Northward (band)

Northward is a hard rock duo composed of Dutch vocalist Floor Jansen of Nightwish and Norwegian guitarist Jørn Viggo Lofstad of Pagan's Mind.[1] The two created the project in 2007, writing an entire album worth of music in 2008 but being unable to record it due to label issues and their busy schedules; they ultimately reunited in 2017 to finally record the album, which was released on October 19, 2018 by Nuclear Blast.[2]

For other uses, see North (disambiguation).
Northward
GenresHard rock
Years active2007–2008, 2017–present
LabelsNuclear Blast
Members

Jansen stated that as both she and Lofstad are busy in their respective bands, Northward is a studio side-project and not a proper band, and that it would not perform live.[3]

History

Creation (2007–2008)

At the 2007 ProgPower USA festival, on which Jansen performed with her band After Forever and Lofstad performed with Pagan's Mind, the festival concluded with an "All Star Jam" featuring members of the bands who had performed at the festival, including Jansen and Lofstad. Back then, Jansen had the idea of taking a year off in 2008 so she could work on writing a heavy metal album, after spending the ten previous years doing progressive metal. Having been impressed by Lofstad at ProgPower, Jansen offered him to be involved in the project together, and the two wrote an entire album worth of music.[4]

Jansen and Lofstad put together a line-up in 2008 and recorded the drums for the album, but, as they were about to sign a recording deal, After Forever disbanded (although they would only make it public in February 2009), and as the result, Jansen and Lofstad's recording deal was cancelled. Now in need of a new main band, Jansen decided to put their side-project on hold to focus on a new full-time band, which became ReVamp.[4]

Failed reunion attempts (2008–2016)

The two tried to reunite during the following years, but difficulties on Jansen's part made it impossible: first, she suffered health issues in 2011 and a severe burnout which forced her to stop working and teaching, and to cancel the rest of ReVamp's tour, while also making it impossible to work with Lofstad after the tour; then, after recovering in 2012, she was asked by Nightwish to act as lead vocalist of their tour, before becoming a full member the following year.[5][6] As the result, Jansen's schedule became very busy, and put Northward on hold once again as she was focusing her side activities on keeping ReVamp active.[4]

Recording years (2016–present)

In 2016, ReVamp disbanded, as all members agreed that it would be better for all of them to focus on their own respective projects rather than waiting for Jansen to have free time from Nightwish.[7] This finally gave Jansen free time to reunite Northward, as Nightwish was going to take a year off in 2017; her pregnancy made recording uncertain once again, but the two managed to finally complete the album before Jansen resumed touring with Nightwish in March 2018.[4]

The backup band for the album consists of bassist Morty Black of TNT, drummers Jango Nilsen and Stian Kristoffersen, and keyboardist Ronny Tegner, the latter two also being members of Pagan's Mind. The album is mixed and mastered by Volbeat producer Jacob Hansen. It features a duet between Jansen and her sister Irene on the song "Drifting Islands".[8]

Reception

Northward's self-titled debut album earned positive reviews. Devils Gate Media praised the variety in Jansen's singing and Lofstad's guitar work.[9] Blogger Man of Much Metal rated the album 8.5 out of 10, stating that "whilst this kind of rock music isn’t my usual fare, I cannot deny that this is a very striking record with plenty of positives that ensure that I enjoy the experience of listening to it."[10] The album was a listener pick for best album of the year on Chicago Public Radio's Sound Opinions.[11]

Members

Guest musicians


  • Morty Black – bass
  • Jango Nilsen – drums
  • Stian Kristoffersen – drums
  • Irene Jansen – co-lead vocals on "Drifting Islands"
  • Ronny Tegner – keyboards

Discography
  • Northward (2018)[2]

Music videos
  • "While Love Died" (2018)[12]
  • "Get What You Give" (2018)[13]
  • "Storm in a Glass" (2018)[14]

References
  1. "Northward – Floor Jansen And Jørn Viggo Lofstad's Project To Release Debut". www.metalstorm.net. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  2. "NORTHWARD Feat. NIGHTWISH Singer And PAGAN'S MIND Guitarist: 'While Love Died' Video Released". Blabbermouth.net. 2018-08-24. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  3. "FLOOR JANSEN Says NORTHWARD Won't Perform Live: 'Don't Think Of This As A Band'". Blabbermouth.net. October 20, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  4. "FLOOR JANSEN Laments Split Of Her Pre-NIGHTWISH Band AFTER FOREVER: 'I Was Not Too Pleased With Stopping'". Blabbermouth.net. November 11, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  5. "Biography". floorjansen.com. June 20, 2013. Archived from the original on May 15, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  6. "Press release // October 9th 2013". Nightwish.com. October 9, 2013. Archived from the original on October 7, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  7. "NIGHTWISH Singer Pulls Plug On REVAMP: 'I Don't Want To Give Fans False Hope'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. September 29, 2016.
  8. "NORTHWARD – Floor Jansen and Jørn Viggo Lofstad's heavy metal project signs to Nuclear Blast and announces first album!". 22 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  9. Dave (18 October 2018). "Review: Northward – 'Northward' – Devils Gate Media". Devils Gate Media. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  10. "Northward – Northward – Album Review". Man of Much Metal. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  11. DeRogatis, Jim; Kot, Greg (7 December 2018). "Show 680: The Best Albums of 2018". Sound Opinions. Chicago Public Radio. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  12. Nuclear Blast Records (2018-08-24), NORTHWARD – While Love Died (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO), retrieved 2018-08-24
  13. Nuclear Blast Records (2018-09-14), NORTHWARD – Get What You Give (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO), retrieved 2018-09-14
  14. Nuclear Blast Records (2018-10-19), NORTHWARD – Storm In A Glass (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO), retrieved 2019-01-21
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