RISE ABOVE

About the band

Norwegian punk band RISE ABOVE is known for its chaotic live performances and genre-blending music. What began with their 2016 EP “Sounds of Liberation”, followed by singles “Gold” and “Up” in 2017, is being pushed to the extreme with the release of their anticipated 2022 debut album “Times of Clarity”.

External delays, a pandemic, member changes, and one broken drummer arm ultimately culminated in a 14-track (?) apocalyptic colossus that released on the 26th of August 2022. Ready your ears for 43 minutes of fine-tuned noise, catchy melodies, intertwined lyrics, and explorative fringes. “Times of Clarity” is a roller coaster of sound from start to finish.

The story

After a two year public silence, RISE ABOVE is returning to release their anticipated debut album “Times of Clarity” on the 26th of August. Since 2016, they’ve been one of the bigger hardcore bands in Norway. Before even having put out any music, the band was booked to play at Øyafestivalen — the largest music festival in the country. The same year as, among others, Kvelertak, Mastodon, and Eagles of Death Metal.

“The most positive surprise at Øyafestivalen this year. The passion was literally dripping from everyone in the band.”

Their 4-track debut EP “Sounds of Liberation” was very well received, and Norwegian music radio channel P3 put several of their songs into rotation. They were also made "Artist of the week" on P3s Urørt. Their reasoning reads:

“A violently passionate, but at the same time meaningful first meeting with a very promising band. An adrenaline rush from start to end.”

The following singles from 2017, “Up” and “Gold”, also garnered positive reviews, but this time also outside of Norway:

“RISE ABOVE fly the flag for Norwegian hardcore punk. Gold is an absolute banger. Fast, furious, and we absolutely love it.”

Words like these enabled the band to play at festivals like Slottsfjell, SPOT festival, TUNGHØRT, and Sørveiv in 2017 and 2018. In the middle of all this, work on what eventually became “Times of Clarity” was begun, and the band soon headed back into The Tune Park in Bergen to record it.

“It's refreshing to see a hardcore band this good, when the Norwegian hardcore scene has been without young blood for many years.”

Now, almost 3 years in the making, it’s finally ready. We can’t wait to show you what we’ve made.

From left to right: Håkon Nygaard, Bendik Hildebrand, Thomas Holler, Mathias Øren, Cato Nystøl

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