Two years on from their spellbinding debut 'The Approbation', AVKRVST are presenting their second and most formidable album to date: 'Waving at the Sky' takes the band's compelling sounds and pushes them further towards progressive perfection. A dark and devastating concept record about real life events, it is a spiritual successor to its predecessor, and a huge leap forward on every conceivable level. The album's hazy, unsettling narrative is based on the harrowing events that took place in rural Norway when Simon Bergseth and Martin Utby were children: The seven tracks are inspired by a gruesome family tragedy about abuse that is as dark as it gets. Although inspired by gruesome and traumatic events, 'Waving at the Sky' is not entirely consumed by darkness. In fact, AVKRVST have undergone a beautiful evolution, with every aspect of their genre-blending sound enhanced beyond measure. From the staccato gut-punch that ushers in groove-driven opener 'Preceding', and the tense, propulsive prog metal of 'The Trauma', to the folk-rock sprawl of 'Conflating Memories', and the overwhelming, atmospheric potency of the epic, closing title track, 'Waving at the Sky' is modern progressive music at its deepest, darkest and most bewitching. In addition, there is a glorious cameo from Haken frontman Ross Jennings on the razor-sharp single 'The Malevolent'. Written and recorded in Alvdal, Norway, 'Waving at the Sky' is a mesmerising display of sophisticated songwriting, technical excellence and expert storytelling. It was engineered by the band, subsequently mixed to prog perfection by Simon Bergseth, and mastered by his father, Kjetil Bergseth. A powerful statement from one of the most creative bands around, 'Waving at the Sky' proudly expands AVKRVST's musical world and delivers a poignant but deeply rewarding listening experience and intelligent exploration of real world horrors.
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