Orango, Norway’s melodic classic rock powerhouse, has returned with a new studio album. On Mohican, the trio of Helge Bredeli Kanck, Trond Slåke and Hallvard Gaardløs – along with some special guests – dish up ten tracks that prove they’re far from running out of steam, no matter what the world throws at them.If one didn’t know they were hiding out in the mountains of Norway, one might think Orango to be at home in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee or the shores of Southern California; between the band’s southern-tinged, soulful riffs and sun-soaked three-part vocal harmonies, the band always provides a masterclass in classic rock. As far as Orango records go, Mohican feels especially heartfelt, a thread of yearning running through the album’s ten cuts. Perhaps this is due to the period of transition and strangeness the band were in during songwriting, as guitarist/singer Helge Kanck explains:

“Mohican wasn’t always the plan. I had written enough songs for three more albums, but during the pandemic, the band saw little to none of one another, played no gigs, and the tour to support our Battles reissue was cancelled, as its release date coincided with Norway closing down. It felt like very dark and boring times. Trond was even considering taking a break from the band, until he luckily changed his mind.

After some good times reunited in Haalvard’s rehearsal room, running through some songs and working on arrangements together, the band felt ready to pick up the reins again.

Mohican is an album full of good spirit, and the recording sessions were great times all the way with all band members giving it all and working hard to make it our best album yet. True band harmony!”

Adding a further personal note, two songs were originally entirely recorded by Kanck (with drummer Kai Christoffersen) with the intention of landing on a solo album. With the decision made to get back in the saddle with the full band, Slåke and Gaardløs joined in to add more vocal work and work them into the Orango sound.