Spirit Tomb has returned with a most unexpected cassette, Sort Tulipan. This triumph features two beloved Seigmen tracks — “Sort Tulipan” and “Performance Alpha.” The former hails from Seigmen’s 1994 classic, Total, while the latter serves as the opening on 1997’s Radiowaves. In between these two epic feats, may I add, Seigmen unveiled the Spellemann / “Norwegian Grammy”-winning Metropolis in 1995.

A five-piece outfit fit for royalty and showcasing an awarded opera singer on guitar, Seigmen has taken the stage with Crown Prince Håkon at his 40th birthday party. Seigmen’s other exploits include earning the Vestfold Fylkeskommunes Kunstnerpris and Kassettavgiftsfondets Lanseringsstipend.

In short, Seigmen stands as an unsurpassed powerhouse, and Spirit Tomb presents the ideal tribute. The magnificent, remarkably rewarding, and deeply meditative Sort Tulipan will be unveiled on the 30th anniversary of Total, October 21st, via the venerable Apollon Records and Otto Egil Sætre’s Gymnocal Industries, both friends of the Seigmen team and supporters of the very finest musical exploit.

Let it be known: The latter currently offers a stellar selection of content by Seigmen, Seigmen’s sister band Zeromancer, Seigmen member Sverre Økshoff’s Jared Ambience Inc, etc. In other words, Sort Tulipan’s release is in the best possible hands.

Founded in 2020, Spirit Tomb is the one-man exploratory vehicle of Leon Kristoffer, one of Norway’s greatest musicians in his own right and a top-notch engineer as well. Spirit Tomb’s sublime art boasts an elegant blend of vocals, piano, and cello. By way of minimalism, Spirit Tomb achieves gorgeous and luxurious soundscapes that conjure the ethos of bygone eras and evoke breathtaking imagery.

In 2023, Spirit Tomb unleashed their debut EP, The Lotus of Dahlia. That was, in turn, followed by the Poe-inspired album, Spiritus Lacrimarum: Dolorem In Lacrimas Efundere, which premiered at the esteemed Bergen-based festival Beyond the Gates. The listening party was hosted by Otto Egil and the leading music expert Finn Håkon Rødland at Apollon Platebar. Spiritus Lacrimarum received a 10/10 rating from Metal Injection, who rightly dubbed it a “masterpiece.”

The reviewer stated: “Spirit Tomb has become the measure of authenticity and integrity by which I judge non-metal acts.” On MetalSucks’ now savagely murdered black metal column, both titles were named among the best non-BM releases of 2023, as were Seigmen’s Rosa, Gul, and Beige EPs. The Lotus of Dahlia and Spiritus Lacrimarum constitute the first two installments in the “Aandegrav Trilogy,” which will conclude with the anticipated The Haunted Palace, a grand and impossibly ambitious effort that seems to promise the world and more.

A video was created for the trilogy’s first installment, and films will eventually be completed for the other two parts. Clearly, we’ve been actively monitoring Spirit Tomb’s plans, and, again, in no way, shape, or form did we foresee the miraculous surprise of Sort Tulipan.

Regarding the genius of the enigmatic yet revered sonic necromancer Leon Kristoffer, “there is nothing I can say, that hasn’t been said before.” Nevertheless, to further quote Sort Tulipan’s second number, “well I prefer trying.” Thus, I will confirm that Leon Kristoffer perfectly nails both Seigmen tracks on Sort Tulipan with renditions that are utterly heartfelt, personal, ethereal, and enchanting.

He captures the essence of the compositions without imitating. His reimaginings prove fresh and also totally within the distinctive style that he has meticulously crafted with Spirit Tomb. Leon Kristoffer imbues his crystalline yet noir recordings with abysmal grief and immense love, thereby providing cleansing journeys.

His work is vulnerable, intensely intimate, and simultaneously strong in its desire, brave in its resoluteness; a veteran artist, of course, Leon Kristoffer emanates confidence, even while bringing us into the depths of the darkest hours. Utter hopelessness and optimism mingle. How sweet it is to hear the melodious wines of Leon Kristoffer’s artistry flow to such lethal lines: “all tid er forbi, all tid er over.” / “all time has passed, all time is over.” Leon Kristoffer certainly does justice to Seigmen’s exceptional texts, the first of which is in Norwegian, the second in English, as even the unenlightened can assume from the titles.

His cadence is spot-on, and his words are all clearly enunciated. Leon Kristoffer delicately layers his vocals at moments with beautiful effect; yes, he flawlessly produced and engineered Sort Tulipan, as always. No aspect of the production or anything else is overdone. The trademark cinematic quality of Leon Kristoffer’s sound persists here in tandem with his theatrical flare.

Verily, Leon Kristoffer exhibits brilliant performance abilities. Although it initially came as a shock that this magician is not trained in the dramatic arts, we have just learned to accept that he is both a self-made talent and one whose gifts were divinely endowed. The relative of famous sculptor Anders Svor, in whose honor a museum now stands, Leon Kristoffer has inherited superior artistic sensibilities. His elevated aesthetic judgement is not only reflected in his musical choices, but also in how he repeatedly handles the minutiae of his physical releases.

Never have I seen or felt such stunning cassettes, vinyls, and CDs. Not only are the images and layouts beyond improvement, but the textures of the chosen materials and the touches like wax seals, avian talons, and incense greatly increase the overall charm and impression of coming in contact with holy relics. Indeed, Leon Kristoffer strives to provide experiences that will appeal to, and ultimately overpower, the combined senses. Leon Kristoffer truly takes the concept of Gesamtkunstwerk to a level that has been all but forgotten in our modern age.

With unfailing consistency, Leon Kristoffer transports us to new heights and new depths. Buy Sort Tulipan now, or receive torrents of verbal abuse from me so harsh that they will make you want to truly drown in the tape’s mentioned sea of sorrow. Hopefully, shortly after the cassette ships, Spirit Tomb will create a video revisiting Sort Tulipan live in an opera house setting as a prelude to a Seigmen concert or something of that nature.