Review: Himmellegeme – Variola Vera

Style: progressive rock/psychedelic rock (clean vocals)
Review by: Nick
Country: Norway
Release date: 1 October, 2021

I’ve had some crazy luck with my albums lately. I’ve had a number of killer releases in a few different genres, but none of them have struck me quite like Himmellegeme has. They’re a band out of Norway playing largely typical 2000s style prog rock. Think Porcupine Tree, Pineapple Thief, and so on.

This isn’t to say they don’t have their own sound because they very much do. From the first track alone it’s evident that this is something special. There’s the obvious Pink Floyd/Steven Wilson influences, but there’s just such a unique and personal touch that they bring to one of the most copied sounds in prog. They have a much dreamier atmosphere than their contemporaries do. Their guitars are laden with reverb. The vocals are ethereal and almost other worldly. The solos scream and soar above the other instruments in a way that makes it feel like the guitar itself is singing. The drums and further orchestration make the songs feel epic and almost cinematic. Even if I can barely understand what he’s saying, the songs conjure such vivid imagery by the songwriting alone.

Each song also brings in a taste of variety. From super psychedelic (“Heart Listening”) to borderline disco (“Blowing Raspberries”) to ambient acoustic (“Variola Vera”), you’ll never be bored. This is a much appreciated improvement from their debut which, while featuring the same jaw dropping cinematic sound, was very focused on the Floydian psychedelic style that I mentioned. It makes me almost proud to see the growth of a band from ripping off their inspirations to using them as a base for a completely unique sound. 

One of my favorites may be on the track “Let the Mother Burn”. There’s a solo almost two minutes in that’s Gilmour levels of beauty and the simple lines during the verses are so strong emotionally that it feels like each string plucked is personally jabbing your heart. Another favorite track is “Caligula” which starts with a rhythmically creative riff that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Leprous or Bent Knee track. The chorus though feels like it belongs in a Tame Impala or Arctic Monkeys song. I love the way they pick up the tempo for the chorus and solo, how the drums are just banging away. Big shout out for the changed pattern at the end. I love that sort of stuff especially when it’s done as well as it is here.

After having sat on this album for a couple weeks now and listened and relistened, I just have to say that this is easily the best straight progressive rock album that I’ve heard this year if not the 2020s so far (however young the decade may be). They are up there with their labelmates Airbag who have themselves been proven to be a psychedelic prog powerhouse. If want to hear what it would sound like for a legendary 70s prog band to have started their career in 2017, this is the band for you. Creative, original, and fun. I really hope it doesn’t take another four years for the next entry in their discography to emerge, but if it takes that long to make something of this quality then so be it.

Recommended tracks: Let the Mother Burn, Heart Listening, Caligula
Recommended for fans of: Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree/Steven Wilson, post-Fish Marillion
You may also like: Meer, Airbag, Glass Kites
Final verdict: 10/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook

Label: Karisma Records – Bandcamp | Website | Facebook

Himmellegeme is:
– Aleksander Vormestrand (guitar and vocals)
– Hein Alexander Olson (guitar)
– Lauritz Isaksen (keyboards)
– Erik Alfredsen (bass)
– Thord Nordli (drums)