May 6th, 2019 - The Kveikian Rubicon

God kveld!  The Meista here tonight pairing the brilliant "Rubicon" by Tristania and a tasty Kveik 1 from Shades Of Pale Brewing Company!

Album Info:

• Artist: Tristania
• Title: "Rubicon"
• Recorded: January through March 2010 at Tanken Studio, K-Lab Studio, and Stavanger and Amadeus Studio in Oslo, Norway
• Release date: August 25th, 2010 (6th full-length studio album by Tristania)
• Record company: Napalm Records
• Production: Anders Høyvik Hidle, Ole Vistnes, and Waldemar Sorychta
• Album cover art: angst-im-wald
• Personnel: Mariangela Demurtas (vocals), Anders Høyvik Hidle (guitars and vocals), Tarald Lie Jr. (drums), Gyri Smørdal Losnegaard (guitars), Einar Moen (keyboards, synthesizers, and programming), Kjetil Nordhus (vocals), and Ole Vistnes (bass, keyboards, and backing vocals)
• Guest musicians: Østen Bergøy (vocals), Pete Johansen (violin), and Sigmund Olgart Vegge (additional vocals on "Vulture")
• Musical style: Alternative metal, nu metal with elements of gothic metal and symphonic metal
• Sound: With a totally different line-up, the sound on "Rubicon" takes a more alternative metal/nu metal approach as opposed to the classic symphonic/gothic metal sound of the band.  Those elements are still there, but more subdued.  More modern, more rocking, "Rubicon" is a testament to the talent of Anders and his drive to create something new out of the ashes of Tristania.  It is emotional, complex, and dark!  Demurtas' voice, foiled against Nordhus' is hauntingly beautiful and wonderfully powerful.  The compositions are tight, yet fluid and beautiful!
• Major themes: Deception, introversion, darkness, isolation, anger, pain, human reltaionships, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Year Of The Rat"
2. "Protection"
3. "Patriot Games"
4. "The Passing"
5. "Exile"
6. "Sirens"
7. "Vulture"
8. "Amnesia"
9. "Magical Fix"
10. "Illumination"

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Shades Of Pale Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://shadesofpale.com/
• Brew: Kveik 1
• Style: Farmhouse Ale / American-Style Golden Sour Ale
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 6.5% 
• Ingredients: Nelson Sauvin hops and Norwegian Kveik yeast
• Pour: The Kveik 1 pours a very murky golden-yellow color with a thin, white head that dissipates quickly, leaving only a thin ring.
• Nose: The nose is very tart, fruity, hoppy, and floral.  There are aromas of grapefruit, papaya, mango, tangerine, lemon, grassy hops, wild flowers, herbs, and a hint of soft caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Kveik 1 is citrusy, tart, and juicy.  There are notes of pink grapefruit, orange peel, papaya, mango, lemon juice, apricot, and a little barnyard funk.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is very crisp, tart, somewhat bitter, and juicy, with a dry and peppery finish.

Overall pairing: The Kveik 1 is a complex, unique, and wonderfully tasty brew... perfect for the gothic beauty and darkness of Tristania's amazing and very underrated "Rubicon"!

Skål!!  Hails!!