Vorsen’s debut album ‘A World On Fire’ is out now

Vorsen is a three-piece Wellington-based band based around the songs of John Halvorsen, whose contribution to New Zealand music to date is enormous. He co-founded The Gordons, was guitarist for Skeptics from 1985 to 1991, and is a core member of Bailterspace.

On A World On Fire we hear where he’s heading now. Halvorsen describes the Vorsen sound as melodic, heavy, emotive, grungy, with echoes of shoegaze and space rock.

Halvorsen’s discography over a 43-year period includes over 20 records. The Gordons’ 1981 self-titled album received the IMNZ Classic Record award at the Taite Music Prize ceremony in 2014, and on its re-release in 2021 went to Number 3 in the NZ Music Official album chart.

A World On Fire is out on CD now, with vinyl available in October.

Listen to A World On Fire on Bandcamp

“Those expecting to be bowled flat by searing guitars and powerhouse rhythms will not be disappointed, A World On Fire feels both stripped back and toweringly immense across its twelve tracks. Lyrics are kept spare yet highly evocative, often alluding to post-apocalyptic states that feel discomfortingly present.

Halvorsen takes stock of humanity’s post-digital slide away from grace on Memes For Brains, surveys environmental infernos on the title track and unleashes uplifting sonic rays on Faster Than Light — while the ominous line “it’s a whole new world for the new generation” resonates on both opener Terraformer and the haunting A Whole New World. A master of his cacophonous form.” – Under The Radar

Vorsen’s latest single is Floating Point, take a listen to it here

Vorsen – A World On Fire Tour

Saturday 30th September – The Mothership, Auckland
With [Allophones] and Vor-stellen (featuring members of the Subliminals)
Event information

Tickets available HERE via UTR