Panzerpappa – Landsbysladder (Apollon Records Prog, 2025)
The Norwegian avant-progressive rock group Panzerpappa has just released its eighth studio work, a fine concept album named Landsbysladder. The title translates as “village gossip.” The record presents seven instrumental pieces that examine rumors, relationships, and small-town drama.
As the band’s first concept album in its 25-year history, Landsbysladder relies on recurring elements that evolve across tracks to reflect how stories spread. Open, melodic passages alternate with sudden, elaborate, inventive sections, creating swift shifts in mood and momentum.
The band’s sound is characterized by virtuosic performances and interplay delivered on mesmerizing electronic wind instrument (EWI), wonderful guitar, keyboards, and jazzy saxophone. Musically, Panzerpappa incorporates early Happy the Man influences, the accessible side of avant-rock, and a certain degree of quirkiness.
The concept traces back to the debut …passer gullfisk (2000), which included “Landsbysladder,” and returned as “Landsbysladder 3” on Pestrottedans (2016). A reimagined version of the original theme appears in “Landsbyminiatyr.” The new album synthesizes traits heard on Pestrottedans, a mix of Canterbury prog, symphonic rock, and chamber elements, with the more spacious writing explored on Summarisk Suite (2019).
Musicians: Steinar Børve on saxophones, EWI; Trond Gjellum on drums and percussion; Anders K. Krabberød on bass; Jarle G. Storløkken on guitar; and Torgeir Wergeland Sørbye on keyboards.
Guest contributors include Rannveig Djønne on diatonic accordion; Silje Hveem Lofthus on flute; Håkon Stene on tuned percussion; Håkon Børve on contra-alto clarinet; and Ståle Storløkken on synthesizer.
The band recorded and produced the album between 2023 and 2025.
Written and arranged by Panzerpappa. Mixed by Trond Gjellum. Mastered by Kjetil Bergseth.
Buy Landsbysladder.