In 2026, Kanaan celebrates 10 years as a band with their tenth album, simply and aptly titled Kanaan. It felt only natural for this album to be self-titled, given that it is built upon a solid musical foundation the band has crafted over a decade. And that foundation rumbles powerfully. With Kanaan, we’re approaching earthquake territory.
With their grand and eclectic new album, Kanaan digs even deeper into the diverse genres that have defined their music. The melodic sections boast strong, catchy qualities; the psychedelic parts are wilder and more unhinged; and the retro, analog sounds feel vintage and unpolished. And when it comes to riffs, there are no weight loss drugs involved here—they’re heavier than ever.
Yet, even as the band continues to evolve, their distinct Kanaan sound remains intact. The band themselves describe the album as a celebration of everything they’ve achieved musically and artistically so far—but also everything they’ve experienced and accomplished as close friends playing together.
The members have grown up, but their musical curiosity, creativity, and drive to create remain stronger than ever. Their willingness to truly immerse themselves in the music in the studio—day and night, to play, jam, compose, and live inside it—is still there. They describe their time in Halden’s Athletic Sound as a kind of black hole where only the band, engineer Dag Erik Johansen, and the music existed.
As if life wasn’t busy enough for Kanaan’s members, with frequent touring and annual album releases, they find time for countless side projects. The trio comes together in the expanded orchestra Full Earth, where they play music written by drummer Ingvald André Vassbø. Vassbø also plays in the experimental psych/free jazz project Sex Magick Wizards and has recently had a stint with legends Motorpsycho. Bassist Eskild Myrvoll lays down fierce bass lines in the hardcore band Daufødt and, until recently, in the black metal band Blodkvalt. Guitarist Ask Vatn Strøm has long played cheerful, groove-heavy jazz-infused indie with ¡BangBang Watergun! and groovy blues in Soft City. In the dream pop band Cloud Cuckoo, he serves as the lead guitarist. Together, these side projects form an incredibly eclectic mix that not only showcases the musicians’ versatility but also hints at the well of inspiration behind Kanaan’s sound.
Kanaan releases on Jansen Records on October 16th 2026.
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