FREEDUMB – ‘Feverish’ streaming track (Fucking North Pole Records)

latest teaser from solid Norwegian punkers

---

Feverish is the first FREEDUMB song to feature guitarist Kim Trøbråten on lead vocals and the third single from the forthcoming Social Hangover album.

The second track in this run of teasers, Sudden Deaf, already had them running to the rock hills for inspiration but Feverish sees the band unashamedly go all in. The guitarist takes Dickie Hammond’s (LEATHERFACE/HDQ/DOCTOR BISON/THE JONES) signature style, running in a strident rock direction, THE CULT-on-speed rather than THE RUTS. The less punk, more rock vocals sound a little odd over the fast sections but it works its way in after a few plays. The riff is incredible, the chorus anthemic, think DOCTOR BISON turning up the cheesy rock dial and sprinkling it with punk speed. Great fun. On the strength of the three songs released so far, Social Hangover, due for release in October 2022, is shaping up to be a drool-worthy prospect indeed.

Released June 10th. I’m a little late, shoot me.

FREEDUMB – Sudden Deaf single (Fucking North Pole Records)

head trauma and punk rock

---

I was out hanging posters and when I was going down from a concrete plateau I forgot that it was mirror-smooth. So I set off and jumped down and my legs disappeared beneath me. The fall did not hurt much, but I was a few millimeters from hitting the concrete edge so my concern was how close I was to a bloody affair. Continued to hang up posters, but quickly noticed that everything was not quite right. Went to the emergency room and they said I would get better in 2-3 days, but the form only got worse and worse. Every morning I woke up with a high constant tinnitus that got louder and more intense throughout the day. Life was turned upside down and concerts, rehearsals, screen time, driving and listening to music became impossible. It took almost a year before I could return to my normal life, but I feel that I have never been quite the same after the accident and that there are late injuries that I still struggle with to a certain degree.

Torstein Eriksen (vocal/bass/songwriter – Freedumb)

Norwegian punksters FREEDUMB are back, with another track to tease their upcoming Social Hangover album, this time covering a personal story of head trauma and mental health.

This is just a punk rock song (©BAD RELIGION) with no bells, whistles or quirks. It does, however, ooze personality, passion and commitment. With a tinge of THE RUTS, a DEAD KENNEDYS guitar and a gobbet of the abrasive, skate-punk of GOOD RIDDANCE, the band own it all, right down to a healthy dose of anthemic rock in that oh-so catchy chorus. Punchy drums, crisp guitars and unapologetically melodic vocals combine to straddle the punk rock decades, resulting in a vibrant song bristling with hooks. My short attention span had no trouble keeping up with the three minute-plus run time and if Sudden Deaf and last year’s Get Away are any indication, the album is shaping up to be a real cruncher.

Released 26th January, so go check it out here

FREEDUMB – ‘Get Away’ single stream/download (self-released)

early preview for 2022 album from Norwegian punkers

---

I have seen this name floating around over the years but never homed in. Hailing from Norway, they’ve been around since 2003, have faced turbulent times and released some interesting skate punk/melodic hardcore. Get Away is the first release from their forthcoming 2022 album Social Hangover.

Get Away isn’t about to change the punk landscape but it is a fine slice of fast melodic hardcore. Anthemic backing vocals, pick slides, galloping drums and a juicy slower section, all are present and correct. There’s a pleasing Dickie Hammond (LEATHERFACE, HDQ) influence in the guitar work and a sniff of AVAIL passion in the song-writing, the resulting noise sure to please fans of those, as well as the likes of STRIKE ANYWHERE.

It is what it is though: one song in isolation, from an album that, due to pressing plant hold-ups, is not due until next Summer. Cleanly produced and stripped of its wider context, there’s little else to say, except that if the album is crammed with songs like this, I’m in.

Have a listen:

https://freedumbnorway.bandcamp.com/track/get-away