Bogus Blimp

Formed in 1996 in the small Norwegian town of Sandefjord, situated near Oslo, Bogus Blimp comprises vocalist Christian Mona, keyboardist Aslak Larsen, guitarist Hilmar Larsen, bassist Kyrre Bjørkås, sampling keyboardist Bjørn Larsen, and drummer Ragnar Berg. One of the first bands to be signed to Oslo-based Jester Records, Bogus Blimp released their first mini album, Men-mic, in 1998, and established the sound that would fuel its follow-up, Cords.Wires published two years later. Darker and rawer than its predecessor, this album expanded on the cinematic aspect of Men-mic as the production became fuller and more sophisticated. Four years on, Rdtr shows a slightly more subdued Bogus Blimp returning to the grind. If there aren’t any heavy metal stabs to be found here, the atmosphere is as dark and unsettling as ever. Claustrophobic poetry is scattered all over this album and underpins the oppressive nature of these sonic constructions, especially on Automated Bathroom, and ever more so on Going Commercial, where Mona’s voice crawls under the skin and infects the mind by telling a banal story through relentless questioning. Yet, Rdtr introduces a slightly more playful approach to the general sonic structure within which the band evolves. Although this remains very discreet, hints can be perceived through lighter and more accessible melodies and arrangements, giving this album a more respectable face. But this is only for show as behind the scene, the band is busy twisting it all and playing games with the listener’s mind.