Karisma Records release new track ‘Stormwatch’ from upcoming Björn Riis album “A Storm Is Coming”

With its May 3 release date a little under a month away, Karisma Records have released a second single from Bjørn Riis’ upcoming third full-length album A Storm Is Coming.

The single, titled Stormwatch, can be streamed or downloaded at the following: https://karismarecords.fanlink.to/BjornRiis_Stormwatch

According to Riis, Stormwatch did not start out as it ended up:
“Stormwatch originated as a completely different song but after countless rewrites, it turned into a 15 minute piece that in many ways sums up the theme of the new album, “A Storm is Coming”. The lyrics are a dialogue between two individuals, describing the violent tension and frustration in a relationship. As the song progresses, the storm unfolds. I’m very proud of how it turned out. There are a lot of musical references throughout that are sort of a homage to my influences and it was great fun working with both Henrik Bergan Fossum (drums) and Mimi Tamba (vocals). They both delivered outstanding performances.”

With A Storm Is Coming, Riis, also known for his work as the co-founder, songwriter and lead guitarist of Norwegian Prog Rockers AIRBAG, has managed to combine the art of rock, prog and atmospheric pop, to produce a prog rock album laden with atmosphere, and which is both heavier, but at the same time more tender, than his previous releases.

With its themes of human relationships and loss, A Storm Is Coming is written as a dialogue between two people. Formed of six epic songs and clocking in at 51 minutes, the album was recorded at the Subsonic Society in Oslo, mixed by long-time collaborator Vegard Kleftås Sleipnes, and mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo (WHITE WILLOW, THE OPIUM CARTEL).

In addition to Bjørn Riis on vocals, guitars and a wide variety of instruments, the album features performances by Henrik Bergan Fossum (AIRBAG) on drums, Simen Valldal Johannessen (OAK) on keys, Ole Michael Bjørndal on guitar, Kristian Hultgren (WOBBLER) on bass, and Mimmi Tamba on guest vocals.

In other news, Bjørn Riis next live appearance will be on the 17 May at the three-day Terra Incognita Festival in Quebec, Canada, where fellow Karisma Records label-mates AIRBAG and OAK are also scheduled to perform.

In September he is also set to appear at the 2 Days Prog + 1 Festival in Veruno, Italy.

Airbag co-founder, songwriter and lead guitarist, Bjørn Riis will release a new studio album titled A Storm Is Coming on May 3rd, following up last year’s acclaimed mini album Coming Home. Six epic songs clocking in at 51 minutes, built around the central themes of human relations and loss, written as a dialogue between two persons.

A Storm Is Coming is both heavier and more tender than the previous releases, and Bjørn Riis manages to majestically combine the art of rock, prog and atmospheric pop – resulting in his best album to date.

The album was recorded in Subsonic Society in Oslo, mixed by long-time collaborator Vegard Kleftås Sleipnes, and mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo (White Willow, The Opium Cartel). In addition to a limited Digisleeve CD version, two different vinyl versions will be released: A limited, one-time pressing on marble vinyl with an alternate portrait album cover, and a standard version on black vinyl. Both versions will be 180g vinyl.

In addition to Bjørn Riis on vocals, guitars and a wide variety of instruments, the album features Henrik Bergan Fossum (Airbag) on drums, Simen Valldal Johannessen (Oak) on keys, Ole Michael Bjørndal on guitar, and Mimmi Tamba on guest vocals.