Next Life (band)
Encyclopedia
Next Life is a Norwegian
progressive
, electronic-
and rock-based
band led by guitarist and composer Hai Nguyen Dinh, together with Tormod Christensen on bass and Anders Hangård on drums.
, Norway, their first show was at The Royal Oak (now called Total) in which the band only used an electric guitar, synth and Amiga
computer for drums, bass, and melody lines. The sounds derived, and what is partially still called a "chip-instrument", or precisely, the audio-chip of Amiga 1200
. As Dinh described in many interviews, from early on as a child did he cultivate his love of computer sounds and Commodore 64
.
Though broadly classified as electronic, Next Life has self-professed roots in straight-edge hardcore, metal and gaming. They cite bands such as Zeni Geva
, Strife
, Aphex Twin
and Orbital
as musical influences, but combine their very aggressive, visceral sound with typical RPG
/science-fiction themes such as digital technology, astrology, and mythology. Through the years the band has involved new contributors, thus extending their sound into new directions. The influence of Hangård on drums for example, has caused a more organic quality and complexity then the previously more detached, hammering, kraut-like sound. The band has also been noted for use of live visuals in their shows—spastic video projections and an intensive, programmed lightshow.
In 2010, the band toured the UK in support of Canadian composer Owen Pallett
(a.k.a. Final Fantasy). In the same year, Next Life provided the opening act for Mayhem
in Berlin, Germany.
The band has released their music solely on independent labels; primarily a label spawned from Oslo's
oldest independent record store, Fysisk Format. Both the album artwork to Electric Violence (2006) and The Lost Age (2009) is by the Norwegian artist Are Møkkelbost. Next Life's latest album entitled, "Artificial Divinity" was released in Summer 2011 and received good reviews in national papers.
Next Life is currently supported by the Arts Council Norway (Kulturrådet).
Past members:
Dinh has also worked extensively with theatre, set-design and sound installation. In 2010, he toured Europe and China as a performer and composer in Verdensteatret, an avant-garde theatre collective sponsored by the Arts Council Norway, the Norwegian Office for Contemporary Art, and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their performance, "And All the Questionmarks Started to Sing", received critical acclaim in Norwegian newspapers. The project is described as, "a composition in the form of a hybrid between performance, concert and installation. A transparent though complex work with an overwhelming richness of details. It might be described as an art-machine played by musicians, performers and robots." In 2011, the company will debut Stateside in New York City's Future Perfect Festival; also coinciding with Next Life's first US tour there.
Anders Hangård has also played drums in Norwegian metal bands NoPlaceToHide and Saprophyth.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
progressive
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
, electronic-
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
and rock-based
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band led by guitarist and composer Hai Nguyen Dinh, together with Tormod Christensen on bass and Anders Hangård on drums.
Biography
Formed by Dinh in 1999 in TønsbergTønsberg
is a city and municipality in Vestfold county, southern Norway, located around north-east of Sandefjord. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Tønsberg....
, Norway, their first show was at The Royal Oak (now called Total) in which the band only used an electric guitar, synth and Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
computer for drums, bass, and melody lines. The sounds derived, and what is partially still called a "chip-instrument", or precisely, the audio-chip of Amiga 1200
Amiga 1200
The Amiga 1200, or A1200 , was Commodore International's third-generation Amiga computer, aimed at the home market...
. As Dinh described in many interviews, from early on as a child did he cultivate his love of computer sounds and Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
.
Though broadly classified as electronic, Next Life has self-professed roots in straight-edge hardcore, metal and gaming. They cite bands such as Zeni Geva
Zeni Geva
Zeni Geva is a Japanese heavy metal group led by singer and guitarist KK. Null, together with guitarist Mitsuru Tabata and drummer Tatsuya Yoshida...
, Strife
Strife (band)
Strife is an American hardcore punk band from Thousand Oaks, California. But is now primarily based out of Los Angeles, California. They formed in 1991...
, Aphex Twin
Aphex Twin
Richard David James , best known under the pseudonym Aphex Twin, is an Irish-born electronic musician and composer described as "the most inventive and influential figure in contemporary electronic music"...
and Orbital
Orbital (band)
Orbital are a British electronic dance music duo from Sevenoaks, England consisting of brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll. Their career initially ran from 1989 until 2004, but in 2009 they announced that they would be reforming and headlining The Big Chill, in addition to a number of other live shows...
as musical influences, but combine their very aggressive, visceral sound with typical RPG
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
/science-fiction themes such as digital technology, astrology, and mythology. Through the years the band has involved new contributors, thus extending their sound into new directions. The influence of Hangård on drums for example, has caused a more organic quality and complexity then the previously more detached, hammering, kraut-like sound. The band has also been noted for use of live visuals in their shows—spastic video projections and an intensive, programmed lightshow.
In 2010, the band toured the UK in support of Canadian composer Owen Pallett
Owen Pallett
Michael James Owen Pallett is a Canadian composer, violinist, keyboardist, and vocalist from Toronto, Ontario. He won the 2006 Polaris Music Prize for the album He Poos Clouds....
(a.k.a. Final Fantasy). In the same year, Next Life provided the opening act for Mayhem
Mayhem (band)
Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1984 in Oslo, Norway and regarded as one of the pioneers of the influential Norwegian black metal scene...
in Berlin, Germany.
The band has released their music solely on independent labels; primarily a label spawned from Oslo's
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
oldest independent record store, Fysisk Format. Both the album artwork to Electric Violence (2006) and The Lost Age (2009) is by the Norwegian artist Are Møkkelbost. Next Life's latest album entitled, "Artificial Divinity" was released in Summer 2011 and received good reviews in national papers.
Next Life is currently supported by the Arts Council Norway (Kulturrådet).
Band members
- Hai Nguyen Dinh - guitar, lights, video
- Tormod Christensen - bass
- Anders Hangård - drums
Past members:
- Trond Jensen (2008–2009) - samples, programming
- Katrine Bølstad (2004–2006) - vocal
- Petter SnekkestadJR EwingJR Ewing was a hardcore punk/screamo band from Norway. They formed in 1998 in Oslo, Norway and broke up after their final tour across Europe in 2006.- Discography :Full Albums:* 2000 - Calling in Dead* 2003 - Ride Paranoia* 2005 - Maelstrom...
(1999–2000) - keyboard - Unn Fahlstrøm (2002) - video
Albums
- 2006: Electric Violence CD released, 14 tracks. Cock Rock Disco, CRD008
- 2009: The Lost Age CD released, 16 tracks. Fysisk Format, FY008
- 2011: Artificial Divinity CD/LP released, 12 tracks. Conspiracy Records/Fysisk Format, Core 103
EPs and singles
- 2000: First demo tape, "Face Casette". Lobster-Attack, LA000
- 2000: Red End 7" vinyl, 6 tracks. Lobster-Attack, LA001
- 2010: Resurrection CD/split 12" with Haust. Fysisk Format, FY025
Compilations
- 2003: Sivil Ulyd 2 CD, Passive Fist Records
- 2004: Yabasta Beats CD, 2002, Yabasta
- 2006: Free Compilation 2006 CD, Cock Rock Disco
- 2008: Free Compilation 2008 CD, Cock Rock Disco
- 2009: Bransjevelter 1, Fysisk Format
- 2010: Bransjevelter 2, Fysisk Format
- 2010: Bransjevelter 3, Fysisk Format
Other contributions
In 2006, Next Life composed the theme for the trailer to computer game, Metal Slug: Mobile Impact.Dinh has also worked extensively with theatre, set-design and sound installation. In 2010, he toured Europe and China as a performer and composer in Verdensteatret, an avant-garde theatre collective sponsored by the Arts Council Norway, the Norwegian Office for Contemporary Art, and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their performance, "And All the Questionmarks Started to Sing", received critical acclaim in Norwegian newspapers. The project is described as, "a composition in the form of a hybrid between performance, concert and installation. A transparent though complex work with an overwhelming richness of details. It might be described as an art-machine played by musicians, performers and robots." In 2011, the company will debut Stateside in New York City's Future Perfect Festival; also coinciding with Next Life's first US tour there.
Anders Hangård has also played drums in Norwegian metal bands NoPlaceToHide and Saprophyth.