Genre-smashers Ulver have released two new songs, Locusts and Nocturne #2. Listen to them here and here respectively, or get them via Bandcamp.
The tracks continue the run-up to the Norwegians’ 14th studio album, which they are releasing one single at a time. They’re also the first pieces of music from the band since the death of their longtime keyboardist and producer Tore Ylwizaker. Ylwizaker died of as-yet-undisclosed causes on August 16, his 54th birthday.
Ulver have confirmed in a statement that only two more songs from the new album are yet to come out, and that a physical release will happen this autumn via House Of Mythology.
They write on social media: “Last month, right before Tore’s passing, we finished two pieces which you can hear now, on digital platforms, for our yet unnamed new album. We have to carry on howling, as said, no matter how wrong it feels. Our church is music.
“We will conclude with two more pieces and a pre-order for the physical release (LP/CD) via [House Of Mythology] sometime this fall. Everything falls. Count your blessings. Ulver xx”
Ulver were formed in 1993 as a black metal band by vocalist Krystoffer Rygg. Following Ylwizaker’s addition to the lineup in 1997, they began to experiment with such textures as progressive rock, jazz, industrial, post-rock and ambient. Since 2017’s lauded The Assassination Of Julius Caesar, they have focussed on a progressive synthpop sound.
The collective, now composed of Rygg with musicians Jørn H. Sværen and Ole Aleksander Halstensgård, began the build-up to their next album last year, when they released the single Ghost Entry. They later revealed that they were eschewing the usual album release and promotion process in a social media statement.
IN MEMORIAM TORE YLVISAKER (1970–2024)
Where to even begin? Our friend for the better part of our adult lives is gone. He chose to leave life on what would be his 54th birthday, 16 August. It is excruciating.
Rewind: We – Kris and Jørn – met Tore in 1997, Endless Sound Studio, 3rd floor, Grønlandsleiret 14. Immediate bonds were formed, and Ulver began metamorphosing into the bastard it has become. First with the Blake album, a process that took well over a year, with Tore and Kris living in the studio, literally, and growing ever closer. Then came Perdition City, soundtracks and silence. When Endless ended, we moved up to Tore’s apartment on the 5th floor. Blood, sweat and tears.
After Shadows – a eulogy in itself – we headed from Grønlandsleiret to Crystal Canyon, 2nd floor, Gøteborggata 27B, and the band became bigger. Different. A collective, as many call it. This was, in retrospect, maybe a sign that we had been churning down the rabbit hole for so long, a decade in the machines, we needed some air and new impulses. We started to play live, we travelled, we had lots of fun under the sun. We also had some problems around this time, but we got through.
Since Canyon the constellation has been more mercurial, involving more people, all stars in their own right: Ole Alexander Halstensgård, Anders Møller, Tomas Pettersen, Daniel O’Sullivan, Ivar Thormodsæter, Stian Westerhus, Chris Fullard, Kristin Bøyesen and countless others. It has felt like one big family, and now one of its elders is gone.
Tore was always there, either with the vacuum cleaner or some vintage synth, patching or programming things. The wizard, the caretaker. He cared so much for the processes and mechanics of it all, and his technical expertise was and is unsurpassed, both studio and stage. He was a pro, and we are so glad to have been around him when he was in his element, happy and sparkly. Full of zest, and with this big grin that could make anyone feel like you were his best buddy, just like that.
So many have been touched – blessed – by Tore’s presence, his enthusiasm and knowledge. In more recent years also through GOBS, Gamle Oslo Backline Service, which he established around the time we assassinated Caesar. Polishing drum skins, rigging up and down hardware, driving around Oslo with gear and equipment to various venues or festivals. Self-sacrificing, down-to-earth, a man of the people!
Easy to love. One of a kind. And endlessly kind.
But there have been hard times too, of course. Differences. Wear and tear. Friction. Sadly – and it makes this hurt even more, and may come as a surprise to many – we did not have much contact these last few years. We only bring this up because, well, people be complicated, and bands even more so.
In the end we are human, all too human. Marked by age and ennui, family and duty, love and loss. Where did the good times go? Ouch, my back! Where are my glasses?
We were relieved when we heard Tore had moved up north, to spend time with and take care of his old folks, and to find space and focus on making music again, music that would be “just him”. This is something he had talked about for years, and we thought – perhaps naively – that maybe this was exactly what he needed at this point. We always figured we would find together again, like we have before, and, with time, become those old morons sitting on the porch of the retirement home, sipping sherry and pretending it’s a tour bus.
Oh, how we will remember our insane jargon, the parties, the places, the people. The shared life, as brothers in arms. Just thinking about all the weird shit we’ve been through together, through thick and thin, for 25 years as close friends, companions and co-conspirators.
We will remember Tore as the gentle, genuine, generous and, eh, “weird motherfucker” he was – we all agree on this terminology, and probably he would as well. The feelz that could only come from our very own mad professor, his unique approach to chords, scales, his inherent musicality – fingerspitzgefühl – which has defined too many of our songs and releases to mention.
Let it be said and heard: Ulver would never be what it is without him. Everyone knows this, and feels it deeply. We loved him. Love him.
It is painful to think of our brother now, his last days. Lord knows what was going through his mind. Tore leaving us like this is a crushing reminder that all good things come to an end. Sometimes sooner, more sudden than we are ready for.
That death is part of this life.
We all know this. But it is hard to accept. We will never see our friend again. It’s totally absurd.
Thank you so much, all of you who have written, reached out, sent flowers and shared your memories with us these last days. We are moved and grateful. It is testament to how much Tore has meant, mattered.
As many have already said: he will live forever in the music.
We are glad to be in touch with Tore’s family, all of whom are the warmest and most wonderful people. Solid wood, as we say up here north. Our deepest sympathies go to them. They have told us that there exists some music from Tore’s final days, Hemingway-style in an old house up in Elsfjorden. We will look into this in due time, in cooperation with them and his love of over a decade, Ingrid dearest.
As for the rest of us, we have been together this last week, reminiscing and comforting each other, and we believe that the only sane response at this time is to carry on. We have no choice. We have to keep living, howling, holding on to the things that give our lives purpose. Music. Even without Tore.
Now and forever a big black hole in our hearts.
Farewell, dearest brother. You are legend. We miss you deeply.
Ulver, Oslo, 26 August 2024
Roman P-V - 2024-09-23 12:48:01
