METAHUMAN: 
 AV talks with Sverre Knut Johansen

 

Sverre Knut Johansen

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METAHUMAN

Releases 9/23/2022

 

 

Hailing from the dramatic landscapes of Norway, Sverre Knut Johansen has spent over three decades establishing himself as a master of "symphonic electronic" music. His journey began in 1994 with a debut produced by the legendary Erik Wøllo on the Origo Sound label, instantly showcasing the rich content and strong melodic elements that have since become his artistic trademark. This foundational period established a bridge between the lush, expansive textures of modern synthesis and a deep, melodic sensibility rooted in the classical tradition, inviting listeners into spaces where technical precision and emotional resonance exist in perfect equilibrium. 

Since launching his own Origin Music label in 2013 and joining the Spotted Peccary Music roster, Johansen has released a series of ambitious, concept-driven works including The Source of Energy (1999), Planets (2012), and his sixth SPM release, METAHUMAN. While symphonic structures dominated his early output, his more recent projects vary widely in style, blending lyrical and rhythmic elements with classical and electronic ambient textures. From the primordial echoes of Precambrian to the technological inquiries of Planetary Rebirth, Johansen’s discography tackles universal themes—ranging from deep geological history to the far reaches of human consciousness—with the skill of a profound storyteller. Beyond his technical mastery, Johansen is an artist deeply shaped by his inspirations, drawing from the electronic jazz of Norwegian acts like Hvìtur Hestur and Different Directions, as well as the work of Steve Roach, whose influence is felt on landmark albums like Nightshift and Elements of Light.

 

Whether working solo or collaborating with fellow visionaries like David Helpling or Robert Rich, he continues to push the boundaries of the genre, proving that ambient music can be both a grand statement and an intimate, reflective experience. In this AV Quick-Fire session, we catch a glimpse of the creative sparks and philosophies that drive his tireless pursuit of the symphonic electronic ideal.

AV:  Describe the project for us and, what does the title mean?

SKJ:  The album is inspired by Deepak Chopra's book METAHUMAN.

Chopra unlocks the secrets to moving beyond our present limitations to access a field of infinite possibilities. It means to move past the limitations constructed by the mind and to enter a new state of awareness in which we have deliberate and concrete access to peak experiences that can transform people’s lives from the inside out.

AV:  Has Deepak achieved this state of being? Is it possible for all of us?

SKJ:  Humans do this naturally—to a point. For centuries the great artists, scientists, writers, and many ordinary people have gone beyond the everyday physical world. But if we could channel these bewildering experiences, what would happen? Chopra argues we would wake up to experiences that would blow open our bodies, minds, and souls. Metahuman invites the reader of Deepak to walk the path of here and now.

AV:  What is the benefit to humanity?

SKJ:  Waking up, we learn, isn’t just about mindfulness or meditation. By going beyond, we can liberate ourselves from the conditioning and constructs that underlie anxiety, tension, and ego-driven demands. Waking up allows life to make sense as never before. To make this as practical as possible, Chopra rounds out the book with a 31-day guide to becoming Metahuman. Once you wake up, he writes, your life becomes transformed, because pure consciousness—which is the field of all possibilities-- then dawns in your life. Only then does your infinite potential become your personal reality.

AV:  Does the music assist in this process?

SKJ:  I hope so! To become a Metahuman we must unlock our full potential through meditation and open up our creativity, our insight, our imagination, our compassion, our truth, our love, our empathy, our desire for goodness, beauty and harmony.

AV:  Does anyone join you on this METAHUMAN journey?

SKJ:  Yes, Ståle Storløkken is on a few tracks, and fellow Spotted Peccary artist and guitarist David Helpling joins me on the final track, “Infinity Being.”

Liner Notes:

All music written, recorded and produced by Sverre Knut Johansen at the Music Space Center in Norway. “Infinity Being” was written by Sverre Knut Johansen and David Helpling.

Sverre Knut Johansen: Sequential Prophet X and Pro 3, Steinberger bass guitar on “Infinity Being,” the HAKEN Continiuum Mini on “META (The Light Inside You),” and “Fluctuations of Awareness.”

Ståle Storløkken: Haken Audio Continiuum on “METAHUMAN,” “Unity Of Existence Through Evolution,” and “METAHUMAN (Extended).”

David Helpling: Guitar, Synthesizers, and Piano on “Infinity Being.”

MASTERED BY HOWARD GIVENS AT SPOTTED PECCARY STUDIOS NW, PORTLAND, OR

DESIGN BY DANIEL PIPITONE AT SPOTTED PECCARY STUDIOS NE, LIGONIER, PA