Pristine

Blues fans, particularly of the male variety,
are likely to be smitten from the moment
Norwegian Heidi Solheim opens her voice
on this album’s opening track, “Damned If I
Do.” Like jazz balladeer Jimmy Scott, who
made the women all swoon in his heyday,
Solheim’s voice is powerful yet feminine,
and as such, likely to attract attention from
all “the mens” in Pristine’s audiences. And
it gets better after the opening track, as her
expert backing band serves up a cleverly
arranged take on Gregg Allman’s “Whipping
Post,” the only cover on this album of
spry, innovative, ground-breaking, original
blues-rock.
Seeing them live at IBC in Memphis in
February, it was clear to me just how much
rehearsing they have done during those
long Norwegian winters the last few years.
Solheim is expertly backed in this supertight
quintet by Espen Elverum Jakobsen,
guitars; Anders Oskal, Hammond B-3 and
clavinet; Asmund Wilter Eriksson Ericsson,
bass; and Kim Karlsen, drums and percussion.
What Pristine does so well, at their live
shows and to a great extent on this record,
is combine great audio dynamics with
superb ensemble playing with Solheim’s
natural gift for showmanship. Their long
compositions are theatrical at points, building
tension and borrowing from the great
progressive rock acts like Nektar, Yes, and
Rick Wakeman, putting it all into a unified
blues-rock context.
If you’re a fan of original blues-rock,
you’ll find this a superb album from start to
finish. By next year, I say, let’s get these
people over to the States for the spring and
summer blues festival season. - Blues Revue

Pristine is a group hailing from the arctic region of Norway, so I am finding it difficult to believe that a band coming from such a cold area creates such a smoking hot presence. Doubtless, it must be the band itself, but it helps to record at the famous Juke Joint Studio in Notodden, Norway. Pristine, with the charismatic redhead Heidi Solheim in front, forges on with power, passion and intensity. This cd blends and transcends rock, blues, soul, prog-rock, and funk. The first cut on this cd ("Damned If I Do") takes a page from the Joe Bonamassa style of blues, and it just soars - higher and higher! And throughout this first cut we are treated to Heidi Solheim's haunting vocals. On the second cut ("You Don't Know"), we are treated to a funky high-performance guitar solo, accompanied by driving percussion, 'just under the radar' B3 background, and gritty, heartfelt vocals. The third cut ("Breaking Bad") comes straight from the Stevie Ray Vaughn genre of Texas Blues - complete with driving back-beat. This is one of my favorite styles of blues, and Heidi and company deliver in spades. The next cut ("Whipping Post") is a cover of a song written by the prolific Greg Allman - what an awesome cover! The bass, the B3, and the guitar just reverb, and Heidi gives it that he-done-me-wrong-so-I must've-done-somethin'-wrong-song a gritty, bleary feeling. Even though there are only nine (9) tracks on this cd, each song averages a lengthy five (5) minutes, with the title cut ("Detoxing") cruising along at a psychedelic eleven minutes, sixteen seconds (11:16). This cut just begs a Door's comparison, simply because of the parallels of beat/rhythm, singsong build-up, and the existential content. (I am referring here to that excruciatingly drawn-out "The End" performance by The Doors). From wonderful guitar solos and smooth vocals of singer/songwriter Heidi Solheim, through the classic keyboard accompaniment to rock solid bass and percussive rhythms, this is simply an outstanding presentation. As the title of the disc suggests, Detoxing is what I'll have to do after listening to this for a few hours. (And perhaps a little decompression wouldn't hurt, either). And that's my two nickels' worth........................Nick - WYCE Music Journal: Blues

The Norwegian band Pristine received a lot of attention and positive press at this year’s International Blues Challenge with their skillful mix of blues, soul, funk, jazz, and psychedelic rock. The release of their latest CD, Detoxing (BluesNews Records) coincided with the competition and I can tell you from listening that all of the above elements are included in their sound. I can also tell you that it works…..baby, does it work!
Led by charismatic lead singer Heidi Solheim, Pristine’s band (Espen Elverum Jakobsen – guitar, Anders Oskal – Hammond and Clavinet, Asmund Wilter Eriksson – bass, Kim Karlsen – drums) is an impressive unit, making these styles blend effortlessly. Solheim wrote eight of the nine tunes on Detoxing. The opening cut, “Damned If I Do,” is an unusual, but attention-getting opener. Reminiscent of the ’60s psychedelic blues/rock, it starts with Solheim’s breathy vocal over Oskal’s eerie Hammond, and then segues into Jakobsen’s fierce guitar with Solheim matching his intensity as the song closes. Powerful song.
“Breaking Bad” is another highlight, a good old Texas-style shuffle with some inspired guitar work. The band also delves into deep soul on “Damage is Done,” driven by Oskal’s churchy B3, which also features a nice vocal turn from Solheim. “The Last Day” is another soulful ballad that features Solheim and pairs Jakobsen with Norwegian singer/songwriter/guitarist Knut Reiersrud on guitar, and the title track brings the psychedelic elements back to the front, and transforms you back to late ’60s San Francisco.
Covering an Allman Brothers tune, especially one like “Whipping Post,” usually requires a large amount of courage for most bands, but Pristine takes a different bent, stripping the song back to the basics and wisely not trying to match the originals fire and intensity, instead taking an understated, but successful approach.
Detoxing is an excellent set that becomes even better the more you listen to it, a good quality for a blues album to have. The blend of musical elements with the traditional blues works really well. It will be interesting to hear where Pristine goes from here.
--- Graham Clarke
- Blues Bytes

The Norwegian band Pristine received a lot of attention and positive press at this year’s International Blues Challenge with their skillful mix of blues, soul, funk, jazz, and psychedelic rock. The release of their latest CD, Detoxing (BluesNews Records) coincided with the competition and I can tell you from listening that all of the above elements are included in their sound. I can also tell you that it works…..baby, does it work!
Led by charismatic lead singer Heidi Solheim, Pristine’s band (Espen Elverum Jakobsen – guitar, Anders Oskal – Hammond and Clavinet, Asmund Wilter Eriksson – bass, Kim Karlsen – drums) is an impressive unit, making these styles blend effortlessly. Solheim wrote eight of the nine tunes on Detoxing. The opening cut, “Damned If I Do,” is an unusual, but attention-getting opener. Reminiscent of the ’60s psychedelic blues/rock, it starts with Solheim’s breathy vocal over Oskal’s eerie Hammond, and then segues into Jakobsen’s fierce guitar with Solheim matching his intensity as the song closes. Powerful song.
“Breaking Bad” is another highlight, a good old Texas-style shuffle with some inspired guitar work. The band also delves into deep soul on “Damage is Done,” driven by Oskal’s churchy B3, which also features a nice vocal turn from Solheim. “The Last Day” is another soulful ballad that features Solheim and pairs Jakobsen with Norwegian singer/songwriter/guitarist Knut Reiersrud on guitar, and the title track brings the psychedelic elements back to the front, and transforms you back to late ’60s San Francisco.
Covering an Allman Brothers tune, especially one like “Whipping Post,” usually requires a large amount of courage for most bands, but Pristine takes a different bent, stripping the song back to the basics and wisely not trying to match the originals fire and intensity, instead taking an understated, but successful approach.
Detoxing is an excellent set that becomes even better the more you listen to it, a good quality for a blues album to have. The blend of musical elements with the traditional blues works really well. It will be interesting to hear where Pristine goes from here.
--- Graham Clarke
- Blues Bytes

I had the opportunity to catch this Norwegian band perform three of their four
sets during the International Blues Challenge in Memphis recently. Each time
they played the crowd steadily became larger as word on Beale Street spread
of their performances. Fronted by the energetic, red-headed vocalist Heidi
Solheim swaying, jumping and swishing her long hair along with the music, it is
really quite a show. But it’s not all about her presence, which does have a strong
appeal, the band is really quite talented. Especially guitarist Espen Elverum
Jakobsen who can make those strings sizzle and tell a story all on their own.
Then throw in keyboardist Anders Oskal creating a haunting, deep feel and you
have a sensationally hot outfit that should be heard far beyond their Scandinavian reaches.
All the songs on this release, Detoxing, were written by Solheim, with the only exception a stunning, slow-paced take on Gregg Allman’s “Whipping Post.” There is a lot of drive behind them all, noted right off the get-go on the opening jazzy track “Damned If I Do,” where Solheim’s voice soars strongly and Jakobsen’s guitar carries a ferocious overlay that is pounding and surreal. Solheim can carry her delivery quite breathy at times as seen on “You Don’t Know” and the horn-fueled (provided by the trumpet of Petter Marius Gundersen) “The Blind”, that also features the guitar attack of Knut Reiersrud,” one of Norway’s foremost known bluesmen. “Breaking Bad” has a Texas blues feel behind it, while Oskal’s organ work can bring a definite psychedelic approach to many of the tunes. Speaking of psychedelic, the eleven-plus minute title track is a wild ride in that style that may bring about visions of San Francisco-based bands from the late 60s. It is their lengthier numbers that really bring the band to focus, especially the aforementioned “Damned If I Do” and the slow blues “The Last Day” where Jakobsen is at his best at laying out tasty string-work alongside Reiersrud while Solheim delivers a nice soulful vocal range.
Pristine may be at their best seen in a live setting, but Detoxing is an album that carries over a lot of their stage presence. Pure rockin’ blues with maybe a somewhat fusion style and a definite European flavor. Pristine is quite unique and very enjoyable. - Cascade Blues Association

Pristine is a Norwegian, Psychedelic, Blues Rock band. Heidi Solheim is the captivating front woman, with her memorable long red hair and striking eyes. This band offers a significant sound, incorporating Soul, Funk, Blues and Rock. Their debut album, Detoxing, is full of passionate, Fusion songs.
The first, named “Damned If I Do” has heavy Jazz and Blues elements, including a catchy chorus. The atmospheric start includes a scratching dark organ sound, a basic hi hat beat and gradual building vocals, which results in a heavy climax, a climbing guitar solo, and an emotional vocal conclusion. However this comes to an abrupt stop halfway through; (musical stops like this can be extremely effective, as they are unexpected). While “Damned If I Do” and “You Don’t Know” are brilliant songs, the sudden stops are in danger of ruining the flow of the rhythm.
One of the stand out tracks is “Breaking Bad” as this song identifies the beauty of simplicity, and the wonder of Blues Rock at its best. The band sounds tight and powerful, providing catchy Blues riffs with strong female vocals. “Damage Is Done” is mainly a funk track that again highlights the talents of Heidi’s voice, as she elegantly switches from passionate Classic Blues Rock to emotional, soulful vocals. “The Last Day” is a soulful ballad, showing the versatility of Heidi’s enchanting voice; this slow paced reflective song really outlines the ease of her vocal delivery and her poetic, yet catchy lyrics. The albums self-titled song, “Detoxing,” shows the psychedelic features of this band, incorporating their influences of both Hendrix and Zeppelin.
This album is one to reach for on those lazy days, where you require passionate vocals, with uplifting Blues guitar riffs, interesting musical arrangements and varying Fusion genre songs to ease you into the day.
The Review: 8/10
Can’t Miss Tracks
- Damned If I Do
- Breaking Bad
- Damage Is Done
- The Last Day
- Detoxing
The Big Hit
- Breaking Bad
Review by Steph Heath
- Blues Rock Review

With the advent of the Internet and social media, the blues has certainly become a worldwide genre.' Such is the case with the band Pristine, who hails from Tromso in the northern arctic region of Norway. These young folks are a part of the burgeoning blues scene in that part of the globe, and they represented the Norsk Blues Union in this year's IBC's in Memphis.

One thing you will not get from this band is three chords and a cloud of dust, but you will get that "solid wall of sound" that Sir Elton sang of back in the day. On their latest album, "Detoxing," Pristine gives the blues a swift kick into the 21st Century, doctoring them with heavy doses of blues-rock and psychedelia.

Led by singer-songwriter Heidi Solheim, one can hear the influences of her musical heroines, Aretha, Betty Davis, and Sharon Jones. She's joined by Epsen Jalobsen on guitar, Asmund Eriksson on bass, Kim Karlson on drums, and Anders Oskal on keys. Also on guitar on two cuts is one of Norway's finest, Knut Reiersrud.

Several of the cuts allow Heidi to begin with her dazzling vocals, then give way to the band to get into "jam" mode, before returning to her for a brilliant climax. The leadoff "Damned If I Do,' "The Blind," and the title cut all falllinto this territory. "Breaking Bad" is a sweet shuffle, while "You Don't Know" has a funky backbeat over Heidi's vocal in the tale of a man who's bein' played and can't see it coming. "The Countdown" is the story of a love affair that is ending and Heidi vows that "it might get ugly," while she sings "The Damage Is Done" accompanied only by the funkified organ riffs of Anders Oskal.

Our favorite was another stripped-down affair. "Whipping Post" is an Allman Brothers staple, full of blistering guitar and Gregg's B-3. Here, tho, Heidi gives a fine performance, playing the scorned lover to the hilt, backed only by the demonically-distorted guitar of Epsen.

Somewhere, the ghosts of Janis, Jimi, Kurt, and SRV are smiling at the efforts of Pristine. This band yakes the psychedelic aspects of the blues as interpreted by these past masters and gives them a contemporary spin for today's discerning audiences. They had a great run to the IBC semis, and, with the release of "Detoxing," Pristine is ready to head to the next level! Until next time....Sheryl and Don Crow. - Nashville Blues Societys Blog

With the advent of the Internet and social media, the blues has certainly become a worldwide genre.' Such is the case with the band Pristine, who hails from Tromso in the northern arctic region of Norway. These young folks are a part of the burgeoning blues scene in that part of the globe, and they represented the Norsk Blues Union in this year's IBC's in Memphis.

One thing you will not get from this band is three chords and a cloud of dust, but you will get that "solid wall of sound" that Sir Elton sang of back in the day. On their latest album, "Detoxing," Pristine gives the blues a swift kick into the 21st Century, doctoring them with heavy doses of blues-rock and psychedelia.

Led by singer-songwriter Heidi Solheim, one can hear the influences of her musical heroines, Aretha, Betty Davis, and Sharon Jones. She's joined by Epsen Jalobsen on guitar, Asmund Eriksson on bass, Kim Karlson on drums, and Anders Oskal on keys. Also on guitar on two cuts is one of Norway's finest, Knut Reiersrud.

Several of the cuts allow Heidi to begin with her dazzling vocals, then give way to the band to get into "jam" mode, before returning to her for a brilliant climax. The leadoff "Damned If I Do,' "The Blind," and the title cut all falllinto this territory. "Breaking Bad" is a sweet shuffle, while "You Don't Know" has a funky backbeat over Heidi's vocal in the tale of a man who's bein' played and can't see it coming. "The Countdown" is the story of a love affair that is ending and Heidi vows that "it might get ugly," while she sings "The Damage Is Done" accompanied only by the funkified organ riffs of Anders Oskal.

Our favorite was another stripped-down affair. "Whipping Post" is an Allman Brothers staple, full of blistering guitar and Gregg's B-3. Here, tho, Heidi gives a fine performance, playing the scorned lover to the hilt, backed only by the demonically-distorted guitar of Epsen.

Somewhere, the ghosts of Janis, Jimi, Kurt, and SRV are smiling at the efforts of Pristine. This band yakes the psychedelic aspects of the blues as interpreted by these past masters and gives them a contemporary spin for today's discerning audiences. They had a great run to the IBC semis, and, with the release of "Detoxing," Pristine is ready to head to the next level! Until next time....Sheryl and Don Crow. - Nashville Blues Societys Blog

Back to the 1970s, when intense bluesrock bands and progrock band constantly came and went.
The band Pristine could have fit well into that era, but is rather a breath of fresh air in the often lethargic sound of the 21century.
Vocalist Heidi Solheim give them a good advantage. She has the power, rhythm and energy, and the band follows suit.

This sounds encouraging and affirming. The dynamics are impeccable, and the instrumentation is perfect.
Organist Anders Oskal, guitarist Espen Jakobsen Elverum, bassist Åsmund Wilter Kildal Eriksson and drummer Kim Karlsen is a nice, coherent unit.

Suddenly Bjørn Berge shows up on dobro and acoustic guitar on "One Good Reason".
The songs are intense, but a bit uneven. A good variety, and it sounds good when they slow things down a bit as well.

A good band, which certainly is a nice experience on stage. - Romerikes Blad

Norwegian blues often have a seasoned club feel, but the blues rockers Pristine from Tromsø offers much more. Conceived in 2006, they debuted strongly with the album "Detoxing" in 2011, and follows up in spades. In the foreground they have lead singer and songwriter Heidi Solheim, who gets straight to the point with full energy. The music ranges from genuine blues to powerful psychedelic music with a 70s style, where guitarist Espen Jakobsen Elverum let loose in full, as in the title song "No Regret", which lasts eight minutes. Non other than Bjorn Berge himself goes acoustic on "One Good Reason". Heavy and dense, quiet and airy, inspired and imaginative, full of contrasts and genuine. Adjectives are stacking up. - Østlendingen

The ocean constantly washes over Bøvær, but Saturday night it was blues-rock that got the audience to roll. Saturday night Pristine took Kråkeslottets newest stage, "The Dock".

There is no room for doubt; Pristine delivers quality. One can like or not the genre, but if you think that blues is an easy way to the top, you have other references than what happened on stage Saturday night. For in a cramped and crowded room with remarkably good sound from the very beginning, it was impossible not to get carried away by the combination unpretentious blues and tasteful finesse.

"Damned if I do," "You Don't Know," "Breaking Bad" - it does not sound cheerful, and it's not supposed to be. Yet there was a joy in the bands playing that infected the audience who knew how to appreciate guitar solos with beautiful phrases, hammond organ with an arsenal of sounds and Solheim indisputable voice.

Of course it's Heidi Solheim who owns the stage. But in the back she has a becoming jagged band that spices up the tunes with fine details and serves pulsating music with an occasional gale. It's hard to believe it was almost entirely self-composed material that was being played, and we can only hope it wasn't all self experienced.

- Roy-Frode Løvland - - Troms Folkeblad, 2012.06.04

Finally, finally Pristine was booked to Alta Soul & Bluesfestival.

They can almost be regarded as a local band. More important than that: As a genuine blues band Pristine is must for any blues festival. And last but not least, we're talking about a band so good that they are on the verge of an international breakthrough!

Pristine had the slightly questionable honor of being the first band on the main stage Friday afternoon. For while it is quite common other places to have excellent artists take care of this task, the festival audience in Alta may not be quite aware of this yet. Only about 50 audience members were present at perhaps the strongest booking of the festival. In return, and for the benefit of Pristine: it was a dedicated and quality-conscious crowd who had found their way to Breverud in the afternoon sun.

Because the lead singer of Pristine is wading in attention, I will first point out another member of the group: Anders Oskal, the organ-player. The man from Kautokeino gave the audience some fierce and delicious injections of Hammond XB-2. Pristine holds very high quality in all positions - including the temporary lead guitarist, Kristian Olstad (the regular, phenomenal guitarist is on paternity leave).

But on to the lead singer and songwriter Heidi Solheim . If you've experienced the 30-year-old from Tromsø on stage, you'll never forget her. Her voice splendor and singing technique is in a class of its own, but it's more than that. So much more. Solheim is a wellspring of enthusiasm and charisma, with a sure feeling for style on one hand and sympathetic informal on the other. Pristine show that they master traditional blues and English 70’s blues as well as the crossover towards groovy southern rock. In the nearly hour-long set, there is simply nothing to put my finger on. And when the set is dominated by very sensitive, at times heavy, slow blues, this reviewer is completely sold.

-Berhard Hienerwadel-
(6/6, Altaposten 2012.06.04) - 2012.06.04 - Altaposten

BYLARM/KONSERT: Fra tid til annen dukker det opp artister eller band som står i fare for å få stempelet «bluesens framtid» midt i panna. Det kan være en viss fare for at dette vil henge ved tromsøbandet Pristine en stund framover.

Bandet var i en egen klasse da det stakk av med seieren i Union Blues Cup på Notodden i august.

Premien er en drøss spillejobber på norske bluesklubber, men de fleste må nok vente til høsten. Bandet har for mye å gjøre. Hvorfor, kunne du få en pekepinn på under Bylarm, først på Herr Nilsen fredag og så på Gamla lørdag kveld.
Album til høsten
Pristine har ikke noe album å vise til, det kommer tidligst til høsten. Men bandet ble likevel en snakkis under bluesfestivalen på Notodden, som hvert år arrangerer en cup for unge og lovende artister. Pristine skilte seg ut, og ikke bare på grunn av musikken. For det første har bandet en tøff frontfigur i Solheim, ei vever, rødhåra dame som absolutt ikke spør om lov til å heve stemmen.

Solheim har klare likhetstrekk med sterke amerikanske damer som Beth Hart, Dana Fuchs og Janiva Magness, som alle har fått et publikum i Norge via Notodden Blues Festival.

De har alle et sterkt, personlig uttrykk - sjøl om Solheim ikke har like mye levd liv å formidle.
Norske bluesdamer
Blues-Norge har fått flere kvinnelige frontfigurer de siste par-tre åra, som Stina Stenerud, Katrine Klemp i det tidligere unionsbandet Shuffle Service og Ellen Marie Løkslid, alias Elly Marvellous. Men du må tilbake til avdøde Kristin Berglund for å finne ei tøffere bluesdame her til lands enn Solheim akkurat nå.

For det andre har de gitarist Espen Jakobsen, som bidrar med kreativt spill og får mye - og velfortjent - spillerom i bandet. Kompet er det heller ikke noe å si på, særlig scorer Åsmund Wilter Eriksson stort med sin innbitte, pulserende bassgroove. Kim Karlsen spiller trommer og Anders Oskal orgel.
Allsidige
Med unntak av reineier Oskal fra Kautokeino, er alle heltidsmusikere med base i nord. Fartstida i flere forskjellige band trekker de veksler på når de i Pristine stilmessig svinger mellom tradisjonell blues, shuffle, soul, sørstatsrock og bluesrock - hele tida med høyt energinivå. Bandet har riktignok også en aldri så liten hang til å dra låtene litt langt, men det blir pirk i denne sammenhengen.

Pristine er et forfriskende innslag i Blues-Norge. Ut til bluesfolket med dem! - Dagbladet Nett, 20.februar 2011– Øyvind Rønning

BYLARM/KONSERT: Fra tid til annen dukker det opp artister eller band som står i fare for å få stempelet «bluesens framtid» midt i panna. Det kan være en viss fare for at dette vil henge ved tromsøbandet Pristine en stund framover.

Bandet var i en egen klasse da det stakk av med seieren i Union Blues Cup på Notodden i august.

Premien er en drøss spillejobber på norske bluesklubber, men de fleste må nok vente til høsten. Bandet har for mye å gjøre. Hvorfor, kunne du få en pekepinn på under Bylarm, først på Herr Nilsen fredag og så på Gamla lørdag kveld.
Album til høsten
Pristine har ikke noe album å vise til, det kommer tidligst til høsten. Men bandet ble likevel en snakkis under bluesfestivalen på Notodden, som hvert år arrangerer en cup for unge og lovende artister. Pristine skilte seg ut, og ikke bare på grunn av musikken. For det første har bandet en tøff frontfigur i Solheim, ei vever, rødhåra dame som absolutt ikke spør om lov til å heve stemmen.

Solheim har klare likhetstrekk med sterke amerikanske damer som Beth Hart, Dana Fuchs og Janiva Magness, som alle har fått et publikum i Norge via Notodden Blues Festival.

De har alle et sterkt, personlig uttrykk - sjøl om Solheim ikke har like mye levd liv å formidle.
Norske bluesdamer
Blues-Norge har fått flere kvinnelige frontfigurer de siste par-tre åra, som Stina Stenerud, Katrine Klemp i det tidligere unionsbandet Shuffle Service og Ellen Marie Løkslid, alias Elly Marvellous. Men du må tilbake til avdøde Kristin Berglund for å finne ei tøffere bluesdame her til lands enn Solheim akkurat nå.

For det andre har de gitarist Espen Jakobsen, som bidrar med kreativt spill og får mye - og velfortjent - spillerom i bandet. Kompet er det heller ikke noe å si på, særlig scorer Åsmund Wilter Eriksson stort med sin innbitte, pulserende bassgroove. Kim Karlsen spiller trommer og Anders Oskal orgel.
Allsidige
Med unntak av reineier Oskal fra Kautokeino, er alle heltidsmusikere med base i nord. Fartstida i flere forskjellige band trekker de veksler på når de i Pristine stilmessig svinger mellom tradisjonell blues, shuffle, soul, sørstatsrock og bluesrock - hele tida med høyt energinivå. Bandet har riktignok også en aldri så liten hang til å dra låtene litt langt, men det blir pirk i denne sammenhengen.

Pristine er et forfriskende innslag i Blues-Norge. Ut til bluesfolket med dem! - Dagbladet Nett, 20.februar 2011– Øyvind Rønning

About No Regret:
"... I want to play as the title cut, although it is actually as much as eight minutes long. The reason is that these eight minutes are some of the best I've heard of Norwegian music so far this year. "
(Bård Ose, NRK P1)

"... a breath of fresh air in the 2010s often lethargic sound."
"It sounds encouraging and affirming. The dynamics are impeccable, and the instrumentation is perfect."
(5/6, Rune Westengen, Romerikets Blad)

"Heavy and dense, quiet and airy, inspired and imaginative, full of contrasts and genuine. The adjectives are stacking up."
(5/6, Geir Hovensjø, Østlendingen)

About Pristines concerts:
"... we are talking about a band, so good that they should be set for an international breakthrough!"
(6/6, Berhard Hienerwadel, Altaposten)

"... it’s impossible not to be carried away by the combination of unpretentious blues and tasteful finesse."
(Roy-Frode Løvland, Troms Folkeblad)

”Rough, raw and radiant!”
(Nordlysfestivalen)

”...when fireworks personified, Heidi Solheim enters the stage, you just squeeze into your bellbottoms and join her back to her rendition of the 70`s rock era”
(Troms Folkeblad)

About «Detoxing»:
«Their debut album is a superior force majure”
“Pristine convinces on their first attempt.“
(5/6, Øyvind Rønning, Dagbladet)

“Their debut album meets the expectations and comes through with flying colors”
(5/6, Svein Andersen, Aftenposten)

“Pristine are so self-confident it borders on arrogance.”
(5/6, Åsgeir Johansen, iTromsø)

“Pristine gives the blues a swift kick into the 21st Century”
(Sheryl & Don Crow, Nashville Blues Society)

“…baby, does it work!”
“Detoxing is an excellent set that becomes even better the more you listen to it…”
(Graham Clarke, Blues Bytes)

“…this is simply an outstanding presentation.”
(Steven Nickelson, WYCE Music Journal) - Pristine