Sadomaoistan
Terror Incognita / Retroskopi

Zen Feedbacker and Snick Snack Music are proud to present, for the first time the complete output of SADOMAOISTAN.

Born in the Norwegian city of Tromsø, one of the northernmost outposts of Western civilization, the band’s music covers three distinct movements in the ever-changing underground music scene of the mid-eighties and early nineties. From their early experiments in no wave and post punk, to their industrial phase and finally their prominence in the early Norwegian rave scene, it’s all covered here.

Released on Snick Snack Music as separate digital albums and as a double LP in gatefold sleeve by Zen Feedbacker, the two records are TERROR INCOGNITA, which covers the bands post punk period in the eighties, and RETROSKOPI, a carefully reconstructed version of their only official album, originally released in 1997. The digital downloads of both albums feature several bonus tracks. All tracks are compiled, edited, mixed and produced by Sadomaoistan’s Halvard Haldorsen and mastered by Lasse Marhaug, who is also responsible for all design and layout.

The albums are accompanied by an extensive list of remixes by a wide range of key players in the Norwegian scene, to be released as a series of digital EPs.

Listening to Sadomaoistan’s music is like dusting off a time capsule from a time long forgotten. It’s the sound of eroticism, protest, politics and cold war. It’s the sound of three Northerners heading off into uncharted territory and expressing the emotions of their time. Inspired by underground icons like Coil, Swans, Einstürzende Neubauten and Sonic Youth, Halvard Haldorsen, Ivar R. Friis and Jørn Bårdgard started out in small but risk willing scene in Tromsø in 1984. Among peers like Bel Canto, Trafo, Wow!, Adena Cycle, Peder X-em, Sketch and Dig the Trig. A scene that would later evolve into the early Tromsø techno scene, the cradle of the Norwegian club movement, and a sonic environment that would later spawn the talents of Röyksopp, Bjørn Torske, Per Martinsen / Mental Overdrive, Geir Jenssen / Biosphere and many others.

As the eighties came to an end, Sadomaoistan relocated to Oslo. Inspired by the burgeoning rave scene they quickly evolved in a more electronic direction, adding Bjørn Haugsbø on synth in the process. Tragedy struck the band when founding member Ivar R. Friis died of AIDS in 1992, an event that would further strengthen the band’s commitment to the gay rights movement, but eventually result in the group drifting apart, leaving Halvard Haldorsen as the sole remaining member.

A new spark was lit when Halvard struck up a friendship with activist Reidar Engesbak and the gay performance group Genitalia. With it started a period of ritualistic live shows unlike anything scene before in their native country. Using S&M, fetish, flames and blood as visual components, soundtracked by hard, industrial techno. The captivating shows caught the attention of the burgeoning rave scene, securing the band slots at some of the largest raves of the time, as well as their tracks being included on some of the first compilations of Norwegian club music.

The band’s output was very limited, and besides the cassette 1. Mai 1985 > 1. Mai 1988 released on Requiem Productions in 1988 and appearances on a few compilations, Retroskopi remains their only full-length release. Now it’s finally time to reveal all the music from the vaults and tell the tale of these pioneers, who operated in a very exciting time in Norwegian music that remains largely undocumented. A time of constant change and renewal. From pre-modernity to modernity itself, Sadomaoistan’s journey is a microcosm of the eighties turning into the nineties, seen and expressed through the minds of these young Norwegians.