NOEKK
THE MINSTRELS CURSE

According to legend, a Noekk is as volatile as the water of the river, the sea or the well he protects.
This creature, which is as fickle as it is fascinating, is a reflection of “The Minstrel’s Curse”, the mythical duo’s third album. The Noekk has left the puddles in the hinterland of vintage Progressive Rock, unexpectedly popping up in waters far from home, not giving a damn about genre issues. The title track ‘The Minstrel’s Curse’ lives from the interaction between classic Metal elements, epic Mellotron parts, and the familiar obscure atmosphere. ‘Song Of Durin’ is like a voyage on a river – on and on through unpredictable streams: a rough ride ending abruptly to lull the listeners into a sense of security, only to gain back wild speed in the thick mist. From ‘How Long Is Ever’ onward, the weird nature of the Noekk comes to the fore again – an instrumental journey with dreamlike piano passages, doomy guitars, and strangely beautiful melodies in a play somewhere between a gentle dream and disquiet. ‘The Rumour And The Giantess’ continues the journey and peaks in a great riddle whose eerie depth is only to be solved by the listeners themselves. No NOEKK album this far was making its point as boldly as “The Minstrel’s Curse” does.