Leprous

Norway’s prog princes take the throne

With 16 years under their belt, Norway’s Leprous have not been an overnight success. But since frontman/keyboardist Einar Solberg and guitarist Tor Oddmund Suhrke started the band aged 16 and 15, they’ve slowly but surely morphed into a progressive force.

“The fact that Einar writes most of the music often leads to guitar riffs that no guitarist in his right mind would ever make,” reveals Tor. “And that is a feature that I think is very special for many of Leprous’ songs, and something that always forces me to evolve as a guitarist.” The group’s superb fifth album Malina is a new high-water mark, toning down the distortion, but finding new musical maturity in its dynamic, crystalline compositions. “There’s not always a shortcut to get where you want,” reflects Tor. “Being patient and hard working is the best you can do.”

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