ANDERS BUAAS – Trollringen

RELEASE YEAR: 2025
BAND URL: https://andersbuaas.bandcamp.com/album/trollringen

The epic and ambitious trilogy titled The Witches of Finnmark (2017-2019) by the immensely talented Anders Buaas was a captivating musical saga, and I was therefore rather curious as to whether something sporting the intriguing title Trollringen would somehow follow in that same vein or perhaps be more akin to the excellent Edinburgh Suite (2022) in terms of tone and style.

The truth is that although his brand-new opus contains all the quirks, trademarks, and melodic sensibilities of past efforts, Trollringen feels distinctly different. Its atmospheric prog rock leanings and influences are evident throughout, and the arrangements are rather clever without any of the compositions losing focus or cohesion, but it embodies an emotional depth that I have never encountered in his discography before. Whereas Anders usually crafts instrumental songs, this 2025 offering boasts some truly wonderful and evocative vocals performed by renowned singers such as Tanya Wells, Tim Condor, and Miriam Kjølen. The concept and lyrics are rooted in history and directly inspired by author Sigurd Hoel’s novel from which the title of this record is lifted, and that makes for a rather interesting journey through sophisticated prog-ish landscapes filled with exquisite melodies that highlight the dramatic quality of the words and lyrical narrative.

Trollringen is a robust, well-produced, and oftentimes beguiling musical document that has been meticulously crafted and worked out, and it simply resonates more with this scribe than previous albums. Beautiful stuff with lots of influences and elements from jazz and folk rock woven gently into the mix.