Collapse and rebirth. It’s a theme that runs through the best rock records, and it’s the beating heart of Down In Flames, the debut album from Bergen melodic hardrock four-piece Glasgow Kiss. Hard riffs, melodic choruses, and Charlotte’s vocals on top, this is a band who refuse to sound like anyone else and have built something distinctly theirs out of the wreckage. We caught up with vocalist Charlotte and bassist John to get them on our radar.
Who are you and where are you from?
We are Glasgow Kiss from Bergen in Norway. Here talking to Charlotte (vocals) and John (bass).
How did the band form?
Us guys have played together for many years in a different band but we parted ways with our vocalist in 2019. Soon after we heard rumours that Charlotte was available, so we were quick to call her and show our interest. We met for a test rehearsal and it was magic from there on.
How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard you?
We are a riff-based melodic hard rock band that does not try to sound like anyone else. We put pride in making our own sound and capturing the energy in our music. Hard riffs, melodic choruses and Charlotte’s great voice to top it!
Which bands have shaped what you do?
We all come from different musical backgrounds, so it is hard to name a few bands. It could be anything from heavy rock, black metal, pop/rock and even country!
What’s the one song of yours people should hear first?
It should be ‘Forsaken’. It really captures our raw energy and has a lot of exciting elements, plus a really catchy riff and chorus.
Tell us a story about your band.
We’d put one particular rehearsal into a time capsule. The moment our guitarist’s cat peed on the pedalboard and nearly fried the entire signal chain. It was pure chaos, equal parts panic and uncontrollable laughter, and somehow the rehearsal still went on. That moment should be opened by his grandkids in 20 years, as proof that making music is never just about the songs. It’s about the absurd, unforgettable moments that turn into legends over time.
What’s been your best gig so far?
Our release concert for Down In Flames at Hulen, Bergen in February. My god, what energy! It was hot, sweaty and the audience was absolutely amazing!
What’s the music scene like where you’re based?
Bergen has a reputation for being small but creatively powerful. There are concerts happening almost every week across genres. Hulen is a legendary underground student-run venue carved into a former bomb shelter, with a strong focus on rock, indie, metal and alternative. Det Akademiske Kvarter is a multi-room student venue with concerts, club nights, and cultural events. USF Verftet hosts jazz, experimental music, international touring acts, and festivals. Grieghallen is the main concert hall for classical music and larger productions.
Tell us the story behind one of your tracks.
Our ballad ‘One Last Time’ is written for one of Charlotte’s best friends who died of cancer at a young age. That song is filled with grief and longing, an everlasting bond. Finding comfort in the wish of reuniting after death.
Tell us about your new album.
Down In Flames by Glasgow Kiss is about collapse and rebirth. The album explores what happens when relationships, identity, and expectations fall apart, and the choice between staying down or rising from it. There’s a constant tension between vulnerability and defiance. Some songs lean into introspection and emotional weight, while others push forward with urgency and fire. At its heart, Down In Flames is about hitting a breaking point and finding strength in the aftermath.
What’s next for you?
2026 is going to be a big year for us. We’re heading out on tour across Norway, bringing Down In Flames to the stage and giving the songs the live energy they were built for. At the same time, we’re already deep into writing new material. We’re working on songs for the next album, pushing our sound further and exploring new directions while staying true to who we are. So what’s next? More shows, more intensity, and the next chapter of Glasgow Kiss already taking shape.
Where can people find you?
You can find Glasgow Kiss online and in person wherever music lives. Follow us and stream our album Down In Flames on all major platforms.
Anything else you want people to know?
Just that we truly appreciate everyone who takes the time to listen. Down In Flames is an honest record for us, and we hope people connect with it in their own way. If you come to a show, come ready to feel something. We put everything into the live experience. This is just the beginning for Glasgow Kiss.
