Pymlico, Paper Crown and Gjenferd albums out Now!
Norwegian hard rock band Gjenferd return with their second album Black Smoke Rising, out March 6, 2026.
Building on the strengths of their debut, the new album pushes the band’s sound in a more direct and accessible direction while keeping the darker edge that defines Gjenferd. With guitars and organ at the core, Black Smoke Rising delivers solid riffs, sharper hooks and memorable vocal lines, balancing heaviness with a clear pop sensibility.
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The band’s debut received strong national and international reviews, including a #4 spot on the Doom Charts in May 2024. Musically, Gjenferd draw inspiration from classic heavy rock acts like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, blended with a modern hard rock approach reminiscent of Ghost and Hällas. They’ve also built a reputation for energetic live shows, including appearances at festivals such as Desertfest Oslo.
In late 2022, Pymlico set out to record and film live studio versions of several of their songs. While the videos didn’t fully meet the band’s expectations and only a few were released, the audio captured something special — crisp, energetic and very much alive.
Unlike Pymlico’s usual studio productions, these recordings were performed without backing tracks, loops, sequencers, drum machines or overdubs. What you hear is exactly what was played in the room.
With a large catalogue behind them, the band steps away from layered studio construction and focuses instead on how they play together in real time. These new versions of older tracks capture the group reacting and shaping the arrangements on the spot.
The result is Pymlico at their rawest — closer to their live sound than anything they’ve released before: seven people in a room, playing together. No more, no less.
Paper Crown’s third album Letters marks a bold new chapter for the duo — a confident, playful record filled with nostalgia and new horizons.
Created through a meticulous process, guitarist, producer and songwriter Ørnulv Snortheim and vocalist/lyricist Johanne Kippersund (MEER) worked closely to shape the album’s detailed sound. Letters was recorded and produced at Snortheim’s Dakkota Studio in Hamar, with drummer Børre Flyen contributing throughout and violinist Aud Ingebjørg Barstad adding strings on selected tracks.
Musically, the album blends the organic warmth of 1970s recordings — spacious arrangements and live instrumentation — with clear nods to 1990s alternative pop-rock, driven by strong melodies, distinctive guitars and a spirit of exploration. The result feels both nostalgic and contemporary, making Letters the duo’s most complete release so far.
Lyrically, the songs explore identity, time, relationships and transformation, balancing melancholy, hope and self-irony. Like its title suggests, Letters feels like a collection of messages — to the past, the future, and the people who shape us along the way.