Sex Magick Wizards is a Norwegian-Sámi quartet blending psychedelic rock, free improvisation and joik into hypnotic, ritualistic soundscapes. For years they have stormed Europe’s underground and experimental music scenes, earning acclaim for intense and unpredictable live performances.
The double album Suola ja Noaidi (The Thief and the Shaman) draws on themes of colonisation, weaponised religion and Sámi resilience. Working from this cultural material, Sex Magick Wizards have created a double album combining traditional joik elements with their signature experimental rock sound and freeform avant-garde improvisation. By combining fragments of Northern Sámi from the original poem with new lyrics in both English and Northern Sámi and focusing more heavily on vocals, the band creates a highly distinctive sonic language rarely heard within experimental rock. The album also contains a new interpretation of an old traditional joik from guitarist/singer/joiker Viktor Bomstad’s childhood home, Ivgorášša.
Featuring cover art by Henrik Sørlid built upon collages by Sámi artist Ingunn Utsi, the original fragmentary joik lyrics in both Northern Sámi and English translation and original lyrics by the band with translations into Northern Sámi by Risten Sofie West, Suola ja Noaidi offers an immersive experience of ritual, narrative, and sound. The band, Viktor Bomstad (guitar, joik, vocals, synth), Sigrid Aftret (saxophone, flutes, synth, vocals), Henrik Sandstad Dalen (bass, sampler, vocals) and Ingvald André Vassbø (drums, vocals), continues to push the boundaries of experimental rock, drawing from Sámi culture and the avant-garde tradition.
Featuring members from Kanaan, Bêl, OJKOS, Full Community, Rowland's Evil Jazz Trio.
For fans of Captain Beefheart, Wizrd, Archie Shepp, Throbbing Gristle, Fire!, Maja Ratkje, Full Earth.
