Band Information

In Norse mythology, Ginnungagab is the gigantic chasm from which the world was created.

In Denmark, Ginnungagab is also the name of a band formed in 1986 by:

Donny - alias Dan Sørensen
Daller - alias Mikael Dahlström
Odder - alias Per Odderskov
Right to left.

History

1986: As the group was originally established as a pure laboratory band, engaged in music which was not deeply rooted in any specific genre, the choice of instruments for the individual group members was not at all foregone. All members of the group had an interest in experimenting with different musical idioms.

Often, during the years, all instruments were changed. Common rock instruments were substituted by percussion instruments and homemade percussion. The collection of organ pipes, manhole covers, plastic tubes and scrap metal gradually grew in bulk. The music could be characterized as cacophonic improvisations where nothing was prearranged.

In 1987 the musical scope expanded into compositions for tape, scratch and effect devices. In 1988 the group became further electrified, and synthesizers became customary in most Ginnungagab compositions. The following year Ginnungagab was assigned to write music for two Danish stage plays and the background music to the Spanish detective film "Operacion Incorrecta".

From 1988 to 1990, "The Spazola Tapes" was finished: a compilation pieced together from slightly different material. The band considered publishing it, but judged that the material was too original and non-homogeneous to have any sale potential.

1991 passed in silence for Ginnungagab. The year was used for working out sheet music.

In 1992 the band continued producing electro-acoustic collages of sound. Samples were brought into play in 1994, and Ginnungagab decided to do a "silent & exclusive release" devoted to the concept that everything should be handmade, even covers and labels. The best productions from 1986 to 1993 found their way to this release, finally released in 1995 under the title "Sibuna". A limited edition, mostly meant as a cadeau to friends and connections over the years, was released on 52 CDs and 102 cassettes only.

In 1996 Ginnungagab started a new batch of tunes under the working title "Salgbart Nord for Svalbard". These sessions ended up with a total duration of more than two hours. Later the material was divided into three groups depending on the moods of the tunes, and one of these groups was launched as "Salgbart Nord for Svalbard".

In 2010 Ginnungagab released the LP "City of Sand" containing mostly old material. The same year the limited edition CD "Tiden og Tyrannerne" was released.