Afenginn means intoxication and strength in Old Norse!
Their homebrewed and unique style is categorized as Bastard-Punk-Ethno, with a sigh of Nordic melancholy and a twist of cheerful madness.
Afenginn's musical universe spans as widely as the antlers of a full-grown elk. The mongrel band was formed in 2002 by a flock of young musicians with a love of Slavic Eastern Europe, odd Balkan meters, the speed of klezmer, insane polkas, rock'n'roll feel and classical composition. It is "Bastard Etno" music that travels from the smallest pianissimo to wild and roaring parts.
Afenginn has built up a reputation of virtuosity and excellent live shows the past years. Performing with different artists such as Frank London from the Klezmatics and a complete symphony orchestra, Afenginn is ambitious to seek new serious adventures.
Finnish mandolinist Kim Nyberg composes all of their music. The group is
inquisitive, playful and imaginative and takes an anarchic approach to traditional musical structures. Their compositions range from lyrical, picturesque and programme music-like pieces – of which the "Elk Suite" is a fine example – to jagged up-tempo numbers in odd time signatures, always with the special rhythmic and melodic finesse which characterises
Afenginn. Their own term for the band's musical style is "Bastard Ethno".
Afenginn's extremely informal and devil-may-care attitude to the music, with joi de vivre and high-octane energy taking pride of place, went down well with audiences. The release of 'Retrograd' won them the CD of the Year prize at the 2005 Danish World Awards, and the band was also nominated for 'Akrobakkus' in the following year. With 'Reptilica Polaris', a concept album featuring male choir, brass ensemble and lyrics, Afenginn was rewarded 'Contemporary Artist of the Year 2009' at the Danish Folk Awards.
Their fourth album - "Bastard Etno" - was released worldwide in January 2010.
Afenginn has received rave reviews in both the Danish and foreign press, and in 2006 they were chosen to be one of eight ensembles to represent Danish music abroad in the project 'Danish Roots'. In 2007 Afenginn participated in the DaNy Arts working with NY trumpet player Frank London (The Klezmatics).
Afenginn was chosen to be a part of The Young Elite' project 2009-2011 initiated by the Danish Arts Council.
Afenginn has performed at festivals, clubs, Radio and Television shows in
Scandinavia, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Estonia, USA (SXSW) and Asia playing more than 300 concerts in the past years.Critics said:
"They're shockingly good, with imaginations and technique that won't quit. If there's justice, they'll be huge."
Chris Nickson, fROOTS (England)
6 stars out of 6: ".an intoxicating experience with music of a very high intensity. It's pure musical energy, completely at the tip of the toes. And mind you, it is virtuosly exercised energy."
Helge Knudsen, Dagbladet Arbejderen (Denmark)
5 stars out of 6: "Probably the best balkan-rockers in Scandinavia" Alex Regnér, Musiklandet (Sweden)
5 stars out of 6: "Its a must to experience these 5 madmen live!" Gaffa (Denmark)
6 stars out of 6: ".people must have forgotten time and place, when the fabulous musicians of Afenginn played. Excellent!" Henrik R. Hansen, Soundvenue (Denmark)
"Afenginn is all about the joy of celebrating life. With this kind of infectiousness the sky's the limit." Jazzreview (USA)
"One of Denmarks absolutely most interesting folkmusic orchestras. Virtous, highly energetic and screamingly entertaining." Musikeren (Denmark)
