For more than three decades, Taake has balanced tradition and innovation while maintaining their uncompromising independence and continually pushing their own creative boundaries. This vision takes on a new form with their ninth full-length album, En Skog av Nidstang.

After years of increasing isolation, detached from contemporary trends and largely shielded from the influence of other music, songwriter Hoest’s creative drive has only grown stronger. The result is four expansive compositions that flow naturally from the inspired state of mind behind the critically acclaimed 2023 album Et Hav av Avstand.

The recordings of En Skog av Nidstang were completed south of Bergen, surrounded by the moss-covered forests of the island of Borgøy. In this mystical landscape, previously immortalized by the ill-fated painter Lars Hertervig, Taake embraced their secluded surroundings. Rather than relying on modern technology and studio tools, they placed their trust in intuition, isolation, creativity, and a masterful command of the genre’s most fundamental tools.

And it sounds unmistakably like Taake. Relentless riffs collide with dark brooding, ice-cold melodies emerge, and moments of desolate contemplation give way to unrestrained aggression. The result is an album that celebrates the enduring power of an unwavering artistic vision, proving that after 33 years, Taake remains every bit as vital, distinctive, and relevant.

Support: Sonisk Blodbad