Ribozyme - 2023 - Celestial Low

(34:24; Apollon Records)

Track list:
1. Newly Defeated 4:08
2. Bloodworks 4:21
3. Rapidly Changed 4:06
4. Order 4:02
5. Celestial Low 3:10
6. Bleacher 4:24
7. Biggest Upset 4:44
8. Square 5:29

Line-up:
Cato Olaisen - drums
Baard Kristinson - bass
Kjartan Ericson - vocals, guitars
Thomas Lönnheim - guitars


Prolusion.
Norwegian band Ribozyme can celebrate a quarter of a century as an active band now in 2023, with a good number of albums to their name and what appears to be a steadily growing reputation as a studio band as well as a live act. This fall they released their eighth album "Celestial Low" through Norwegian label Apollon Records.

Analysis.
While I do write this review for a progressive rock website, I really don't consider this to be a band that falls strictly within the parameters for prgoressive rock as such. It is, however, one of the many bands out there that makes use of elements we also encounter among progressive rock bands, and they will also approach the progresive rock universe in a more purebred manner from time to time. Hence this is more of a case of a band and an album that may interest some people within the progressive rock sphere, but where their main audience exist outside of this universe.

As a general description I believe hard rock is the most appropriate one for the landscapes explored on this production, although the band do include some more intense moments that close in on metal tendencies on occasion. The songs alternate between being more straight forward affairs and creations that come with a more complexd and quirky expression, and the songs will either stay tight and energetic throughout or ebb and flow between energetic modes, more atmospheric laden ones and sections that have more of a grandiose or majestic expression. The vocals tend to stay controlled and melodic, with occasional lapses into more powerful and emotional laden surges.

In the subsets of the hard rock landscape, I'd say that the primary direction this band takes resides within the alternative rock tradition, with a sometime inclusion of indie rock elements. Quite a few of the songs also include regular inclusions of elements I tend to associate with grunge and stoner rock, with booming low notes as well as gentler psychedelic details both being specific details present I associate with these latter traditions. As far as the alternative side goes we have both a more retro-oriented garage rock sound that is used sparingly but to good effect as well as a more contemporary noise rock flavoring going on, the latter executed in such a manner that it also takes on some post-rock style textured and harmonic tendencies at times. This latter detail, alongsidew with the occasionally more quirky rhythmk department and song structure, are probably the main progressive rock elements of note here. An additional feature, that may well be accidental, is the use of some impact moments that did give me associations towards mid 80's Rush. For some reason or other there were certain moments or certain passages that did remind me ever so slightly about bands like Muse too, but not in such a clear manner that I can really pinpoint these associations to specific parts of the music, but rather with a more general association due to the combination of mood, atmosphere and the overall alternative vibe of this album.

This is a veteran band that comes across as secure in their songwriting and with a keen sense of how they want their material to sound and what they want to convey. Hence the mix and production suits the landscapes explored really well, and is of a generally high quality throughout too. This is a band that has been around the block a few times, and it is easy to hear thay they have managed to use that experience to good effect on all levels and all aspects of this album.

Conclusion.
While the music that Ribozyme provides us with on this album isn't inside of a progressive rock context as such, it is a production with material that makes use of elements pulled in from this musical universe and that does flirt with progressive hard rock just a little bit on occasion. This is a solid production on all levels too, with songs that manage to stay interesting and intriguing throughout. While I'd say that those with an affection for an inclusive and expressive variety of alternative hard rock will be the main audience for this album, I suspect that quite a few of those who enjoy the more alternative varieties of progressive rock and progressive hard rock may also find this to be an interesting production.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, November 2023

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/ribozyme
https://www.apollonrecords.no/