ARABS IN ASPIC II emerged in 1997 from Norway led by guitarist and vocalist Jostein Smeby and rythm guitarist & Theremin player, Tommy Ingebrigtsen. Since they met through their common love for 1970s heavy rock music, especially Black Sabbath, they’ve been playing together with different personnel, each playing different kinds of heavy music until ARABS IN ASPIC surged.
They said goodbye to playing covers and the band was ready with Hammond organ player Magnar Krutvik, drummer Eskil Nyhus and his brother, bass player Terje Nyhus. The quartet was later joined by Stig Arve Jorgenson on backing vocals and Hammond organ, as Magnar changed to playing acoustic guitar and synth. After a few years and two releases (Progeria, EP and Far Out in Aradabia, CD) the band was put on hold due to various reasons.
In 2006 Jostein, Eskil and Stig hooked up with bass player Erik Paulsen and formed what was known as Arabs in Aspic II. The new spirit and musicianship led to some serious song writing, and numerous demos were recorded during the following years. In 2009 the band entered legendary TNT guitarist Ronni LeTekro’s studio and recorded the critic awarded “Strange Frame of Mind”, which was mastered by Tommy Hansen in Jailhouse Studios, Denmark. Before the vinyl release of “Strange Frame..” in 2012 they decided to cut the “II” in the band name and go back to just Arabs in Aspic.
In 2011 Arabs in Aspic signed with Black Widow Records and released “Strange Frame” on cd and digital medias and also reissued the two first releases on double vinyl.
In 2012 the band recorded “Pictures in a Dream” in their own studio. This session featured legendary vocalist Rune Sundby of the 70’s progressive band “Ruphus” on two songs. The album was mastered by Bjorn Engelmann in Cutting Room, Sweden and is available on vinyl, cd and all digital platforms.
In 2013 Arabs in Aspic started working Victim of your Father’s Agony Lp….
TRACK LIST:
1) YOU CAN PROVE THEM WRONG 3:56
2) SAD WITHOUT YOU 3:25
3) ONE 6:12
4) THE TURK AND THE ITALIAN RESTAURANT 2:42
5) GOD REQUIRES INSANITY 8:21
6) TV 3 1:39
7) FLIGHT OF THE HALIBUT 4:08
8) SAINT-PALAIS-SUR-MER PT. 2 1:04
9) VICTIM OF YOUR FATHERS’ AGONY 5:58
This album was recorded and mixed at Borse Studios, Trondheim. 2014/2015 by Jostein Smeby and Arabs in Aspic.
All songs mastered by Morten Stendahl at Redroom Studio, Trondheim 2015.
Cover art by Julia Proszowska Lund – Design and layout by Erik Paulsen.
Jostein Smeby: Guitars, Vocals
Eskil Nyhus: Drums, Percussions
Stig A. Kvam-Jorgensen: Keyboards, Acoustic guitar, Vocals
Erik Paulsen: Bass, Vocals