Airbag is regarded as one of the most significant acts to emerge from Norway’s progressive‑rock scene in recent decades. Across five critically praised studio albums, the band has developed a distinctive sound that merges atmospheric rock, melodic storytelling, and a wide palette of stylistic influences. Their sixth album, The Century of the Self, is scheduled for release on Karisma Records in the summer of 2024. The group originated in the mid‑2000s, formed by five former high‑school classmates, among them vocalist Asle Tostrup and guitarist Bjørn Riis. Airbag first gained attention with the 2004 EP Come on In, followed by several self‑produced EPs made available as free downloads on their website. These early releases were widely circulated, accumulating nearly a quarter of a million downloads within a short period. The growing interest led to a contract with the Norwegian label Karisma Records in August 2008. Airbag’s debut album, Identity (2009), reworked and refined material from their earlier EPs. The record received multiple year‑end accolades, and the single “Colours” reached the top three on Polish national radio. Their second album, All Rights Removed (2011), introduced a revised lineup featuring drummer Henrik Bergan Fossum and presented a more confident, expansive sound. The seventeen‑minute track “Homesick” became a fan favourite, highlighting the band’s ability to combine large‑scale arrangements with ambient textures.
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Sleepwalker
Homesick
Broken
Colours
Call me back
Disconnected
Returned
Never Coming Home
Steal My Soul