Norwegian progressive rock ensemble Panzerpappa returns on August 22, 2025, with Landsbysladder, their eighth studio album and first fully conceptual work. Released via Apollon Records Prog, the album explores the nature of rumors, interpersonal dynamics, and small-town intrigue, entirely through instrumental compositions.
The title Landsbysladder translates to “village gossip,” and the music reflects this theme through shifting tempos, evolving motifs, and contrasting moods. Across seven tracks, the band evokes the unpredictable spread of hearsay, from subtle suggestion to full-blown drama.
Drawing on elements from earlier releases, Pestrottedans (2016) and Summarisk Suite (2019), the album combines Canterbury-style prog, symphonic sounds, and chamber-like arrangements. However, Landsbysladder emphasizes thematic continuity more than ever, weaving recurring musical ideas into a cohesive narrative arc.
The concept traces back to the group’s debut, …passer gullfisk (2000), which featured an early version of the title track. Variations of that piece have reappeared over the years, most notably as “Landsbysladder 3” on Pestrottedans. Now, in “Landsbyminiatyr,” the original theme resurfaces in reimagined form, linking past and present.
The album also includes contributions from a diverse group of guest musicians: Rannveig Djønne (diatonic accordion), Silje Hveem Lofthus (flute), Håkon Stene (tuned percussion), Håkon Børve (contra-alto clarinet), and jazz keyboardist Ståle Storløkken (Elephant9, Supersilent).
Landsbysladder was recorded and produced by Panzerpappa between 2023 and 2025.
Musicians: Steinar Børve on saxophones, EWI; Trond Gjellum on drums, percussion; Anders K. Krabberød on bass; Jarle G. Storløkken on guitar; and Torgeir Wergeland Sørbye on keyboards.