Scandinavia’s premier roots-rock renegades Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado return with news that their brand new album of high-energy swamp rock, smouldering ballads and cinematic blues-rock going by the handle House Of Sticks, is due for release on 31st January via the Provogue/Mascot Label Group. Before that, comes their new single and video ‘Inner Light’ that’s out now.
A soulful funk-laden earworm that fuses Sly & The Family Stone‘s swagger with Risager’s distinctive smoky vocals. “This song,” he said, “was pretty clear to me when writing about it. It’s about getting older. The light has changed a little bit. It happens to everybody. The whole thing is not as bright as it once was when you get older.”
Though reflective, the song also leads into the optimism of life as he croons, “I know I’m stronger than the darkness, I’m going to hold on till summer comes around, and I remember every soul that we lost along the way,” to a bright brass section, bringing the light into view. “I’m also a big funk fan. I always create a funk song when I write the songs for the album. It’s usually a floor filler, too. We see ourselves as a blues rock band, but funk is a part of the blues family,” he smiled
The award-winning Danes have already released the pulsating groove of ‘Long Time Ago’, that sees Risager’s soulful vocals swoon around the swampy, raw energy that has become synonymous with The Black Tornado‘s sound. When ‘Already Gone’ dropped in June, it was the band’s first new music since the release of their 2022 album, Navigation Blues. Its galloping rhythms strides through groove-infused blues rock, buoyed by searing solos and wrapped around a forlorn love story – “This is what I would call the most classic Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado song on the album.”
The band has spent nine to ten months a year on the road over the last two decades traversing Europe, covering almost every inch, over twenty countries, sweeping through the islands and mainland of their home country Denmark and through the rocky terrains and bright lights of Sweden, Finland and Norway countryside and cities. They’ve graced stages in the valleys and mountain regions in Switzerland and have circumnavigated Germany, France, The Netherlands as well as hurtling through Croatia, Greece, the UK and Spain. They’ve played aboard cruise ships, packed all eight members into smokey jazz bars to large theatres and captivated the biggest festival stages. Their euphoric blend of blues ‘n roll has taken them as far as the US, Canada and India on their quest to enchant crowds into The Black Tornado congregation with their live performances.
From moving feet on the dancefloor to moving minds within the lyrics, telling people is not what they’re here for. It’s about bringing them along for the experience. “I don’t like to analyse my lyrics too much. I find it kind of devalues the song if it’s explained too much,” said the smooth voiced and softly spoken Risager.
When the octet takes to the stage, it’s a visual feast. The traditional set up of vocals, guitar, bass and drums is joined by a piano, woodwind, brass, strings and multiple backing vocalists. His laid-back stage presence and delivery are complemented by the band of friends of twenty years around him. “I don’t see myself as a very good entertainer. The band gets people to clap and do funny moves, and of course, they also have their solos. So, we have so many strings to play on, and that’s also one of the secrets of how we’ve been together for so long. I’m not standing with the whole responsibility to entertain the audience. Our saxophone player, Hans Nybo, is a natural. As soon as he steps on stage, he just draws people’s attention.”
Their ninth studio album, House Of Sticks was recorded between April and June 2024 between Medley Studios and Mill Factory NuVenue Studios in Copenhagen. It was produced once again by Risager and bass player Søren Bøjgaard, with additional production by guitarist Joachim Svensmark.
They’ve won four Danish Music Awards (with seven nominations), the “Best Band in the European Blues Awards and won the prestigious German Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik Jahrespreis – German Record Critics’ Awards. Blazing a trail worldwide, they’ve captivated crowds with their dynamic stage presence and a sound that fuses soul Chicago blues, boogie, and rock ‘n’ roll with a voice that’s been described as “where Ray Charles, Van Morrison, and Billy Gibbons meet in the middle”. They’ve opened for Bonnie Raitt, the Tedeschi Trucks Band even picked up a fan in Elwood Blues himself – Dan Aykroyd! – who hailed their “Hot rhythm and blues.”
Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado show no signs of slowing down. With every tour and every release, the octet is intent on bringing their “delicious blend of swaggering boogie and irresistible blues” to captivate even more people to come along for the ride.
Available digitally, stream Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado’s singles here and check out their accompanying videos at RAMzine.
House Of Sticks can be ordered here.
