AATR PREMIERE – VICINITY “Distance” official video

23rd February 2024 0 By Jon Deaux

After announcing their new album “VIII”, Norwegian progsters VICINITY will now release a new digital single – the second – from the upcoming record. “Distance” is the chosen song this time and it will be released in an official video too. A direct, riff-based track, with a verse almost leaning into synthwave. The lyrical theme dwells on some of the darker tendencies of the human psyche. The song leans both into traditional prog metal bands like Threshold, as well as newer acts like Haken.

Out of Trondheim, on the cold shores of Norway, Vicinity has been crafting their mix of progressive metal, melodies and sophisticated rhythm patterns since 2006. Now reaching their third studio album, the five-piece has reached the perfect mix in their sound. “VIII” is a mature progressive metal album, with a fresh approach to composition.

Putting new influences to work in their already highly rich melting pot of references, “VIII” is a collection of progressive metal songs where the Norwegians drifted to a heavier, more concise sound than in the previous releases. The final result can please traditional prog fans of bands such as Threshold, as well as followers of newer acts such as Haken.

Mixing duties in “VIII” were handled by Øyvind Voldmo Larsen (Seventh Wonder, Circus Maximus, Withem) and mastering was done at Fascination Street Studios by Tony Lindgren (Ihsahn, James LaBrie, Leprous, Opeth).

Vicinity was founded in 2006 by Kim-Marius H. Olsen, Frode Lillevold and Kristian Nergård. Vocalist Alexander K. Lykke soon joined the blend making the first complete lineup. With the EP “Diffusion of Innovation”, the band’s first official release, Vicinity found its true style, writing longer, more technical progressive compositions.

In 2012 the band recorded their debut full-length album, “Awakening”, making this the debut recording of the new bass player Pierre Schmidt-Melbye, who joined the band following Nergård’s departure in 2009. Reidulf Wormdal joined the recording as a session keyboard player. The album was mixed by André Alvinzi and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios and was released by Indie Distribution and Pug-Nose Records in the fall of 2013.

In 2015 Vicinity went to work with their new album “Recurrence” which was released by Mighty Music in 2017. The drums were recorded at Skarp Studio, known for producing the drums for bands like Triosphere and Keep of Kalessin. Christer-André Cederberg, known for mixing Nine and Havoc for Circus Maximus and several releases by Anathema was enlisted to mix the album. Jens Bogren once again handled mastering duties. Following the release, Vicinity played concerts in Trondheim and Oslo and was booked to play festivals like Prøvesprengning and Totsås Rock.

Preparations for the upcoming album started in 2020 at Skansen Lydstudio, but further progress was impaired partly by Covid and the fact that, after 15 years in the band, Lykke decided in 2022 to pursue other interests and in agreement with the band to part ways. Vicinity tried out vocalist Erling Malm (Articulus, Endolith) at a live show in Trondheim, and decided then and there that he would be the vocalist going forward, and he immediately started working on vocals for “VIII”, adding more diversity to the singing department of the band.

“VIII” will be released on double LP (black vinyl), CD and digital formats via Uprising Records on March 8th, 2024.