Frøislie, Lars Fredrik: Gamle Mester

The keyboard maestro behind such bands as Wobbler, The Chronicles of Father Robin, and White Willow released his debut solo album Fire Fortellinger to much acclaim in 2023, and he's come right back with the even more impressive Gamle Mester here in 2025. On this latest, in addition to playing all the keyboards (Mellotron, Hammond C3 organ, Clavinet, Minimoog, Fender Rhodes electric piano, ARP Pro Soloist, acoustic piano, and more) he's also tackling the drums and lead vocals. Helping out are bass player Nikolai Hængsle and Ketil Einarsen on flute and recorder.

"Demring" kicks things off, with cascading Hammond giving way to synth, soaring flute, nimble drums and very upfront Rickenbacker bass, as well as Mellotron. Lovely piano is also featured later in the track, and overall it's a dramatic and quite symphonic way to start the album. Next up is "Jakten PÃ¥ Det Kalydonske Villsvin" the first vocal piece on the album, and you instantly notice that Lars' vocals and drumming have clearly gotten better since the last album. All the vocals are in Norwegian, and really sound perfect with this style of music. This is pastoral, symphonic, and nicely dramatic and atmospheric, with tons of Mellotron. There is a nice heavy middle section followed by some Genesis Trespass styled flute and gentle passages. What a great song.

The title track Gamle Mester follows. a killer instrumental, complete with velvety bass as it lumbers through all the gorgeous keyboard soundcapes, and the lead melody line is so infectious. Lars' drumming is really good too! "Medusas Flåte" is darker, heavier, with big haunting Mellotron waves, and a creepy atmospheric middle section and then the big symphonic finale that closes with some cool Jon Lord/Keith Emerson-inspired Hammond organ. Outstanding! "De Tre Gratier" is more of that big grandiose classic prog, the layerings of synth, Hammond, and Mellotron are just huge, with his Norwegian vocals floating over the top and plenty of acrobatic drumming and leathery Rickenbacker bass lines. Do I detect harpsichord during the middle section? As per Lars himself, that is indeed what it is! Lovely flute is featured all over the place,more haunting Mellotron, more glorious Hammond...what akiller song. Closing things out is "Skumring", a softer short piece with piano and Mellotron.

2025 has been a banner year for progressive rock releases, and Gamle Mester is certainly near the upper echelon when it comes to the cream of the crop. As we wait patiently for another Wobbler album, Lars has given us something to enjoy for many months to come.

Track Listing
1. Demring 05:01
2. Jakten PÃ¥ Det Kalydonske Villsvin 10:09
3. Gamle Mester 07:17
4. Medusas Flåte 09:08
5. De Tre Gratier 12:27
6. Skumring 03:13

Added: June 1st 2025
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Artists @ Bandcamp
Hits: 283
Language: english

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