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Buaas, Anders: The Witches of Finnmark
Anders Buaas was born in Larvik, Norway. His musical career was given considerable heft when he was the touring guitarist for Blaze Bailey (Iron Maiden) and Tim Ripper Owens (Judas Priest). The guitarist eventually decided to go out on his own forming The Witches of Finnmark project, a musical trilogy of which two are completed.
You know the old saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’, it applies to music as well. The artwork for this first installment is quite disturbing which is also appropriate given the occult subject matter of the prosecution of Finnmark witches during the 16th and 17th centuries. One might induce this would be a very heavy affair but alas this is not the case, although there are moments of heavy rock and metal. It’s just more nuanced than your basic metal album and I am really enjoying it beginning with the first track “Mystic Mist”. A heavy bass keyboard note repeats as clearly struck guitar notes provide clarity. Background keyboards and a slow guitar riff can be heard building ever so slowly. It’s a nuanced, ambient instrumental sound that is mellow yet never boring. The title track is the disc’s longest at over nine minutes. The track navigates between acoustic folky touches and more intense rock. Great riff progressions and a somber melody with depth and feeling. This one certainly invokes the sounds of Northern Europe with perhaps a touch of Arabic as well. The guitar work is worth the price of admission blending folk, metal and prog sounds. More tasty guitar can be heard on “Gand” morphing between classical and electric tones. The band is able to create a foreboding feel with its darker background textures. Buaas’ guitar also shines on “Bitter Winds” running the gamut from slow to fast to light to heavy with an amazingly clean tone. This guy is just a great player.
Really, there is not much more to say. Although there are only six tracks and roughly thirty-three minutes of music don’t let that deter you from seeking this out. I think any progressive rock fan with a bent towards a more melancholy sound will find much to like. Guitar fans, what are you waiting for?
Track Listing:
1. Mystic Mist
2. The Witches of Finnmark
3. Gand
4. Bitter Winds
5. Rise
6. Til Ungdommen
Added: April 5th 2024 Reviewer: Jon Neudorf Score: Related Link: Artist @ Bandcamp Hits: 1510 Language: english
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Buaas, Anders: The Witches of Finnmark Posted by Steven Reid, SoT Staff Writer on 2024-04-05 19:26:45 My Score:
They say to never judge a book by its cover, but for the life of me I expected The Witches of Finnmark by guitarist Anders Buaas to be some sort of Japanese extreme metal album, given the blood spewing, mask wearing witch on the front. How wrong could I be? Well, the fact that Buaas has toured as part of the backing bands of both Paul Di’anno (ex-Iron Maiden) and Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens (ex-Judas Priest, currently of KK's Priest) is also absolutely no signpost as to what’s going on here, in fact even mentioning that information could turn off potential listeners to this album, because I wouldn’t connect either of those names with the poised, instrumental, often acoustic/clean guitar work that makes up this release.
Now, keen readers of Jon’s review above may well realise that my esteemed colleague Mr Neudorf reviewed this album over 5 years ago, and while I will admit to being a few months late to the party, the reason for this reappraisal is that Buaas has now teamed up with that eclectic bunch over at Apollon Records to give this, and I guess the two other albums that make up The Witches Of Finnmark trilogy, a second bite at the cherry. It’s a welcome thing that they have because there’s no denying the wonderful fare that this six track but 40 minute or so album offers up.
Moody and pensive, it all makes for a far swifter journey than its generally restrained approach would suggest, with the nuances and exquisite touch and tone from Buaas engaging from the off and throughout. Admittedly, that reasonably singular nature does make this more of a mood-piece, and therefore an album for solo introspection. However, in the right frame of mind the more strident “Bitter Winds” makes a mighty, melodic mark, with some of the soloing loosely reminding of Gilmour, but there’s also more obvious flare and dexterity on show.
In all, this album is an experience that rewards on every visit. Yes, it’s not going to be a sunny day, mood enhancer, but taken on the terms it was intended, it is impressive nonetheless.
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Buaas, Anders: The Witches of Finnmark Posted by Anders Buaas on 2019-03-11 09:04:01 My Score:
Thanks for a great review!
Note, I toured with Paul DiAnno for several years (not Blaze).
:-) Cheers!
A
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