Prog Norwegian prog metallers Rendezvous Point describe their third full-length album, , as an epic with Hans Zimmer-style arrangements that’s “harmonically, rhythmically and melodically interesting.” Formed in 2010, the band’s core trio of keyboardist Nicolay Tangen Svennæs, bassist Gunn-Hilde Erstad and guitarist Petter Hallaråker all studied at the Conservatory of Music in Kristiansand, Norway. Svennæs and Hallaråker had been friends since they were 15, and bonded with Erstad over a love of prog music.
Hallaråker was the one responsible for introducing Svennæs to prog music in via and , even covering the former’s in an earlier band. But Rendezvous Point deviate from those more classic prog metal styles, with Svennæs saying their sound is “more melodic prog rock with some fast guitars and odd time signatures.” Hallaråker agrees: “It was always meant to be big, but in a proggier sense, and heavy.
When you have five band members, everybody listens to different stuff, and there’s just so much inspiration to take from. I guess everybody came from the same core of prog music, while getting inspiration from stuff outside of that too.” Alongside Rendezvous Point, Svennæs performs with ; and drummer Baard Kolstad is also in Leprous.
Having such a wide range of music taste and experience seems to have benefited Rendezvous Point. The band’s output has evolved from their 2015 debut, , to a more light-hearted, fun approach, embracing shorter tracks an.