Lars Fredrik Fröislie - 2025 - Gamle Mester

(47:13; Karisma Records)

Track list:
1. Demring 5:01
2. Jakten Paa Det Kalydonske Villsvin 10:09
3. Gamle Mester 7:16
4. Medusas Flaate 9:07
5. De Tre Gratier 12:27
6. Skumring 3:13

Line-up:
Lars Fredrik Fröislie - vocals, keyboards, synthesizers, drums, percussion
Nikolai Haengsle - bass
Ketil Einarsen - flute, recorder


Prolusion.
Norwegian artist Lars Fredrik Fröislie is best known for being a key member in Norwegian progressive rock band Wobbler, and he has also worked with other Norwegian progressive rock bands over the years. A few years back he decided to commence on a career as a solo artist too, with two studio albums and one EP being the result of this so far. The most recent of the studio albums is called "Gamle Mester", and was released in the spring of 2025 through Norwegian label Karisma Records.

Analysis.
This is one of those albums that you will place in terms of style and orientation only a few seconds in. This is retro-oriented progressive rock that looks back in time to the era when progressive rock was progressive by default, and when the starts of the show, so to speak, all crafted their art under the symphonic progressive rock umbrella. This is an album that, to my mind at least, celebrates that music and that era.

This is an atmospheric laden creation too, Fröislie doesn't get lost in overly expressive tangents or overt technical displays. The melodies and the harmonies are very well developed, the mood and atmosphere are tangible in an otherworldly and dreamladen kind of manner, but there is also enough depth, contrast and layers to make the landscapes conjured being far from easy listening. There is enough development, alterations as well as details of a subtle as well as not so subtle nature to satisfy the avid listener, but the landscapes also retain an appealing and compelling character for those who listen to music without feeling the need to analyze and deconstruct everything that is going on.

Delicate and careful arrangements ebb back and forth with more powerful and majestic creations.  Folk music details of various kinds find their way into these escapades, the harpsichord (or an instrument with a similar sound) gets a lot of limelight to present its charmingly brittle tones, and layered vintage sounding keyboards have a good, old party here too alongside the organ. Careful moments fore daydreaming, jubilant and uplifting passages to celebrate life, but also darker toned and slightly more ominous escapades to make us aware of a more brooding darkness. Sometimes powerful, sometimes expressive, sometimes frail and on other occasions majestic. With associations going towards bands such as Camel, Genesis, Jethro Tull for the more obvious calls in the association department, and the avid fan of vintage era progressive rock will most likely be able to supplement that list with a score of other artists.

The mix and production have been executed in a manner that adds what I as a listener would describe as a charming, vintage sounding flavor to these compositions too, and as an album experience this is one that takes me back to the first half of the 1970s as far sound goes just as much as style and expression. With well developed compositions being the icing on the cake here for me. A most solid production through and through, especially for those with a passionate affection for the vintage oriented aspects of the progressive rock tradition.

Conclusion.
"Gamle Mester" literally means "Old Master" in the preferred language of the world, and this is an album that, at least on the level of style, sound and expression, celebrates many of the giants of old. What may or may not be a tip of the hat towards the late Jon Lord is present here, and those who know their way around the great keyboard players from decades back will probably find tons of details that inspire the association department in quite the energetic manner. Those with a passionate interest in vintage era symphonic progressive rock should find this album to be quite the rewarding experience I'd suspect, and then in particular those who enjoy music of this kind that balance out the expressive tendencies with compelling and appealing atmospheric landscapes. A solid and most charming trip into the landscapes and music of yesteryear.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, May 2025

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/larsfredrikfroislie/
https://www.karismarecords.no/