Black Smoke Rising
Apollon, 2026
9/10
This sophomore album from the Norwegian rockers Gjenferd sees the quartet expanding into firmer songwriting, brighter hooks and an overall more cohesive approach.
Samuel Robson Gardner’s animated bass opens up the bouncy spirit of “Crimson Rain”, where lively melodies populate the climate, and “Bound To Fall” follows with Jakob Særvoll’s playful keys that complement the thick and chugging harmonics.
“The Thrill” arrives in the middle and benefits from Sivert Kleiven Larsen’s acrobatic drumming amid the arena rock ready delivery, while “Stillferd” trims the pace back with Vegard Bachmann Strand’s intimate guitar and dreamy keys.
Landing near the end, “Ride On” recruits spacey ideas into the mesmerizing and dense rock dynamics that make this the album’s best, and “Bliss” exits with firm guitar, a rowdy rhythm section and Særvoll’s raw but tuneful pipes guiding the hard rock fun.
A diverse effort that flirts with psychedelic, stoner and doom rock, Gjenferd’s formula isn’t short on powerful bouts, charged riffs and even some subtle pop buried under the fury.
Travels well with: A Flying Fish- El Pez Que Voló Act II; Whispers Of Granite- Liquid Stone