Megalodon - The Triumph (2019) [Official Digital Download]

Already with their debut album from 2015, the seven-member band, consisting of Norwegian and Swedish musicians, caused a sensation. All band members have a common background, having studied jazz at the Trondheim University of Science and Technology. The band includes musicians named below: Karl Hjalmar Nyberg (saxophone), Martin Myhre Olsen (saxophone), Petter Kraft (saxophone), Karl Bjorå (guitar), Aaron Mandelmann (double bass), Andreas Winther (drums) and Henrik Lødøen (drums).

With "All The Things We Are" (sic!) Opens the collective from Trondheim his album. Then follow "Global Warming", "The Triumph" and "Junk". "Polaris" and "Pontiac" are more tracks on the album, which concludes with "The End".

The band is by no means quiet. The sometimes screeching, grunting, purring, snarling, gossiping, gossiping saxophones are responsible for a certain amount of rabble and riot. Two drummers are responsible for a lot of rhythmic waves, for example ignoring the sonorous sound of the baritone saxophone as in "Remembering Gazelloni". Incidentally, this piece also features fusion of the 1980s, but also the likes of free jazz.

Percussive and with a pinch of Surf Sound, mixed with the sound of The Venture, "All The Things We Are" begins. The tempo is rather slow defying the demanding drummer. A brass choir appears, clenched and at the same time endowed with a certain modesty. The swirling percussion game does not change that much. Gradually, it appears that a crescendo is on the agenda. But the ultimate discharge will be over.

In the following, the ensemble deals with "Global Warming", a highly rhythmic piece. Blues scream, fall into short trills, relax. Rather free game is announced. Flaps of the sax become the sound source. Is not there a baritone saxophone with a deep voice in action? Words and words are exchanged, while the drummer provides rhythmic jumps. Unrest is indicated. Sound clutter takes up space. "Order Force" seems the drummer alone. Frenzied pulse beats resemble the game, with and without purring the saxophone.

No, fanfares of triumph have not been woven into the piece "The Triumph". Against the omnipotence of the winds Karl Bjorå sets with his sometimes yowling guitar passages a counterpoint. The drumming seems unbridled. An intricate sound picture is painted by one of the saxophonists, following the tracks left by the guitarist. Like a fast spinning roller, this sounds like what we hear afterwards.

Is it a soprano saxophone that we can initially identify with "Polaris"? Soft focus is the focus, even if the other saxophonists speak out. Afterwards, the bassist with his solo is at the center of the musical event. It sounds as if you light-footed climb up a ladder or rush up the stairs in the steep slopes of vineyards, always mindful of traction. Oh, there's a hint of Hawaiian guitar sound as the saxophones position themselves. What an unexpected turn!

The end of the album has a rather banal title: "The End". Memories of the known are awakened at the first few bars. Cannonball Adderley revisited about? Then it goes on a rapid sound journey and the impression of Canonball Adderley hardened - or yet Duke Ellington? During the interim hearing, the closeness to Abdullah Ibrahim becomes apparent. Sound quotes were built in any case. But from whom do they come from? A snarling and grunting saxophone solo then distracts from such thoughts of any eclecticism. In addition, the piece drifts more and more into open forms. A sound inferno is celebrated loudly - and that until the end of "The End".

Tracklist:

1. All the Things We Are 04:10
2. Global Warming 05:43
3. The Triumph 05:55
4. Junk 04:20
5. Remembering Gazzelloni 07:30
6. Paradise 04:42
7. Pontiac 03:12
8. Polaris 06:14
9. When Will We Meet Again? 05:22
10. The End 07:10

Personnel:

Karl Hjalmar Nyberg, Saxofon
Martin Myhre Olsen, Saxofon
Petter Kraft, Saxofon
Karl Bjorå, Gitarre
Aaron Mandelmann, Kontrabass
Andreas Winther, Schlagzeug
Henrik Lødøen, Schlagzeug



All thanks go to the original releaser