The fifth album of the Norwegians Pristine means consistent further development and diversification at the same time. Heidi Solheim, the Tromsø-born frontwoman and creative head, combines high musical and lyrical diversity on the eleven songs of "Road Back To Ruin" - the band and her voice provide the common thread. The album title "Road Back To Ruin" was, as the singer says, born out of frustration. About social conditions in which opinions and values shift in a certain direction. The separation from or fear of "the others", which is abused by influential people to gain more power. Blind distrust is sown and walls are built - things that have happened many times before, and yet society now seems to be running full speed into those same traps again. The attitude of people where the lack of nobility and empathy turns into hatred - this is what scares her, says Heidi Solheim. It is not for nothing that the last sentence of the album credits reads: "Take care of each other. Be generous, including and kind."
Road Back To Ruin was recorded at Paradiso Studio in Oslo, with producer Øyvind Gundersen and engineer Christian Engfelt. The basic tracks were recorded live, the drum sound captured with room microphones. The result is an authentic, big sound - and Pristine's incredible live energy captured as a snapshot. The song "Sinnerman" was written during the 2018 tour, a departure number and perfect album opener. The title track comes with heaviness and heaviness. Likewise "Blind Spot", on which Syrian Racha Rizk sings a short Arabic intro, followed by a powerful riff from Espen Elverum Jacobsen, the guitarist who makes up the "secret weapon" in Pristine. At the other end of the spectrum are "Cause & Effect", which was recorded with the 20-piece string orchestra "The Arctic Philharmonic" and gives off a certain 007 feeling. Or the quite untypical but wonderful "Your Song", which is inspired by Neil Young's acoustic recordings. Heidi Solheim and with her Espen Elverum Jacobsen(guitar), Gustav Eidsvik(bass) as well as Ottar Tøllefsen(drums) interact as the core of the band multifaceted and with highest mutual musical understanding. Anders Oskal and Hansi Enzensperger contribute the defining Hammond sound as studio guests.
NFollowing the 2012 and 2013 Norwegian-only albums "Detoxing" and "No Regret", "Reboot" was the first album released outside Pristine's homeland in 2016. "Ninja" was the first worldwide release on Nuclear Blast in 2017, which is now followed by "Road Back To Ruin". All albums are available digitally, on CD and on vinyl. We'll also be seeing the Norwegians live again in May 2019 at sweaty gigs, when Pristine will play with The Brew as well as their own tour dates in Germany and Austria from 03/05-25/05.
Text source and more information about this event at: https://batschkapp.tickets.de/de/tour/1001475-pristine
