music
They came together for the first time at the invitation of a bar in Stockholm. The apotheotic volume of the concert forced those working there to hold the shelves so the glasses wouldn’t fall and shatter on the floor. From this triumphant first performance FIRE! was born. Formed by Mats Gustafsson, Johan Berthling and Andreas Werliin, the trio develops a new approach to improvised music, with influences from free jazz, psychedelic rock and noise. In 2009, they released their first album You liked me five minutes ago on Rune Grammofon, a label that has accompanied them ever since. This was followed by Unreleased? (2011), In The Mouth, A Hand (2012), Without Noticing (2013), She Sleep, She Sleeps (2016), The Hands (2018), Defeat (2021) and finally Testament (2024), the work that serves as the motto for this concert.
It is under the experience of Steve Albini, in charge of production at Electrical Audio in Chicago, that this latest album emerges. With no flutes, no electronics, no guests and no extras, recorded live in the studio on analog tape, the album is a true testament to the group’s brilliant expressive power. Whether you choose to call it jazz or rock, FIRE!’s distinctive sound has led to tours of Europe, the USA, Canada, Brazil and Japan, as well as collaborations with renowned artists such as Jim O’ Rourke, Oren Ambarchi, Stephen O’Malley of Sunn O))) and David Sandström.
In its simplicity, Testament (2024) is a work of art. In an intimate conversation between the three instruments that almost tears your heart out, FIRE! present their latest album at gnration.
mats gustafsson sax
johan berthling double bass
andreas werliin drums
support portuguese republic – culture / directorate-general for the arts. rtcp – network of portuguese theatres and cinemas
