Anders Buaas – The Witches of Finnmark (Apollon Records Re-Release, 2023)
This album marks the inception of a trilogy inspired by the book “Ved porten til Helvete” (At the Gates of Hell) by the historian Rune Blix Hagen. The witch trials in Finnmark during the 17th century were exceptionally brutal, with stories from that era being both grotesque and simultaneously captivating.
The witch trials in 17th-century Finnmark stood out as one of Europe’s most gruesome and merciless persecutions of humanity. The Nordic regions were considered the gateway to Satan’s domain, a vast hotbed of witchcraft and blasphemy, according to the accusations. Over 90 individuals were condemned to death as practitioners of dark magic.
For the first time, their stories are compiled here. These witch trials were judicial proceedings in which women, in particular, were accused, pursued, and sentenced for “diabolical” forms of sorcery. What set the Finnmark trials apart were their extent, brutality, the content of diabolical confessions, and the Saami influence. This narrative showcases the uniqueness of the witch trials compared to similar instances of human persecution in Norway and other European countries.
The music on this album draws from elements of Norwegian folk music, blues, progressive rock, jazz, and classical music. Inspired by bands and artists like Mike Oldfield, Genesis, King Crimson, Al DiMeola, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jeff Beck, Joe Bonamassa, and others, it embarks on an exciting musical journey against a historical backdrop. Anders Buaas has devoted several years to this music as a side project, with the promise of releasing parts two and three of the trilogy in the future.
Anders says about this album: “The Witches of Finnmark 1 (2017) marked the start of my solo career, finally releasing my own instrumental music. This had been a dream and a goal for me for so many years, and it is so amazing to now see it being re-pressed, as the first pressings have been completely sold out.
“The idea of writing music inspired by the witch trials in Finnmark, had been in my head since 2004, and I had actually written some songs (intended for use with vocals), but something was off. One day it suddenly hit me, this could be done instrumental, as these stories were so strong that lyrics and vocals were really not necessary at all.
“The tracks «The Witches of Finnmark» and «Bitter Winds» were written with vocals in mind, and I found that the melodies were different than typical guitar passages and licks used in guitar based instrumental music. This became a way for me to write better melodies and themes, not using the guitar for writing the main themes, to stay away from guitar clichés. This technique has since then been important to me and has proved successful, as I have so many listeners that do not play guitar, but they appreciate my music for the moods and the themes, and not just a guitar solo bonanza, even though I manage to include some ripping guitar solos as well. 🙂
“I love the dark mood and mix of this first Witches of Finnmark album, a raw and honest expression, not hi quality at all, but it fits the music and the theme very well.”
Anders Buaas (born 1974) is a guitarist, composer, and producer hailing from Larvik, Norway. He boasts a long and storied career in the Norwegian music scene, having been a part of bands such as Gjørmebryterne, Bløff, Absolute Steel, and Jernskjegg, all of which have released albums. He has also served as a touring guitarist for Paul DiAnno (Iron Maiden) and Tim Ripper Owens (Judas Priest). The Witches of Finnmark is his unadulterated personal venture, driven mostly by his own artistic expression, but also in the hope that the music resonates with a broader audience.
Musicians: Anders Buaas on all guitars, keyboards, effects; Rune Erling Pedersen on drums; and Are Gogstad on bass.
Cover art by Yannick Bouchard, ”old witch”