I’ve come to the conclusion that Notodden, Norway’s Leprous, are much like that of an iceberg. Above the surface, the band consistently presents a pristine and captivating show of musicianship, full of instrumental proficiency and impactful songwriting.
However, below the surface, it’s easy to imagine the immense amount of hard work, emotion, creativity, risk, and vision that fuels each final product. It’s these aspects that continue to lend themselves to Leprous’ ever-expanding sound and musical brilliance.
Though their music exists within the realm of prog rock, it’s easy to point out that Leprous cast a much wider net than one genre category can cover. Even though the term “prog” appropriately addresses the band’s explorative and inventive nature, in review, it feels entirely too limiting. I’ve come to appreciate the band’s ability to venture beyond their comfort zone, infusing more pop-oriented, ultramodern ideas to craft such absorbingly impassioned songs.
Continuing to navigate through their musical journey with an open mind, Leprous’ latest effort Aphelion represents a collection of the band’s most dynamic and diverse material to date. Transitioning from Malina (2017) to Pitfalls (2019), Leprous elaborated on their eccentric approaches to songwriting, which emerge much more poised and elegant on Aphelion.
Whether it be the intensified orchestral components, the band’s masterful use of subtlety, the extravagantly theatrical outbursts, or the ongoing vocal magnificence and emotional vulnerability of Einar Solberg, Aphelion capitalizes on all the distinctive qualities listeners of Leprous have come to praise. At the same time, there’s plenty of playful and funky musical segments that continue to animate the overall character of the band’s sound.
As opening track “Running Low” initiates with a simplistic, one-two pulse, Solberg ignites a fire in his voice. Through the recruitment of Raphael Weinroth-Browne on cello, Chris Baum on violin, and Norwegian brass group Blåsemafiaen, symphonic layers generate suspense, allowing the lead single to develop its powerhouse of a hook. Switching gears immediately comes the soft and delicate introduction of “Out Of Here.” Solberg’s mental conflicts manifest through poignant realizations that eventually provoke an electrifying instrumental response.
Something that is noticeably neat about Aphelion is the contrasting elements that allow for each song to possess an identity of its own. Contorting riffs and synthesizers build the bulk of “Silhouette,” while fragile verses erupt within the rock epic “All These Moments.” Demonstrating that they can be as subtle as they are grandiose, masterful song developments take place in both the personal “On Hold” and the breathtaking “Castaway Angels.”
On the other hand, irregular patterns piece together the seductive and swingy “Have You Ever?,” one of my personal favorites on the album. Though Leprous tends to lean towards expanding the scope of their sound, they never abandon the elements that hold their foundation together. There’s a familiarity fans will be able to recognize within the tempo and riffing of “The Silent Revelation,” while “Nighttime Disguise” keeps Leprous’ enigmatic, prog-rock roots fully intact.
What becomes most apparent about Leprous throughout Aphelion is their grasp on song development. Through the use of more open space, subtle instrumentation, softer vocal layering, and symphonic reinforcement, they’ve discovered plenty of new ways to optimize their musical impact.
Drummer Baard Kolstad transmits a raw energy while delivering a whirlwind of percussive fills. Guitarists Tor Oddmund Suhrke and Robin Ognedal continue to get creative use out of their strings, as Simen Børven creates a thick layer of bass to complement each grooving, rhythmic pattern. On top of it all, at the tip of the iceberg, Solberg soars higher than ever before, unleashing what seems like every ounce of his soul through his voice.
Purchase Aphelion here.