Prog Rockers AIRBAG release new single “Awakening” from upcoming album

The 14th June 2024 marks the day that Karisma Records will release “The Century of the Self”  the sixth full-length album from AIRBAG, one of the most prominent Prog Rock bands to have emerged from Norway in the last few decades.  

And, in anticipation of that day, the label has released a second single from the album. Titled “Awakening”, this is  what the band had to  say about the track:

“Awakening” is one of those songs that reflects on the band’s past, with strong ties to albums like “Identity” and “All Rights Removed”, while at the same time venturing into new sonics and production. Lyrically, “Awakening” is a message of hope in a time where we seem to stray away from caring for each other and allowing social media to create a destructive diversion. 

“Awakening” can be streamed or downloaded from a variety of services

“The Century of Self” is an album that stands as a testament to the artistic vision and enduring creativity that AIRBAG bring to their music.  Touching on themes such as cancel culture and the rewriting of personal histories, it is a reflection on modern society’s zeitgeist, and a poignant commentary of today’s world, which is steeped in fear and condemnation.  

Recorded at Subsonic Society, Airbag Studio, and Riis Studio, and expertly produced, mixed, and mastered by Vegard Kleftås Sleipnes, “The Century of Self” features guest appearances by Kristian Hultgren on bass on “Dysphoria” and “Tear it Down”, Ole Michael Bjørndal on  guitar on “Dysphoria”, “Tyrants and Kings” and “Tear it Down” and Simen Valldal Johannessen on keyboards on “Tear it Down”.

With artwork by Asle Tostrup, track listing on “The Century of the Self” is as follows:

01. Dysphoria

02. Tyrants and Kings

03. Awakening

04. Erase

05. Tear It Down

“The Century of the Self” will be released in CD,  Limited  Edition Digisleeve CD and Digital formats, as well as three different LP version -Black Vinyl LP,  Limited Edition Red Vinyl LP and  Limited Edition Black and Red Splatter Vinyl LP.

“The Century of the Self” is now available to pre-order

With this latest album, AIRBAG’s lineup of Asle Tostrup on vocals, keyboards and programming, Henrik Bergan Fossum on drums, and Bjørn Riis on guitars, bass, keyboards and backing vocals,  lead the listener on a sonic journey through introspection and intensity.

Opening with the track “Dysphoria”, with its mesmerizing depths, “The Century of Self” is filled with the irresistible vocal hooks and virtuoso lead guitar work for which AIRBAG has become synonymous the world-over.  

From the haunting crescendo of “Tyrants and Kings,”  to the introspective balladry of “Awakening” we are led towards the foreboding depths of the single “Erase” that builds from a hypnotic bass line into a powerhouse of heavy refrains, setting the stage for the epic conclusion of “Tear it Down”, a 14 minute opus that goes from serene moments of reflection towards the heaviest musical landscapes AIRBAG has ever produced.

AIRBAG has been confirmed to play three shows in Poland in October and  two shows in the Netherlands  in November. More shows will be announced in due course

Live shows

Poland

17 Oct:  Stary Manez, Gdansk
18 Oct:  Klub Progresja, Warsaw
18 Oct:  Klub Kwadrat, Krakow

Netherlands

01 Nov:  De Cacaofabriek, Helmond
02 Nov:  Poppodium, Boerderij 

More information about AIRBAG can be found on the band’s website  or on Facebook

Lyric video for the “Erase”

Video by Crystal Media (known for their work with songwriter/producer Steven Wilson, amongst others)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Website: www.airbagsound.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airbagsound
YouTube: www.youtube.com/airbagsound
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airbagsound/
Airbag Booking: bjorn@airbag.no