My review of Hedvig Mollestad Trio's All of Them Witches, the Norwegian guitar power trio's second album for Rune Grammofon, today at All About Jazz.

A student from Trondheim, Norway, guitarist Mollestad is one of many Norwegian women pushing into territory largely occupied by men. There have been exceptions, of course; Jane Getter is a terrific American fusion guitarist whose latest record is well worth checking out. But Mollestad's area is closer to hard rock instrumental, even as she demonstrates a deeper language and compositional approach to her occasionally riff-based tunes.

A double bass in this context might seem off, but Ellen Brekken not only pulls it off, she demonstrates just how appropriate a choice it turns out to be. Driving a hard anchor, she works hand-in-glove with Ivar Loe Bjørnstad, while also allowing the drummer freedom to turn to more turbulent, interpretive playing.

A thundering, ear-shattering and all-around mind-blowing record where Mollestad rarely resorts to excess pyrotechnics, making the times she does all the more powerful and dramatic.


Review here.