Norwegian progressive band Gazpacho returns with the single “8-Ball,” paired with a Matt Vickerstaff–directed video informed by the constricting dynamics of cults.
The track leads the band’s first album in five years, titled Magic 8-Ball. Its concept centers on randomness and inevitability, seeking answers you already suspect, and the notion of infinity, as stories recur in different forms and familiar patterns.
The album adheres to Gazpacho’s familiar sound. The band has built a dedicated following through art-rock ambition and cinematic storytelling. Highlights include Night (2007) and Demon (2014).
Speaking about the new video, the band shared: “We removed God and left nothing to replace him. We started believing in thevoid,d handing everything over to chance. Magic 8 Ball is about someone who gambles everything, believing that eventually everyone gets their break. That the universe is fair if you just wait long enough. But the break never comes. He loses everything and is left with the realization that it was never fate, only his own choices. His responsibility. His idea.
“We didn’t become more rational. We just found new things to believe in and built a new magical reality to replace the one we tore down. Stocks. Crypto. Luck. Magical ideas pretending to be modern.
“The video, created by the insanely talented Matt Peaceville, is a found recruitment tape from The Cult of Infinity, who worship chance itself. To them, the Magic 8 Ball is divine because of its emptiness. No thoughts. No mercy. Just pure, sacred random. The 8 isn’t a number. It’s infinity. We’ve just been looking at it sideways.“
Musicians: Jan-Henrik Ohme on vocals; Thomas Andersen on keyboards, programming; Jon-Arne Vibo on guitars; Mikael Krømer on violin, additional guitars; Kristian “Fido” Torp on bass; Robert R Johansen on drums.
The album was mixed by Thomas J.