Like Kung Tung, Ragnarök came from
Kalmar (Ragnarök guitarist Peter Bryngelsson has played in both
bands) but their sound is vastly different, with the latter at best
creating a web of lyricism and introspective mystery. They were
founded in 1972, turned professional in 1975 and appeared at
Alternativfestivalen, the protest manifestation against the
Eurovision Song Contest that year.
Ragnarök (Silence, 1976)
Instrumental
International relevance ***
This is a thing of beauty, different in
style but related in mood to Bo Hansson's albums post ”Sagan om
ringen”.
”Ragnarök” floats in a beautiful mind sphere, with lightly
soaring guitars and transparent flute leading the way to inner paths
through sunlit birches and beeches. A tranquil excitement permeates
the album, and the effect is soothing but never in a cheap new age
kind of way. Instead: dreamlike, with lovely colours infused by a
sense of sweet synaesthetic hyperreality Evocative.
Fjärilar i magen (Silence, 1979)
Instrumental
International relevance: ***
After the elevated beauty of
”Ragnarök”, the band returned with ”Fjärilar i magen” and
an opening track to tear you right out of the relaxed state of their
debut album. ”Adrenalin” sounds like something out of King
Crimson's oeuvre circa 1973. Actually a reference valid to the rest
of the album as well – it's much heavier than their previous
release. Sometimes ”Fjärilar i magen” makes me think of what
Kebnekajse could have been like had they been closer to prog rock
than folk rock. Even the softer parts of ”Fjärilar i magen” have
a greater density than the lucid debut album. A very good album,
although not as captivating as their debut.
Fata Morgana (Silence, 1981)
Instrumental
International relevance: ***
Two years further away from ”Ragnarök”
and the sound has become even more prog rock with more instruments,
including synthesizers and saxophones. There are even some fusion
moves to drag ”Fata Morgana” down below the usual Ragnarök
level. It's OK for a 1981 release, but after one excellent album and
one very good one, this is ultimately disappointing.
Ragnarök made another album for
Silence in 1983, the partially vocal ”3 Signs” (steer clear of
that one!) before disbanding in 1984. They have reunited several
times after that, and are currently active. They've released several
albums after their reunion. Selections from two Tonkraft shows for
Swedish Radio were released as part of ”Progglådan”, and there
are at least four Tonkraft sessions of various length from 1974 to
1981.
Ragnarök full album playlist
Ragnarök full album playlist
from Fata Morgana
Fata Morgana
Fata Morgana
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