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Adventure — Tales of Belle, Part 1: Across the Ocean
(Apollon Records ARP055, 2022, CD / LP / DL)

by Henry Schneider, Published 2022-07-29

Tales of Belle, Part 1: Across the Ocean Cover art

There is certainly a quite vibrant prog rock scene in Norway these days. The six-piece Adventure — Kjell Myran: (vocals), Elen Cath Hopen (vocals, piano, and flute), Terje Flessen (guitar), Odd-Roar Bakken (Hammond organ and synths, also in Kornmo), Terje Craig (vvocals, bass, and synths), and Alf Helge Lund  (drums and percussion) — has been making music since 2000 with their latest album Tales of Belle, Part 1:  Across the Ocean being their fifth release. They took advantage of the  pandemic to spend the time writing and recording this concept album about Belle Gunness, née Brynhild Paulsdatter Størset in 1859.  Belle grew up very poor in the parish of Selbu near Trondheim and then emigrated to the US in 1881, settling in Chicago. Before she vanished in 1908, Belle became one of the worst serial murderers the world has seen. Adventure researched her story and wrote the lyrics for part one of this concept project. Thematically, the album features eleven songs covering her life in Norway, traveling across the Atlantic, and settling in Chicago. Part two of this tragic tale is due for release at the end of the year. Now to the music, Adventure uses metal prog, symphonic prog, and folk themes propelled by guitar, Hammond organ, and vocal harmonies to convey Belle’s heartbreaking life. She was abused as a child and teen, consequently losing several children, and taken advantage of as an adult. The music is quite enjoyable, at times gothic due to the subject matter, and varies in mood from track to track. I am looking forward to Part 2 where we learn more about Belle and her murder spree. Not exactly an uplifting topic, but probably driven by the feelings of despair caused by the early days of the pandemic.

Filed under: New releases, 2022 releases

Related artist(s): Adventure

More info
http://adventure1.bandcamp.com/album/tales-of-belle-part-1-across-the-ocean

 

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