When you dive into the creative core of RULE OF TWO, you’re peeling back layers of sonic influences and raw emotion that reveal a complex and intriguing inner world. Their latest single, “Peeling,” is no exception. With its melancholic synthpop vibe, this track showcases a masterful blend of darkwave and 80s nostalgia, drawing inspiration from the likes of The Cure and Drab Majesty, yet unafraid to cross genre lines without hesitation. They really nailed it—managing to fuse great dynamics into a danceable track that’s full of atmosphere. It’s got a vibe that’s easy to get into, with an energy that’s just on point.
“Peeling” is alsoan exploration of the human psyche, metaphorically likening the mind to an onion.
As the layers are stripped away, the listener is drawn deeper into the complexity and strangeness that lies within, confronting the hidden truths and emotions that are often kept beneath the surface.
The accompanying music video, set for premiere today, visually echoes this theme with haunting imagery that complements the song’s lyrical depth.
Shot with a minimalist yet impactful aesthetic, it mirrors the process of peeling away external facades, revealing the vulnerability and secrets that lie beneath. This video is a testament to the duo’s ability to craft not just music, but a complete audiovisual experience that resonates on multiple levels.
RULE OF TWO, composed of Ronny Flissundet (vocals, lyrics, guitars, synths) and Kristian Liljan (bass, beats, loops, mix/production), have a history rooted in the punk, hardcore, and rock scenes. The two met back in 1997 at a musician’s school outside Trondheim, Norway, and have been collaborating ever since. Their journey has seen them evolve from rock band veterans in groups like Dunderbeist and Damokles to pioneers of a new sound that blends electronic elements with the raw energy of their past.
Their debut track “Bygones” marked a new chapter for the duo, and since then, they’ve written and recorded over 30 songs, working tirelessly in their home studios. The first EP, Drowning, released in June 2024, compiled their earlier singles and showcased their ability to meld 80s and 90s dream pop, darkwave, and electronica into something entirely their own. Now, as they gear up for the release of their second EP in January 2025, “Peeling” stands as a bold statement of what’s to come.
But RULE OF TWO isn’t just about their own music.
Their influences run deep, and they’ve curated a list of 10 trippy music videos that have inspired them on some level—whether it’s the eerie glitch of Aphex Twin’s “Come to Daddy,” the timeless storytelling of Massive Attack’s “Teardrop,” or the pure, gritty energy of Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage.”
Aphex Twin – Come To Daddy
One of the most disturbing and twisted music videos there is. Fantastic production, with a glitchy horror-esque story and picture, to a weird and cool electro/danceable track by brilliant Aphex Twin.
Massive Attack – Teardrop
Beautiful and weird video that really made an impact when it came out, as part of the fantastic triphop aera from the UK in the mid-nineties.
Beastie Boys – Sabotage
Oh, come on, what’s not to love?? Absolutely worship the Beastie Boys, especially around the “Ill Communication” time. Rooted from punk rock and hardcore, with loads of humor and aesthetics, and of course that timeless and übercool bassline.
They must have had so much fun shooting this parodic 70s spy movie video!
Radiohead – Just
A really fascinating video about this random man just laying down in the middle of the street for no reason, making a chain reaction of events. Also really fascinating just watching the weird and twitchy Thom Yorke in action as well. Love Radiohead!
Childish Gambino – This Is America
Not that huge fan of the song itself, but the video is really something. Violence, murder, satiric messages and awesome choreography all the way in this apparently one-shot video featuring loveable weirdo Childish Gambino.
DAMOKLES — Swing, Pendulum, Swing
Had to put in a video of our other band Damokles here, sorry about that. BUT I absolutely love this song, the title track from our previous album from last year.We filmed everything in this abandoned, totally trashed villa in the posh area of Oslo. Gøran ( damokles singer) makes awesome and twisted videos. And yeah, that’s me ( Ronny, Rule Of Two singer etc) in the greenscreen suit.
a-ha – Take On Me
One of the really huge classic MTV prime hits and videos. Especially if you are Norwegian, like us. But the song is a 80s synthpop masterpiece. And the video was the first (known?) to use this kind of technology in a music video, as far as we know.
Pretty iconic.
Portishead – Only You
Another one of trip-hop’s biggest heroes, Portishead, a band that really have influenced us musically. They have something so unique in their sound, and their videos as well really conveys that trippy atmosphere, like in this little weird thing.
Billie Eilish – bad guy
Absolutely love the sound of Billie, something of the most inspirational to spring from the pop world the latest years. The video is intriguing, weird and fun to watch. It has some addictive vibe, hard to describe, really.
Devo – Whip It
The kings of weirdness! Devo is SO much fun, just look at this video, the awkwardness of the nerdy bunch of post-punk/synthpop heroes from the MTV prime 80s. I got to see them live last summer, actually, and it was an absolute mindblowing experience!
