Norwegian progressive rock group Wobbler was established in the picturesque Norwegian countryside, near the majestic waterfalls of Hønefoss, in the spring of 1999. The band harbored a fervent ambition to craft, or perhaps recreate, certain musical expressions reminiscent of the early 1970s. Their aim was to employ the instruments of that era and delve into the intricate compositions that defined the progressive rock movement from 1969 to 1974.
During their formative years, the band toiled diligently, composing music and establishing the groundwork for their desired sound and approach. In a matter of months, they had laid the foundation for a demo, which subsequently evolved into fully developed songs over the following years.
In 2003, several of these songs were recorded at Lars Fredrik Frøislie‘s studio, and a demo was shared online, taking on a life of its own. This led Wobbler to secure a record deal with the American label The Laser’s Edge. At this point, Lars’ collection of vintage keyboards had grown beyond control. He had amassed an assortment of instruments, including the Mellotron, Hammond organ, MiniMoog, Rhodes piano, clavinet, ARP, piano, and harpsichord.
This abundance of equipment paved the way for the elaborate recording of their debut album, Hinterland, which commenced in June 2004. After eight intense months, the album was completed. The excitement generated by the demo songs had reached its peak, and expectations were soaring. In 2005, Wobbler unleashed their debut opus, Hinterland, featuring the epic 28-minute title track. The album was well-received, and the release concert took place in front of an enthusiastic audience at the prestigious NEARfest festival in the United States. Both the concert and the album lived up to the hype, attracting a substantial number of new fans to the band.
The Hinterland lineup included Tony Johannessen on lead vocals; Morten Andreas Eriksen on electric & acoustic guitars; Lars Fredrik Frøislie on glockenspiel, clavinet, Mellotron, Hammond, Minimoog, grand piano, harpsichord; Kristian Karl Hultgren on bass, alto & tenor saxophones; Martin Nordrum Kneppen on drums & percussion. Guests: ; Ketil Vestrum Einarsen on flutes, backing vocals; Ulrik Gaston Larsen on theorbo, baroque guitar; Pauliina Fred on recorder; Aage Moltke Schou on percussion.
In April 2009, the band finally released their second album, Afterglow. It included re-recordings of two old demos and three additional songs composed in 1999. This release built upon the foundation laid by Hinterland and further elevated Wobbler’s profile among a wider international audience.
The musicians on Afterglow were Tony Johannessen on vocals; Morten Andreas Eriksen on electric & acoustic guitars; Lars Fredrik Frøislie on piano, Mellotron, Hammond C3, synthesizers, Hohner clavinet, electric pianos, vocals; Kristian Karl Hultgren on acoustic & electric basses; Martin Nordrum Kneppen on drums & percussion, crumhorn, recorders. Guests: Sigrun Eng on cello; Aage Moltke Schou on percussion, glockenspiel, vibes.
Later in 2009, the band returned to the studio, this time with new vocalist and frontman Andreas Wettergreen Strømman Prestmo. While the compositions on their first two albums had predominantly been instrumental and somewhat characterized by intricate layering, the new material focused more on song structures. The addition of Andreas brought forth a fresh wave of vocal melodies and harmonies.
The band’s third album, Rites at Dawn, was unveiled in 2011, premiering at the Terra Incognita Festival in Quebec, Canada. The album garnered significant acclaim worldwide, earning Wobbler invitations to various festivals across Europe. After a while, founding member Morten Andreas Eriksen departed from the band, and long-time friend Marius Halleland joined as the new guitarist.
Rites at Dawn featured Andreas Wettergreen Strømman Prestmo on vocals; Morten Andreas Eriksen on electric & acoustic guitars; Lars Fredrik Frøislie on Mellotron, Chamberlin, Hammond C3, piano, synths, Rhodes MKII, Hohner clavinet, Wurlitzer, cembalo, Marxophone, backing vocals; Kristian Karl Hultgren on bass, saxophone, glockenspiel; Martin Nordrum Kneppen on drums. Guests: Ketil Vestrum Einarsen on flute; Hanne Rekdal on bassoon.
Following the release of Wobbler’s highly anticipated and critically acclaimed fourth album, From Silence to Somewhere, in 2017, the band embarked on an extensive European and Canadian tour from 2017 to 2019.
The Wobbler cast on From Silence to Somewhere included Andreas Wettergreen Strømman Prestmo on vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, glockenspiel, percussion, brass bell; Marius Halleland on 6- & 12-string acoustic & electric guitars, backing vocals; Lars Fredrik Frøislie on Hammond C3, Mellotron, Minimoog Model D, Chamberlin, Hohner clavinet, Rhodes MKII, spinet, ARP Axxe/Pro Soloist, Solina String Ensemble, Optigan, Wurlitzer 200, Marxophone, grand piano, backing vocals; Kristian Karl Hultgren on bass, bass pedals, woodwinds; Martin Nordrum Kneppen on drums, woodwinds. Guests: Ketil Vestrum Einarsen on flute; Renato Manzi on old man’s voice; Øystein Bech Gadmar on crumhorn.
Notably, Wobbler performed at Europe’s largest progressive festival, Night of the Prog, in 2018. During breaks between concerts, Wobbler dedicated themselves to composing new material for their fifth album. Titled Dwellers of the Deep, the album was released by Karisma Records on October 23rd, 2020.
Wobbler’s fifth offering presents an exciting amalgamation of meticulously planned and improvised compositions that encapsulate the band’s entire musical journey thus far. Dwellers of the Deep comprises four distinct pieces, offering a panoramic view into Wobbler’s creative spontaneity and exuberance. The album showcases the band’s adeptness in manipulating dynamics and seamlessly transitioning between passages and themes that range from serene and scenic to powerfully rocking. In the closing track, Wobbler unleashes a 19-minute suite, immersing the listener in the darker aspects of their sound.
Lyrically, the album explores themes of human emotion and the perpetual struggle between conflicting forces within the psyche. It embarks on an introspective voyage through the realms of memory, feeling, and instinct, where light shines brighter and darkness grows darker. The concepts of awe, yearning, and despair pervade the narratives, while the currents from the depths remain ever-present.
The production of the album is characterized by an expansive, intricate, warm, and effective sound, a testament to the expertise of the seasoned sound alchemist, Lars Fredrik Frøislie. Wobbler’s musical evolution takes them into new territories, solidifying their position as one of the most captivating and innovative bands in the global music landscape, transcending genre boundaries.
The musicians on Dwellers of the Deep were Andreas Wettergreen Strømman Prestmo on vocals, guitars; Marius Halleland on guitars, backing vocals; Lars Fredrik Frøislie on keyboards; Kristian Karl Hultgren on bass; Martin Nordrum Kneppen on drums.
Discography:
Hinterland (The Laser’s Edge, 2005)
Afterglow (Termo Records, 2009)
Rites at Dawn (Termo Records, 2011)
From Silence to Somewhere (Karisma Records, 2017)
Dwellers Of The Deep (Karisma Records, 2020)