Purveyors of Norwegian folk-rock, Gangar combines folk with jazz, metal, and rock in a most natural way by finding old traditional tunes in the archives and then arranging them with inspiration from bands such as Hoven Droven, AC/DC and Meshuggah. Together for about two years, Gangar includes Mattias Thedens (fiddle, Hardanger fiddle), Oskar Lindberget (saxophone), Richard Max (electric guitar), Henrik Dullum (drums) and Jonas Thrana Jensen (electric bass).

Gangar’s frontman and fiddle player Mattias Thedens grew up in a folk music family, having played Norwegian and American folk music since he was nine years old. Saxophonist Oskar Lindberget is firmly planted in jazz tradition, despite his young age he has contributed to no less than 18 recordings. Guitarist Richard Max has a background as a drummer and hardcore fan of prog metal. He provides the syncopated rhythms and guitar riffs with heavy distortion. Drummer Henrik Dullum grew up with rock, first exposed to folk music when he moved to the big city of Oslo from Trondheim. Bassist Jonas Thrana Jensen cut his teeth in popular music and rock, finding Gangar to peek his interest to explore the folk music traditions.

Gangar’s EP Tres Danser (Three Dances) includes three selections: “Fjellets Melodi,” “Gammel Vals fra Rindalen” and “Reinlender fra Åseral.” Tre Danser also refers to Gangar’s signature dance, “The Tree Dance,” where you lock your legs, lift your arms, and sway like a tree with the wind. All three songs have infectious punk spunk, rocking Red Bull-fueled rhythms and short, snappy bursts of fiery instrumentals. While they don’t have a lead vocalist, “Fjellets Melodi” has them all singing a short phrase together before Richard Max’s electric guitar takes a swirling solo. “Gammel Vals fra Rindalen” starts with a fluid baritone sax groove, and then the song evolves with raw energy and brash attitude into a melodramatic presentation. The Hardanger fiddle kicks off the third and final selection that becomes a powerful statement on Gangar’s EP. I could definitely see this band on a large outdoor festival stage making a significant impact on a large crowd in attendance. Their lively numbers that will put spirit into your feet.

Gangar has opened for Hoven Droven’s 30th anniversary album release (2021), showcased at Nordic Folk Alliance in Gothenburg (2022), performed at various music festivals in Estonia, The Netherlands, Norway and even in North America at Folk Alliance International in the U.S. Their EP was produced by Kjell-Erik Eriksson, folk rock legend and fiddle player with Hoven Droven. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)