Although I have known about this band for years and have reviewed their albums in the now worryingly distant past, I had no idea at the time that they were big Cardiacs fans, as this was before my own Cardiacs epiphany. Their fandom was only apparent when one of the band (sorry, I forget which one!) had my spare ticket for the last tribute to Tim gig in London. Lovely fellas too!
Is the Cardiacs fandom evident in the tuneage on their new waxing? Well, now I know of their love for the world of Tim, their penchant for epic, building tunes of cinematic intent, and the stentorian and majestic chord progressions scattered throughout Forever Now certainly show the connection, but there’s more to them than that, much more, as Gösta Berlings Saga have been going since the turn of the century, well long enough to have established their own identifiable sound, and it is here in abundance. That sound runs the gamut of human emotions, can be a life-affirming thing, and is occasionally breathtaking! Opening track Full Release sees the hounds of Valhalla straining at the leash to the backing of Hel’s own brass band! At least that’s how my head interprets it. This melds into Through The Arches, a fast-paced and joyous charge through Elysian fields, taking the cause on to a higher plane.
The wide-open vistas of this instrumental band’s music is not held back by the lack of a singer and lyrics. One’s imagination is easily stirred by such expansive choons as the title track, and the final track Ceremonial. Forever Now is a trademark slice of Gösta sonic layer cake, a thoroughly uplifting piece of music.
In between those two, we have calming interludes, short pieces that serve to let us get our bearings before heading out once more into the wondrous beyond. Fragments II is busier, like a butterfly dancing around in the sunlight. It’s rhythmic sensibilities are carried forward to Ascension where keyboards and guitars strive purposefully over a rising chord sequence that can only make you smile in appreciation. Dog Years opens with an undercurrent of menace and is suspenseful and creepy throughout, in keeping with the inspiration for the band name, taken from the mysterious epic prose of the 19th century Swedish novel of the same name.
This air of malevolence just below the surface continues until we reach the final track, Ceremonial, which lifts the album from its no doubt intentional thematic doldrums, which are nonetheless highly listenable, I hasten to point out! Ceremonial will put a spring in your step and wonder in your soul.
The highly involving instrumental proggery that forms Forever Now is a joy to sit through for its near 44 minutes and is a barrelling tumultuous journey that leaves you breathless but elated.
TRACK LISTING
01. Full Release (2:33)
02. Through The Arches (5:50)
03. Arrangements (0:55)
04. Forever Now (8:11)
05. The Sprig and the Birch (1:49)
06. Fragment II (2:23)
07. Ascension (5:19)
08. Dog Years (6:53)
09. Make Of Your Heart A Stone (3:27)
10. Ceremonial (6:08)
Total Time – 43:30
MUSICIANS
Gabriel Tapper – Bass
Jesper Skarin – Percussion
David Lundberg – Keys
Rasmus Booberg – Guitars
Alexander Skepp – Drums
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Pelagic Records
Country of Origin: Sweden
Date of Release: 6th June 2025
LINKS
Gösta Berlings Saga – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | Instagram
