robec – the forest is too loud (Gymnocal Industries, 2025)
Robec, the solo project of former Ocean of Lotion member Marius T. Røbech, released an instrumental album titled the forest is too loud. Based in Bergen, Norway, Røbech moves from guitar-led band work into a landscape built on melodic electronics, pulsating synthesizers, mesmerizing synth soundscapes, repetitive grooves, and psychedelic progressive rock guitars.
The forest is too loud features drummer Sondre Veland (Major Parkinson, Wardruna), with mastering by Jørgen Træen and cover art by Ana Jorge.
The lead single “unknown overture” runs close to seven minutes and centers on a melodic theme that shifts between optimism and melancholic turns. The track builds gradually toward a large-scale finale, and a mid-song guitar entrance that reaches its structural peak.
The second single, “nikhedonia”, has a jazz-rock feel, with a steady, driving groove. The album ends with the title song, a piece that begins with calm piano and grows in intensity, reaching a classic progressive rock high energy climax at the end.