Genre: Psychadelic Blues
Produced by Label/Studio: Apollon Records
Format: CD / Album, 42min
https://www.facebook.com/oledevilandthespiritchasers
Rating 80/100
One of the joys, resulting from the mission of reviewing music is getting to know more about the band and its related musicians. The final reward always being the introduction of little-known bands to a much wider audience. Often though, despite spending lengthy periods of research on the band’s website, Google, Discogs and other related social media, very little information can be gleaned. Then is the decision needed whether to pursue the review further or seek an alternative album to examine. Such was the case with ‘Ole Devil and the Spirit Chasers’ an album full of great music but a struggle to gather information. Anyhow, the quality of the music alone won the day and ensured that the review would be published and presented, in the first place, to the band. And then it is always a delight when you hear back, in this case from band manager and vocalist Ann-Christin with the information needed to update the original text. (Thanks Ann-Christin)
An interesting article by ‘Tom Taylor in the magazine ‘Far Out’ opens with “ From utterly insane tales of Kiss frontman Gene Simmons having a cow’s tongue to the satanic panic of Judas Priest sneaking hidden messages into their songs, the devil is often depicted as the despicable puppet master who makes the marionette of rock ‘n’ roll move. It was yelled at Elvis Presley when his hips were first thrusting pop culture into existence, and it continues to this day in the mutated form of musicians being accused of being in the Illuminati. We may have secularised the slander, but rock ‘n’ roll has always been tarred with the brush of Beelzebub” (https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/why-rock-n-roll-is-called-the-devils-music/) A statement that very much enlightens the reason behind the name ‘Ole Devil and the Spirit Chasers’ attributed to the band on review here with their sophomore full-length album. A ten-track homage to the solace of music’s refuge. Influenced by the masters of blues like Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Howling Wolf, Willie Dixon and Robert Johnson.
Hunting around the murky depths of the Oslo blues and club scene, especially in hostelries such as the Brewgata or Apollon and many more besides. There are exceedingly memorable nights to be enjoyed with all manner of live bands treading the boards and strutting their stuff. So this is the scene that sets the tone for the much-deserved review of ‘Ole Devil and the Spirit Chasers’ album ‘Apocolypse Blues’.’
It could be concluded, that within the Oslo club/pub scene, that groups are often made up, of what could be considered a pool of talented musicians. Musicians sharing their skills in an incestuous manner between several different bands. Well anyway, that certainly seems the case with the ‘Ole Devil’ crew, because when checking out the individual members several bands popped up for each of the various musicians.
But actually, that is of little consequence. For example, the title track of the album, ‘Apocalypse Blues’ is a downright sleazy and gritty slice of underground blues-based rock with a twisted psychedelic edge. This in turn graced with a mixture of hot smoking guitar infused within a driving chorus of demented saxophone. All of which is augmented amidst a pulsating backdrop of thrashing stick work. A track that is very much worth the price of the CD alone. It is though, a brilliant album in its entirety, consisting of ten luscious tracks of smoky, in-your-face fast-paced, bluesy intenseness. Such intenseness being intensified by the direct harshness of the vocals presented by the band’s frontman. Such vocals then softened with the melodic and harmonic female accompaniment providing much style and panache
Summary: If your penchant is for treated and screeching guitar work wrapped within an explosive barrage of saxophone layered with a dressing of cool but emphatic vocals. This is an album for you.
The following notes in italics are provided by the band with thanks to Ann-Christin
Apocalypse Blues was recorded between March and August 2021 at various locations. Recorded at Crowtown recordings, Moss: Guitars, piano, synth and lead vocals Ole Christian Teigen Drums performed by Christian Håpnes Svendsen Violin performed by Mircea Bogdan Eremencu Classical guitar performed by Christina Sandsengen Bass recorded and performed in Oslo by Pål Svendsen Additional guitar, keys effects and alså bass on St. James performed and recorded by Fredrik Falk Tambourin and shaker performed and recorded by Fridtjof Linderman in Gøteborg, Sweden Recordet at Høyskoilen Christiania, Oslo: Saxophone performed by Dag Stiberg Vocals by Ann-Christin Willumsen, Anita Antal and Tiril Lill Jacksom All songs written by Ole Teigen except St. James Infirmary Blues, which is a rewrite of a traditional song. Mixed and mastered by Fridtjof Lindeman Lindeman at Svenska Grammafonstudion. Coverart by Pia Isaksen Design.
Apocalypse Blues released September 9th, 2022,
Apollon Records
