Confirmation Bias
It might seem that taking 11 years to release a debut album is maybe a little too prog. But Norwegian quintet Confirmation Bias see it as worthwhile – it ensured they made the most of outgrowing their roots as a Rush tribute band.
They self-released 'Century Mornings' in 2024. It’s a pleasingly complex work of impressive maturity, demonstrating that while patience can be bitter, its fruits can be musically sweet.
Guitarist Ørjan Risa Svensen, bassist Jon Martin Haarr and drummer Kai Gabrielsen had been together for years before finding acoustic guitarist Eirik Hanssen, keyboardist Fredrik Skår and vocalist Lars Martin Aasgård. And since Hanssen has played with Magic Pie for years, comparisons with their fellow Norwegians, plus Marillion, IQ and of course Rush, are welcome.
Asked what they earned from covering the Canadian giants, Svensen says: “Respect! But it’s not about copying every detail; it’s about capturing the energy and musicianship.”
“We developed a new musical vocabulary,” Haarr adds. “Every member of Rush is someone you can aspire to. For me, it was about Geddy Lee and trying to playing bass and synths at the same time. It was incredibly fun and educational – and luckily I didn’t have to handle the vocals too!”
Learning from Rush inevitably led to a desire to write original material, and that took form as the current line-up came together. “The framework for 'Living With The Lie' came out of our early sessions in 2016,” Svensen says. “We wanted to make music with melody, atmosphere and emotion, where a story derived from the lyrics but also from the instrumental parts. We didn’t want to rush – pun intended! Finding the right line-up was crucial.”
Aasgård says Confirmation Bias are flattered the comparisons they hear. “Magic Pie are close to home; they’re good friends. Marillion and IQ are giants – we don’t set out to emulate anyone but we definitely share some DNA.”
“Beyond the neo prog, we bring in more old-school prog and metal too,” Skår notes.
The members broadly agree that the Century Mornings title track is a good place to start with their music. “Epiphany, our debut single, is a real statement of intent,” Aasgård says. “It’s about freeing the mind. We used AI to visualise the lyrics in the video – a nod to our interest in blending technology with art. Then 'In Memory Of…' is a deeply emotional song that shows our ability to be both powerful and vulnerable.”
Confirmation Bias performed at three prog festivals during 2025, including Summer’s End in Chepstow, Wales. They’re booking more appearances for 2026 while developing new music. “We’re in this for the long haul,” Aasgård states. “Prog is alive and well, but, of course, it’s evolved. The scene is more diverse than ever; there’s a hunger for music that challenges and inspires.”
Hanssen adds: “The greatest challenge is reconciling the complex, time-intensive nature of prog with today’s fragmented music market.” But they’re working on that too.
“Many bands operate themselves even if a record label could help, because commerciality is not the main motivation. Bands often do everything themselves – music, production, PR, booking and merch – Eirik and Lars Martin do that for us.”
- Martin Kielty
PROG FILE
LINE-UP: Lars Martin Aasgård (lead vocals), Ørjan Risa Svensen (electric guitar), Eirik Hanssen (acoustic guitar), Fredrik Skår (keys), Jon Martin Haarr (bass), Kai Gabrielsen (drums)
SOUNDS LIKE: Marillion, IQ, Magic Pie, a touch of Rush
CURRENT RELEASE: Century Mornings, self-released 2024
WEBSITE: www.confirmationbias.no