Elephant9 established their reputation as a live powerhouse long before their album debut in 2008, and have since released six more studio albums as well as two double live albums Psychedelic Backfire I and II in 2019, the latter featuring guest guitarist Reine Fiske, whose favorite guitarist happens to be Terje Rypdal. With both albums out of print, Catching Fire is a most welcome addition to their discography. Recorded at a remarkable 2017 concert in Oslo - Rypdal would turn 70 this year, Catching Fire shares similarities with classic live albums by Mahavishnu Orchestra, ELP and King Crimson, especially in terms of energy levels and sense of unbridled intensity. Yet there are also quiet passages, most notably in the 22-minute opener, where Rypdal introduces himself with some typical, glacial melodic lines. Rypdal is all the time on fire for lead action, heavy rhythm work and abstract acrobatics from his toolbox.Terje Rypdal's main work has been released on ECM, first as a member of the Jan Garbarek Quartet (Afric Pepperbird, 1970) and with his first solo album Terje Rypdal (1971), which up to Conspiracy (2020) comprises a total of about 30 releases.Ståle and Terje share a common musical understanding that stems from Ståle being the guitarist's "right hand" for almost 30 years, both in the studio and on stage. Torstein and Nikolai are the most solid of all rhythm sections, a well-oiled engine that combines finesse and power. Ståle Storlokken - Hammond, Rhodes, Mellotron Nikolai Hængsle - Electric bass Torstein Lofthus - Drums Terje Rypdal - Electric guitar.
