Urbant Helvete

This band grows and grows! On their last album “12 tonn” I missed an opening song that hit me in the face, possibly because of my personal taste, but “Sort-Hvitt” blew off what hair I had left on the top of my head! The next song “Lekende”” is heavier and set the standard on this album.

This is heavy heavy heavy rock that gets the bones shaking non stop during the listening session. The album has gone some rounds in the cd player, and will do so in the future to let the songs sink in. I’m probably disqualified at this point cause I cannot remember anything other than the first song being kick-ass the first time I put  “Urbant Helvete” in the player. It’s possible that the listener will need some rounds before those amazing vocal-lines and riffs open up.
My absolute favourite is “Transit”. This one has harmonies, heaviness, groove, tempo and Berntsen’s hypnotizing vocal. His voice makes Tömmermenn an excellent band in an overpopulated genre. They are unique, yet still a straight hard/heavy rock band.

"Urbant Helvete” is a perfect and balanced album in my eyes. I doubt that they will outdo themselves at this point, but one can always hope, for now I’m looking forward to their next album.

Songs that distinguish themselves “Sort – hvit”, “Lekende”, “Urbant Helvete”, “Transit”, “Storm”, “Samme Hva” & “Dere Som Står”.

With hope that they can outdo themselves on the next album I chose to let the score drop this time. 

By: Kenneth Brastad

Homepage: www.tommermenn.no

Tolv Tonn

I have to admit to having high expectations of this album. I heard Tömmermenn live for the first time around 97` and they blew my mind back then, especially with a song called "Hviske, Hviske", and I was a bit eager to check out if they were able to keep the energy they had live on a full length album.

Universal is not the "killer" opener I was hoping for, but not a bad tune.... actually the two first songs disappointed me, but when "Ulvene" kicks in... so does the album. My absolute favourites are the songs "Fordi"
(this is the one I would have chosen as an opener), "Trell" & "Kan du leve". These songs show Tömmermenn at their best and have great vocal lines. Geir Berntsen`s voice actually sounds after the two first songs I mentioned. It sounds more "balanced" in a way. And I have to say that I think Berntsen has one of the best voices in the Norwegian "rock" scene....

To all of You that wonder if You should check this one out..... Do it.... I am not a fan of Heavy Rock in general, but this monster should kick it into gear for everyone and is a great party album. It`s "heavy as a fuck" and has a kind of attitude You can`t dislike in my opinion.

Tömmermenn is a unique heavy rock band but if I had to compare them to someone, it would be:

Alice Cooper - Dragontown (especially "Deeper"), Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger (Vocals), Stone Temple Pilots - Core (The feel) and Megadeth - Countdown To Extinction (The riffs & Harmonies)

www.tommermenn.no

By Kenneth Brastad