ÅRABROT – Rite of Dionysus
Release Date: 29th August 2025
Label: Self Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Noise Rock, Folk, Alternative Rock.
FFO: Karin Park, Melvins, Whores.
Review By: John Newlands
Årabrot are a noise rock band first formed in 2001 in Haugesund, Western Norway. The band has been though iterations but now consists namely of husband and wife duo which consists of Kjetil Nernes on vocals and guitar and Karin Park on backing vocals & synths. They craft the songs together in their home, a decommissioned church conversion in Djura, Sweden.
The Rite of Dionysus is produced by Alain Johannes and was recorded during the same sessions as their last record, Of Darkness and Light, released on Pelagic Records back in 2023.
Interestingly, this release is not on Pelagic, and upon listening, I can understand why. The Rite of Dionysus has seen a shift in the bands style, shifting somewhat further away from the noise rock sensibilities of previous releases and leaning slightly heavier into folkish jaunts and flourishes of electronica. Perhaps it’s less of a “fit” for Pelagic?
In any case, the band themselves state in the press statement that it is a different Årabrot album that “explores themes of loss, transformation, and introspection. “It deals with stuff that’s real to us. Maybe there is something real in it for you too. It’s not for everyone and it’s not gonna hit you in the head. But ever so slowly it might creep under your skin.”
I must say, for this listener it creeps under my skin, but perhaps not in the intended way. On my first listen I was surprised and somewhat confused by the new direction, but considered that my initial impressions may be down to my mood, situation, time of day or such. But no, I have listened to Rite of Dionysus at least six or seven times and I just can’t get onboard this train and some aspects of the release really don’t fit for me.
For example, some vocal tropes that Nernes often uses with success in other Årabrot releases just don’t work for me here. They seem somewhat predictable and at points grating. Tracks often feel overlong, and extreme over repetition of lyrics is present throughout the release. Often repetition in music can induce a meditative calm which gives the listener a transcendental feeling, however, here repetition does not increase tension, atmosphere or really induce any feeling or expression for me other than mild irritation and boredom.
This then brings me to the general flow of the album. Coupled with the long repetitive feeling of the songs and the mixing of styles (folk, electronic and noise rock) creates a disjointed and long listen. The album has a runtime of 43 minutes, which is a bit longer than it takes me to run 10km, and I swear my 10km feels shorter, and I’m in a better mood when I’m done.
With all this said, I’m still an Årabrot fan. I am aware of how many folk shat a brick when Metallica released the black album, or that time when they cut their hair. Or when the Smashing Pumpkins went left field on Adore or Radiohead lay their guitars to the side. But what should a listener expect?
To not suppose that an artist will grow, evolve and change, try different things or branch into new directions, would be incredibly foolish of any listener. Yes, some bands flog the same rotten corpse of inspiration for album upon album to appease the fans and cash a cheque. To me, this is also boring, and I very much respect Årabrot trying something a bit different.
Just because Rite of Dionysus doesn’t fit for me doesn’t mean that this isn’t perfect for many other fans and listeners. Music is art and art is interpretative, so go check this out and make up your own mind.
I’ll be patiently awaiting the next Årabrot release.
(2.5 / 5)
