LEPROUS SCALE NEW HEIGHTS WITH SUMPTUOUS NEW ALBUM AND EXTENSIVE TOUR
Andy Rawll 14th September 2017
Norway's acclaimed progressive rockers Leprous have just released their much-anticipated new studio album, 'Malina', via InsideOutMusic and will soon head out on an extensive headlining tour of Europe.
See below for full tour details and a review of 'Malina' by Andy Rawll.
The band assert that the new album represents a progression from its predecessor:
"The writing of the album started out with the idea to perfect the sound and working method we began with on 'The Congregation'. Gradually we realised what needed to be done. This album needs to sound more alive, more organic and more dynamic. The longer into the process the more obsessed we got with this idea."
Debut single 'From The Flame' sets out the template, with an accompanying and atmospheric video directed by David Solbjørg.
".. definitely one of our favourite tracks from the album, with a strong hook and memorable melodies. Despite it sounding big and catchy, it also sounds pretty organic and it has a depth to it."
The latest taster is the album's second single ,'Stuck (Radio Edit)' with a video directed by Troll Toftenes:
"...straight to the point, groovy and has probably the guitar and bass sound on the album that we're most happy with. Doing a performance video, directed by Troll Toftenes, supports the dynamics of the music in a great way!"
Leprous: 'Malina' (Inside Out) by Andy Rawll
Prog by style and prog in deed, Norway's Leprous embody the very essence of the genre. With each of their previous albums embracing the urge to evolve and extend from its predecessor, their progressive unpredictability is enthralling for some and infuriating for others.
Yet, their sixth album builds on their eclectic past to deliver another stunning album of grooves, moods and sonic twists that defy categorisation. Overall, this mines a more symphonic seam than previous albums and prog Metal moments, although present, are far from dominant.
Hypnotically pulsating opening track, 'Bonneville', and 'Mirage' recall Å Kerfeld-Wilson's gorgeously ethereal 'Storm Corrosion'. Recent single 'Stuck' starts more conventionally with a sinewy riff that recalls Coheed and Cambria then propels into a triumphant Pain of Salvation style chorus, enhanced by an awesome coda fuelled by an undercurrent of melancholic strings.
As ever, Einar Solberg's extraordinary voice provides the talismanic force that powers the entire album. On the Mars Volta meets Muse 'Illuminate' his powerful upper register voice is more than equal to Matt Bellamy and offers far greater emotional range and subtlety of delivery. Indeed, frenetic Voltan rhythms and melodies permeate a number of tracks, none more than 'Coma' with its breakneck drumming, dreamy vocals and counterpointed keyboards.
A fine addition to the Leprous canon that may confuse some with its amalgam of styles, but should entice many more with its refreshingly unique palette and sonic artistry.
Tracklisting: 1. Bonneville (05:28) 2. Stuck (06:48) 3. From The Flame (03:51) 4. Captive (03:43) 5. Illuminate (04:21) 6. Leashes (04:09) 7. Mirage (06:48) 8. Malina (06:15) 9. Coma (03:55) 10. The Weight Of Disaster (06:00) 11. The Last Milestone (07:30)
2006s self-produced demo/debut album, 'Aeolia', was followed by label releases: 'Tall Poppy Syndrome' (2009); 'Bilateral' (2011); 'Coal' (2013); 'The Congregation' (2015).
Leprous will head out on an extensive headlining tour of Europe starting next month to promote 'Malina', together with special guests Agent Fresco from Iceland, plus Australia's AlithiA and fellow Norwegians Astrosaur.
Leprous and Agent Fresco: 22nd October: Moscow (Russia) – Volta 23rd October: St. Petersburg (Russia) – ClubZal
Leprous, Agent Fresco, AlithiA and Astrosaur European Tour: 24th October: Helsinki (Finland) – Tavastia 25th October: Jyväskyla (Finland) – Lutakko 26th October: Tampere (Finland) – Olympia 28th October: Copenhagen (Denmark) – Pumpehuset 29th October: Hamburg (Germany) – Logo 30th October: Cologne (Germany) – Luxor 31st October: Esch (Luxembourg) – Rockhal 1st November: Haarlem (The Netherlands) – Patronaat 2nd November: London (UK) – The Dome 3rd November: Dublin (Ireland) – Voodoo Lounge 4th November: Leeds (UK) – Damnation Festival 5th November: Vosselaar (Belgium) – Biebob 6th November: Paris (France) – Trabendo 7th November: Nantes (France) – Barakason 8th November: Bordeaux (France) – Rocher Palmer 9th November: Madrid (Spain) – Sala But 10th November: Barcelona (Spain) – Sala Bikini 11th November: Toulouse (France) – Le Metronum 12th November: Marseille (France) – Le Moulin 13th November: Milan (Italy) – Magnolia 14th November: Lyon (France) – CCO Villeurbanne 15th November: Winterthur (Switzerland) – Salzhaus 16th November: Colmar (France) – Grillen 17th November: Munich (Germany) – Strom * 18th November: Vienna (Austria) – Szene 19th November: Budapest (Hungary) – A38 20th November: Prague (Czech Republic) – Rock Café 21st November: Warsaw (Poland) – Proxima 22nd November: Berlin (Germany) – Musik & Frieden 23rd November: Aarhus (Denmark) – Atlas 25th November: Oslo (Norway) – Vulkan Arena
The Haarlem show has been upgraded to the main hall due to high ticket sales. Other shows are close to being sold out.