IN THE WOODS… release and stream their acclaimed new album “Otra“, today, on April 11, 2025. The seventh full-length of the eclectic Norwegians has scored a #2 in the soundcheck of Metal.de, and also reached the top ten of both Rock Hard (#7) and Metal Hammer (#9) in Germany.
Shop link: http://lnk.spkr.media/inthewoods-otra
IN THE WOODS… comment: “We are incredibly proud to present Otra, our latest creation, which is rooted deeply within the natural beauty and essence of our homeland”, guitarist and keyboard player Kåre André Sletteberg writes on behalf of the band. “This album is our tribute to the river Otra, which runs through the heart of Kristiansand and carves its way through the landscapes that have inspired us from the very beginning. The Otra is more than just a river to us – it’s a symbol of the cycles of life, of growth and renewal, and of the enduring connection between nature and the human spirit. Its flowing waters have shaped our surroundings and, in many ways, have shaped the music that we create. Just as the river twists and turns, so do our compositions, which are ever-evolving, while exploring the depths of emotion and sound. In Kristiansand, the Otra binds us together. It’s a lifeline running through the city, providing not only sustenance, but a constant source of inspiration. We have drawn from its currents, its peaceful surface, and its untamed power to fuel the soul of this album. ‘Otra’ is a journey – one that mirrors the river’s path, taking us through moments of serenity and storms, of reflection and raw intensity. We hope that you will feel this connection as deeply as we do. ‘Otra’ is not just a testament to our shared roots in this land, but a celebration of how nature continues to influence and inspire our art. This album is for the river, for Kristiansand, and for all who walk along its banks.”
Tracklist
1. The Things You Shouldn’t Know
2. A Misrepresentation of I
3. The Crimson Crown
4. The Kiss and the Lie
5. Let Me Sing
6. Come Ye Sinners
7. The Wandering Deity
With their seventh studio album “Otra”, Norwegian avant-garde metal stalwards IN THE WOODS… might surprise their listeners – and particularly those, who have not followed the remarkable evolution that the band from the southern Norwegian city of Kristiansand has undergone since the early nineties.
The tracks of “Otra” are surprisingly captivating with melodic tunes dominating the present sound of IN THE WOODS… – although progressive elements and the occasional rough reminder of the Norwegians’ harsh past are also regularly shimmering through the fabric of these songs. What sets “Otra” apart from the average heavy work of music is the excellence of composition that shows expert level experience and comes with a seeming ease that makes the achievement even greater.
Lyrically, “Otra” revolves around stories connected to the eponymous river that winds for 245 kilometres through the South of Norway and spills into the Skagerrak, the strait that separates the country from Denmark and Sweden, at the band’s home in Kristiansand.
There is hardly a need to introduce the name IN THE WOODS… to any adherent of avant-garde and black metal. Their coordinates within the scene are also well known: The Norwegians were among the bands that have participated in the burgeoning evolution of black metal in the early nineties and have had a large part in the shaping of the sound of a strong subgenre.
IN THE WOODS… were founded in Kristiansand in 1991. At the time, the band emerged as an offshoot of the original line-up of GREEN CARNATION, which some of the members were also a part of. They quickly gained a strong reputation within the underground as an innovative entity that was pushing the boundaries of their genre. Their 1993 demo “Isle of Men” became widely circulated in the tape trading community. Many of its ideas and riffs flowed into the first full-length “Heart of the Ages” (1995), which made a lasting impact on black metal and is rightfully regarded as one of the genre’s early classics.
Refusing to rest on their laurels, IN THE WOODS… progressed further into different musical dimensions with “Omnio” (1997) and “Strange in Stereo” (1999) that were both rich in experimentation. In the year 2000, the Norwegians announced their split, marking the end of their first era.
After the tragic death of founding guitarist Oddvar A.M. aka Oddvar Moi on May 13, 2013, drummer Anders Kobro revived the band and got the Botteri twins from the original core line-up back on board. They were joined by new vocalist James Fogarty and guitarist Kåre André Sletteberg. This led to the second life cycle of the band that began with the official reunion in 2014. The acclaimed album “Pure” followed in 2016, but the same year the Botteri brothers decided to leave again. Despite a phase of line-up changes, IN THE WOODS… managed to release another strong album with “Cease the Day” in 2018. During the production of the next full-length “Diversum”, vocalist James Fogarty parted ways with the band in December 2021, which also marks the end of a somewhat tumultuous second cycle.
In the meantime, guitarist Bernt Horne Sørensen and local bass player Nils Olav Drivdal had joined the band. In 2022, vocalist Bernt Fjellestad completed IN THE WOODS… and “Diversum” was finalised to be released the same year. With a finally stable and strong line-up, the Norwegians have worked hard on all fronts. The celebrated performance at Prophecy Fest 2024 gave witness to a band having reached a new peak, ready to take on the world.
With “Otra”, IN THE WOODS… demonstrate the strength and artistic maturity of the Norwegians’ third incarnation. Enticing and highly pleasurable to listen to, the record is nonetheless crammed with glorious details and surprising twists that reveal themselves only after many spins. “Otra” is the exciting album that the many followers of IN THE WOODS… have been hoping for – and although it very much respects the band’s past, it also breaks new ground. Enjoy!
Band: In the Woods…
Album title: Otra
Release date: April 11, 2025
Style: Avant-garde metal
Label: Prophecy Productions
Review Impact Date: March 10, 2025
Line-up
Anders Kobro – drums
Bernt Fjellestad – vocals
Kåre André Sletteberg – guitars, keyboards
Bernt Horne Sørensen – guitars
Nils Olav Drivdal – bass
Guest musicians
Alf Erik Sørensen – addditional keyboards
Hector Montero – additional synth
Guitars, bass & vocal recording at In The Woods Homestudio, Kristiansand (NO)
Drum recording by John Ronny Bøe at Krutt Studio, Kristiansand (NO)
Mixing & mastering by Frédéric Gervais at Studio Henosis, Bois d’Arcy (FR)
Artwork & layout by Seiya Ogino (Ogino Design)
Available formats
“Otra” is available Digipak CD, as a 2CD 36-page artbook, as a Gatefold black vinyl LP, as a Gatefold velvet purple vinyl LP, and as a Gatefold marbled Dracula red & black vinyl LP.
Shop
http://lnk.spkr.media/inthewoods-otra
Links
www.facebook.com/inthewoodsomnio
www.instagram.com/inthewoodsoffical