Review: Twin Serpent ‘True Norwegian Blackgrass’
Twin Serpent from Trondheim, Norway comprises Timo Silvola (vocals/banjo/acoustic guitar), Hanna Fauske (vocals/bass), Tony Gonzalez (electric guitar/choir) and Viktor Kristensen (drums/percussion). Their debut Feels Like Heaven, North Of Hellcame out in 2022 on Loyal Blood Records, while long-awaited follow-up True Norwegian Blackgrasss is being released by Svart Records, a label whose artists have featured heavily at The Shaman.
Sonically, this latest release promises to be a far cry from the Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Tom Waits aforementioned debut, which, to quote the promotional notes, turns ‘the volume to twelve and the trainbeat races down the tracks at a derailing speed’. There is also a seemingly political lyrical bent focusing on windmill resistance, the porn industry and post-Trump America, heavy in all senses then, musically and lyrically.
Space Heater opens the record with quite an aplomb, with bracing Damned-style punk. There’s also some very cool ripping cowpunk in the vein of Nashville Pussy and Nine Pound Hammer, the subtle hint of a banjo making it even more intriguing, an astonishing opener. Ærlig Talt is slower and a curious mix of rock ‘n’ roll and what can only be termed blackened post-punk. Some parts also recall the sadly forgotten The (International) Noise Conspiracy, what with the hints of garage rock. A very cleverly constructed number.
If bands such as Gogol Bordello and their brand of gypsy/folk-punk float your boat, then Stellar Suicide will be right up your street. There’s an immediacy present that gives it a dance floor appeal, so it’s no wonder that it was released as the first single, a standout for sure. Freak Flag, as a term, has quite the musical history, originating in the song If 6 Was 9 by Jimi Hendrix and denotes nonconformity. Indeed, Prairie Home Invasion and its creators Jello Biafra and Mojo Nixon (who are also known for their rebelliousness) came to mind. A track written for rallies and marches.
Blues, alt-country, blackened post-punk and cowpunk… are amalgamated so effortlessly is what makes True Norwegian Blackgrass such an enticing listen…
Hundromshelvete is like an imaginary collaboration between the Buzzcocks and Osees. The strong melodic punk of the former colliding with the reckless psych/garage punk of the latter, impressive! Ain’t Home No More takes its foot off the gas temporarily, allowing the listener a bit of space to catch their breath with some very cool stoner folk. Tusen Takk is bluesy and sung in Norwegian, bringing to mind Helmet’s Sam Hell from the 1994 record Betty, a short but welcome slice of weirdness to add to proceedings.
Radiophobia‘s main riff is pure ZZ Top, but with an added drone sensibility that gives it a haunting feel, which may remind some of Thin White Rope and True West, basically the darker bands from the Paisley Underground, fantastic. Forventninger is the kind of song that sounds ideally suited to the Repo Man soundtrack, a highly effective combo of Bjork-esque vocals and The Plugz Chicano punk.
The spirits of Exene Cervenka and John Doe are present on Holy Ghost with the wonderful vocal interplay and roots rock of X’s overlooked 1987 classic See How We Are, meanwhile Kipu Kivi is a haunting hippy occult jam that you might find in The Wicker Man. Anti-Nation Blues closes out the record with serious swampy blues, such as one might associate with the Scientists and The Gun Club. It’s a deliciously murky way with which to conclude the album.
Blues, alt-country, blackened post-punk and cowpunk may all be genre touchstones here, but the fact that they are amalgamated so effortlessly is what makes True Norwegian Blackgrass such an enticing listen.
Label: Svart Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Reza Mills
