Uppvårmning
Side B:
7.Smältpunkten
8.Rinnande Smälta
9.Flamugn
B.Iskallt Mörkt Vatten – A piece for stings, brass, harp, bassoon, percussion and drums
10.Intro
11.Abstraktion
12.Nära Nollpunkten
13.Hundra Meters Djup