Wobbler-From Silence to Somewhere (2017)

Influenced by the sonic textures of Gentle Giant, the avant-garde of King Crimson, and the baroque sound of Genesis's more pastoral work, the Norwegian band Wobbler is another leading light of modern progressive rock. Founded in the late 20th century in the town of Hønefoss, its mentor and leader is keyboardist Lars Fredrik Frøislie, who, along with Kristian Karl Hultgren (bass), Martin Nordrum Kneppen (drums), Morten Andreas Eriksen (guitars), and Tony Johannessen (vocals), released their first album in the early 2000s with the promising "Hinterland" (2005). After several more releases where they evolved and solidified their rich and original style, they released their magnum opus, "From Silence to Somewhere", in 2017. However, by this point, the lineup had undergone several changes; guitarist Morten Eriksen and vocalist Tony Johannessen were no longer present, replaced by multi-instrumentalist Andreas Wettergreen Strømman and guitarist Marius Halleland. After 18 years in the business, Wobbler was already considered one of the best and most veteran bands on the European progressive scene, and with this release, they perfectly demonstrate that recognition, delivering a work that skillfully fuses Norwegian folk with medieval sounds, psychedelia, and symphonic rock. From their first track "From Silence to Somewhere", a brilliant journey through their diverse roots influences, with enormous instrumental dynamism, to the extensive "Foxlight", where they show different moods ranging from noisy and grandiose rhythms to dreamy acoustic sections, passing through the strident "Fermented Hours", Wobbler managed to create another of the masterpieces of modern progressive rock of the 21st century.