Photo: Johan Bergmark

Today sees the release of Fire!‘s much anticipated eighth album, Testament, through Rune Grammofon. More stripped down than previous records, on the new album the Swedish supergroup of reeds player Mats Gustafsson, bass player Johan Berthling and drummer Andreas Werliin ditched flutes and electronics, it’s just them live in the studio recording on analogue tape with the help of Steve Albini. As the press release describes, “this album stands as a true testament to the group´s expressive power and glowing intimacy.”

For a taste of what Fire! have in store for us, listen to the opening track ‘Work Song For A Scattered Past’ below.

Photo: Johan Bergmark

Swedish supergroup Fire! released last month their new album Defeat. Despite the fatalistic title, the album finds the core trio of reeds player Mats Gustafsson, bass player Johan Berthling and drummer Andreas Werliin “still honoring their 12 year old vow of presenting a fresh approach to improvised music.” Unlike previous efforts where the tenor saxophone and the bass saxophone played a prominent role, on Defeat Gustafsson elected the flute as his primary instrument.

For a taster of what´s on offer, listen to the album track ‘Defeat (Only Further Apart)’ below.

Defeat is out now through Rune Grammofon.