Norwegian instrumental rock band Pymlico returns with Core, a new album emphasizing the strength of its current seven-member lineup. Following their performance at Festival Crescendo in France in August 2022, keyboardist Øyvind Brøter proposed maintaining a stable personnel for the next project, marking a departure from the group’s historically rotating cast.
Unlike previous recordings, which often included guest musicians and additional instrumentation, Core focuses exclusively on the core band. The result is a leaner, more organic sound, raw yet melodic, rhythmically driven, and rooted in collective songwriting. The album reflects a unified musical direction, shaped equally by all members, and balances dynamic energy with the band’s trademark grooves and solos.
Since signing with Apollon Records Prog in 2016, Pymlico has released four studio albums: Meeting Point (2016), Nightscape (2018), On This Day (2020), and Supermassive (2022). Core marks their fifth release on the label. Prior to that, the band independently issued three albums and an EP, initially as a studio project led by drummer and composer Arild Brøter. Over time, the studio project evolved into a full-fledged live band.
Pymlico has performed at numerous progressive rock festivals across Europe and South America, including Festival Crescendo (France and French Guiana), Slottsskogen Goes Progressive (Sweden), Artrock i Stadsträdgården (Sweden), Close to the Rain (Norway), and We Låve Rock (Norway), where they’ve been featured four times. The group has also supported and shared stages with artists such as The Flower Kings, The Watch, Frank Carducci, and Magic Pie.