Orkan

Orkan is a Norwegian black/thrash-metal group from Stord on the west coast of Norway near Bergen. It is listed as a black metal act and is associated with a wider set of tags including prog and psychedelic rock, reflecting a sound that draws on older rock forms as well as heavier metal styles.

Style and themes

The group combines black and thrash-metal elements with material that also reaches into psychedelic and progressive rock. Its music is described as drawing on classic 1960s and 1970s rock, with references to Swedish progg and bands such as November and Nationalteatern. The lyrics deal with anger, melancholy and criticism of injustices in modern society.

Releases

Orkan first releases a 7-inch single and a debut album titled Orkan on Alleycat Records. This is followed by the full-length Livsgaranti and an EP on Gamlestans Grammofonbolag. The group then issues a third full-length album on its own label, Blåsväder Records.

The album Vakendrömmar is part of this later period in the group’s discography.

Live activity

The group plays nearly 200 shows across Sweden and Europe over the course of about a decade and shares stages with several prominent acts. Its live performances are presented as a major part of its identity.