I first encountered Jordsjø in 2018 when I reviewed Jord their first CD release, and was immediately hooked. This then lead to me reviewing a further four albums, each reinforcing the sense of a band steadily refining its craft. I have missed a couple of releases since but it felt right for me to revisit and review this, their ninth release which celebrates their tenth anniversary.
Essentially Jordsjø are a recording partnership of Håkon Oftung and Kristian Frøland, augmented with selected guest musicians. The album is a compact affair totalling just thirty five minutes, and that brevity proves one of its strengths, the quality of the music here is such that hitting that replay button becomes almost instinctive. Across the eight mid length length tracks, from just over three minutes to a shade past five and a half, the duo wear their influences with impressive clarity. They drip with a progressive rock feel, with 70’s inspired prog, German synth traditions, Norwegian folk, and the eerie atmospheres of old horror films all feed into a sound that feels modern yet warmly rooted in the past.
The album is mostly sung in English, though the opener and title track, Pestkrønikene, retains their native tongue. Its grand organ introduction and heavy rock Seventies style riff set a commanding tone before giving way to flute and a gentler passage, the riff returning to drive the song home. Whereas Seven Heads, the third track, offers a bright, uplifting feel with deft flute and guitar interplay.
The fourth and fifth tracks are instrumental and appear to be linked, with Kaosveldets Endelikt coming out of the blocks at furious pace. Guest musician Lars Fredrik Frøslie contributes some wonderful keyboard work that adds real bite. The Awakening follows, with guest vocals from Andreas Prestmo of Wobbler, providing a notable vocal performance in a song that brings a touch of Gentle Giant’s influence into their sound. Spiritual Lament introduces metal drummer Kristian Valbo, who injects a muscular Seventies rock energy. In typical Jordsjø style however a folky interlude appears midway through with a light picked acoustic guitar before we go electric again and the pace picks up reminiscent of Rush.
Throughout, the arrangements are thoughtful and well constructed, reflecting a band that continues to evolve while honouring the elements that define their identity. What began as a collection of studio outtakes from 2020–2025 gradually developed into a fully realised album, thematically linked by ideas of war, upheaval, cults, sects, and the emergence of a new dawn.
Jordsjø have spent a decade fine tuning their sound, and this release feels like a culmination of that journey. It is melodic, occasionally hard‑edged, and consistently beautiful beneath the surface. For newcomers, Pestkrønikene is an ideal entry point as it is a concise showcase of what the band do best. For longtime followers, it’s very likely an essential purchase. I certainly wasn’t disappointed, in fact, it stands among the finest albums I’ve heard this year.
TRACK LISTING
01. Pestkrønikene (4:29)
02. White Magic (4:42)
03. Seven Heads (4:36)
04. Kaosvelde-Vasellens Elegi (3:14)
05. Kaosveldets Endelikt (3:17)
06. The Awakened (4:17)
07. Spiritual Lament (5:41)
08. Talisman II (4:57)
Total Time – 35:17
MUSICIANS
Håkon Oftung – Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Flute
Kristian Frøland – Drums, Percussion
~ With:
Lars Fredrik Frøislie – Keyboards (5)
Andreas Prestmo – Vocals (6)
Kristian Valbo – Drums (7)
Jon A Henriksen Bass (2 & 8)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Dying Victims Productions
Country of Origin: Norway
Date of Release: 24th July 2026
LINKS
Jordsjø – Facebook | Bandcamp | Bandcamp (Dying Victims Productions)
