“If you are a fan of the sinister menace of Interpol, the jagged guitar lines of Gang Of Four or the grandiose gloom of The Cure, here is a band which is a mix of all three but has its own unique post-punk aesthetic – Permafrost.”
XS NOIZE
“Brooding and upbeat, here we have a classically post-punk vibe with compositions still centred on starkly compelling melodies.”
AMPLIFY MUSIC
“With a powerful melody and plenty of reverb and appealing synth, there is still a charming quality here amidst this ominous hymn – impressive.”
SPILL MAGAZINE
More than two years after the release of ‘Come Back To Surprise’, the Nordic-British post-punk quartet Permafrost returned with a new single, ‘Wrong Heart’, on 4th July. This release kicked off the lead up to their new album, ‘The Light Coming Through’, set to unveil in October this year. In addition to the lead track, Mental Overdrive (aka Per Martinsen) remixed the single, which was also available on 4th July. They then followed up with another new single on 16th August, aptly named ‘Ultimo August’, which debuted at #2 on the Deutsche Alternative Chart.
Formed originally in Molde, Norway in 1982 by school friends Frode Heggdal Larsen and Kåre Steinsbu, Permafrost has undergone numerous transformations over the years. Now joined by fellow Norwegian Robert Heggdal and Daryl Bamonte from the UK (who worked very closely with Depeche Mode and The Cure for several years), they continue to deliver the authentic post-punk sound of the early '80s. While many contemporary musicians attempt to replicate this era, Permafrost have lived it. Their latest single, ‘Wrong Heart’, has also evolved over time, ultimately resulting in a dark, bass-driven post-punk track that transports listeners back to the shadowy, goth-filled clubs of the '80s.
Alongside the single, they have released the music video for ‘Wrong Heart’. In a wholesome contrast to the song’s dark sound and nature, the video follows four young girls as they set out to create a music video. Of the video they said “In another dimension Permafrost could be a girl band. In this reality they are planning to create a music video. They have to drag their equipment into the forest to get to the preferred spot, making it into a road movie with a lot of obstacles on the way - like grazing sheep and deer in the blossoming Norwegian nature. When they finally arrive at the spot and want to start playing, the song finishes. All that work for nothing.”
Spread across Trondheim, Oslo and Margate, Permafrost's creative process is a challenge which the band have had to overcome. During the pandemic, they held weekly video meetings to plan new songs and other band- related issues, leveraging improved long-distance collaboration technology to maintain momentum. The songwriting process typically begins with one member suggesting an idea, which bassist Robert (Bob Frost) then develops in Logic Pro, programming drums and other elements. Singer Kåre creates a melody to match, and lyrics are selected from a collective vault they have accumulated over the years. The song is refined through a collaborative process, passing back and forth between all four members until everyone is satisfied.
Utilising their refined songwriting process, Permafrost meticulously crafted their forthcoming album, ‘The Light Coming Through’. Describing their sound as “Optimistic Melancholy” the album aims to offer inspiration and escapism during challenging times. Infusing politically charged lyrics with dark, synth-infused post-punk instrumentation, Permafrost employs metaphors to convey their message effectively.
Permafrost has built an impressive discography over the years. They debuted with the 'Godtment' EP in 1983, released on a limited edition of 50 numbered cassettes. In 2019, they followed up with the 'Permafrost' EP
on vinyl, later making it available digitally in 2021. Throughout 2021, the band dropped three critically acclaimed singles. ‘Femme Fatale’ and ‘Closed Eyes’ both achieved remarkable success, reaching #1 on the Indie Disko Top40 chart, with the latter maintaining the top spot for six consecutive weeks. These singles also performed well on the Deutsche Alternative and Native25 charts, while earning placements on influential playlists such as Apple Music’s ‘New in Rock’. The third single, ‘Restore Us’, continued their streak of success by hitting #1 on the Indie Disko Top40 and the Native25 chart.
‘The Light Coming Through’ will be released on 11th October, on digital and vinyl.
