Gåte — EP

In the last few years bands like Hedningarna, Hoven Droven, Garmarna and Gjallarhorn have been experimenting with contemporary pop, jazz and rock combined with traditional Scandinavian music. In Norway there were hardly any signs of this phenomenon with the exception of some activity in the black metal scene.

Finally a very young band released an untitled EP with a dark, electronic rockversion of their Norwegian roots. Hailing from the Trondheim area Gåte started out as a duo (Gunnhild and Sveinung Sundli) and played as support act for Garmarna. This performance was so promising that the duo has been expanded into a quintet: a classic rock line-up augmented by electronics and violin. This release contains very powerful and modern interpretations of Norwegian folksongs. 16-year old singer Gunnhild has an impressive voice: powerful and sometimes almost scary. The rest of the band do not sound like their age either.

With a mixture of ambient, rock and a slightly industrial production (by Seigmen/Zeromancer vocalist Alex Møklebust) their music sounds typically Scandinavian with its cold and dark atmosphere. It’s reminiscent of the louder tracks by Garmarna and some parts (Liti Kjersti especially) make me think of The 3rd & The Mortal (incidentally also from Trondheim). The last song Storås resembles Hoven Drovens Timas Hans: also a heavy rock version of a Scandinavian waltz.

The quality of this EP sets high expectations for the full-length CD that is planned for autumn this year. Until then: try to get this sensational EP!