Panzerpappa

Influenced by the Rock in Opposition and Canterbury scenes, the Oslo-based avant-prog ensemble Panzerpappa was founded in 1998 by drummer, percussionist, and multi-instrumentalist Trond Gjellum. He connected with saxophonist and keyboardist Steinar Børve, and together they assembled a four-piece that also featured guitarist Knut Tore Abrahamsen and bassist Jørgen Skjulstad. After several live appearances the group issued its debut CD-R, Passer Gullfisk, in 1999. A wave of personnel shifts followed, coinciding with the release of a second CD-R titled Hulemysteriet, and by 2002 Gjellum remained the sole original member.

That same year Gjellum performed in a live backing ensemble for former Caravan and Hatfield and the North bassist and vocalist Richard Sinclair during the latter’s Norwegian appearances; the supporting unit also included bassist Anders Krabberød and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Jarle Storløkken. Krabberød and Storløkken subsequently entered a refreshed Panzerpappa configuration alongside Gjellum and Børve, who had returned from an extended stay in Australia. This lineup—Gjellum, Børve, Krabberød, and Storløkken—delivered the band’s first widely pressed album, Farlig Vandring, in 2004, earning positive responses from progressive-music listeners in Norway and abroad.

Two years later Panzerpappa released its most expansive recording to date, Koralrevens Klagesang, again featuring the same core quartet augmented by numerous guest musicians on an array of instruments and highlighted by a classic Caravan-style vocal contribution from Sinclair on one track. Further recognition arrived with the 2012 Rune Grammofon release Astromalist, which presented the established quartet plus keyboardist Hans-Petter Alfredsen (who later became a permanent member), Jaga Jazzist flutist Ketil Vestrum Einarsen, Univers Zero bassoonist Michel Berckmans, vibraphonist Ola Lindh, and string players Eivind Hasle Amundsen on violin, Hannah Bartram on viola, and Thomas Nilsson on cello.