Review by Steve Hegede
PROG REVIEWER
5 stars "Hardt Mot Hardt" was released in 1976, and, compared to "På Sterke Vinger", sounds like it was done by a completely different band. Actually it was done by a slightly different band. Both of the original guitarists left, leaving the bassist and vocalist behind to continue the project. The music on "Hardt Mot Hardt" was mostly written by the new guitarist who seemed to favor complex symphonic prog. His diverse electric guitar playing mixed both 70s hard-rock with local influences (Norwegian melodies and rhythms), and classical music. The vocalist sounds different on this release, but it's the same guy as on "På Sterke Vinger". His voice is stronger and confident here.
Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Neo Prog Team
3 stars Høst came from the small town of Knapstad in Norway, originally formed in 1971 by guitarist/songwriter Svein Rønning, bassist Johnny Myhre and drummer Stig Berg.Myhre left the group at its early days and three new members joined, Bernt Bodahl (bass), Ronny Gyllensten (guitars) and Geir Jahren (vocals).In 1973 the band started gaining fame through local live gigs, but again two line-up changes occured, Berg and Gyllensten left and were replaced by Knut R. Lie and Odd Inge Olsen respectively, tha last one replaced by Lasse Nilsen just before the group entered the studio for the first time.At the fall of 74' the group recorded its debut ''Pa sterke vinger'' at Arctic Studios in Trondheim, released on the On label.
5 stars Between the Leaves is the sole release by Norwegian one-album wonders Déjà-Vu
With a lineup including two ex-members of Høst (Knut Lie on drums and Svein Rønning on guitar)
and the late Kai Grønlie on lead vocals,
it's a legendary rarity due to originally only being released as a small test pressing.
Sadly, the commercial tide had gone against prog at that point,
and the album didn't get a more widespread release until 1995,
by which point Kai Grønlie had passed on. It's a shame,
because whilst most "lost classics" are at best merely very good albums
