Norwegian punk rockers Freedumb are gearing up to release their album “The Wasted Years” this November, and they’re giving fans a taste of what’s to come with their latest single, “Guilt Trip.” Harkening back to the mid-2000s MySpace era, the track holds a nostalgic charm for long-time followers who remember the band’s energetic performances between 2005 and 2009.

 

https://orcd.co/guilttrip – streaming

 

 

“Guilt Trip” captures the essence of Freedumb’s roots, a song that was a staple in their live sets during their formative years. The track is a testament to the band’s enduring spirit and showcases their original lineup: Torstein Eriksen (bass/vocals), Thomas Walland Hansen (guitar), and Ole Vanem (drums, backing vocals). These seasoned musicians have been integral parts of various notable bands such as Norsk Råkk, Knuste Ruter, North of North, Friksjon, Skavanker, Hevn, The Supervisors, Morte Cerebrale, and Everything But Fun.

 

The studio recordings for “The Wasted Years” took place in 2011 at Cantus Studio in Oslo. Originally intended as the follow-up to their debut album, “The Freedumb Curse,” released in 2010, these plans were shelved, and some of the songs found a home on the album “Feeding The Tapeworm” (2016). Fast forward to 2021, during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Torstein Eriksen unearthed the Cantus recordings and embarked on a creative journey to finalize lyrics and vocals for several instrumental tracks. The result is a 2023 album comprising nine tracks, with five songs in English and four in Norwegian.

 

2023 marks Freedumb’s 20th anniversary as a band, making it a fitting year for the release of “The Wasted Years.” Since their inception in 2003 in Moss, Freedumb has been a driving force in the punk rock and hardcore scenes, captivating audiences both domestically and internationally. The band is an integral part of the DIY collective “Tonehjulet Kräftpest,” based in Halden.

 

“The Wasted Years” will mark Freedumb’s sixth studio album, a testament to their resilience and artistic evolution. Throughout their journey, Torstein Eriksen (vocals/bass/songwriter) has remained a constant force, driving the band’s ethos and creative direction.