SAHG
II

There is no rest for the wicked, and Sahg is certainly no exception to the rule. In the time since their 2006 debut, 'Sahg I', the gloomy Norwegians have left their black mark on two continents and made much rumble along the way. Making this second studio album has sent them to hell and back, and only a vicious curse have kept 'Sahg II' from being released earlier. After the massive praise following 'Sahg I', the band took the stage on both the great Norwegian metal masses, Inferno and Hole In The Sky, before heading out on a four weeks tour of North America, as opening act for Celtic Frost. Upon the return, new songs were already materializing, and the foundation for a second album started to take shape. Before the break of spring 2007, Sahg had started recording, but were destined for a windy, bumpy ride that would make the creation of their second album a tedious affair. After having put the first three songs down on tape, the studio was torn to the ground by the landlord, and Sahg was sent on a lookout for somewhere else to finish their work. In the meantime, they took on Wacken Open Air with fire and lightning, and returned to the new studio with renewed inspiration. The midsummer weeks by the West Norwegian ocean side was the fairest the band would see during the studio process. Technical mishaps and unfortunate decisions soon started to take their toll on the patience of the band. Unforeseen obstacles kept getting in the way, like a misfortune that had been cast upon them. Thus, Sahg spent the remains of 2007 recording and mixing the new album. But the strife, the frustration and despair have left their trace within the tracks, and added another dimension of pitch-black energy. A genuine blessing in disguise. Then, upon the dawning of 2008, less than two years after the debut, a new compilation of murky heavy metal is ready to unleash. Untraditional sounds coming from Norway, yet carrying loads of heavy metal tradition in every other way. The inspiration from Pentagram, the Sabs and the Zeps is still present, but 'Sahg II' also breaks limits on both ends of the musical scale compared to its predecessor; more fast, energetic fury on 'Ascent To Decadence' and 'Pyromancer', and further into psychedelic atmospheres on 'Escape The Crimson Sun' and 'Monomania'. In total, an uncompromising and dynamic album that stretches the band to its limits, when it comes to musicality and songwriting. 'Sahg II' was mixed by Rob Caggiano and Paul Orofino in Millbrook Sound Studio, Millbrook, New York. Produced by Sahg and Brynjulv Guddal. Brynjulv Guddal performs all drums and keyboards on this album.