I think it's easier for someone like me, who can't really remember the 'old' a-ha to separate the 'old' and the 'new'. I came 'back' to a-ha (well, I wasn't really there the first time round) and listened to them, not for the band they were but for the band they are. It's impossible for me to bring this:

and this

together.

I mean look at them - they have stubble for crying out loud. I can't even bring the 80s a-ha and the 90s a-ha together. If I can't make a 10 year leap... how can people expect me to make a 20 year one? I'm simplifying, but you get the idea.

a-ha changed a lot, it's not just their look, their sound is a lot more mature, and they are not quite so afraid to play around with their songs when they perform. In fact, like a lot of people I prefer them live, they sound better. A little rougher, a little edgier, a little rockier...

I've heard a lot of fans, who've followed and stayed loyal to a-ha for 20 years, complain that they're not the band they were in the 80s - thank god for that! I think a-ha's much better now than they were in the 80's - not every one agrees with me on that one. I don't necessarily think their last two studio albums where better than the ones before the initial split, but as a performing band, there's definitely a great improvement.

Okay enough of my opinion... that is not why you're here.

a-ha was approached a few times to appear at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, in Paul's own words it got embarrassing to say no. In December 1998, the band reunited to perform at the ceremony. At first they were reluctant to get together, Morten considered it a step backwards in his career and Magne couldn't see himself as a pop star again. The Nobel concert sparked something off though and after, according to some, lengthy conversations the band enter into negotiations to get back together.

Apparantly, Morten wasn't very happy with the way the money was split between the band in the past, he earned the least of the three and there must've been a time towards the end of the 'first round' that he felt unappreciated. He certainly made enough comments that he was paraded around like a clown. He reportedly claimed that he would not enter into a new period with a-ha to earn money for the others by selling his body. He wanted the money to be divided more equally, and evidently, wanted to get more involved in the creative side of things.

It wasn't until April/May of 2000 that a-ha released their 6th studio album. Minor Earth|Major Sky to critical acclaim. In November of that year they kicked of their tour in Japan. In March 2001 they performed at Vallhal, for the now rather legendary webcast. The concert is also available on DVD (Live at Vallhal)

In August 2001 the tour concluded in Denmark.

They released their 7th studio album, Lifelines in April 2002, started touring in June of that year and concluded their tour in Trondheim (Norway) in November 2003. They performed only twice in 2004 - 4 June at the Folk Festival in Bergen and 12 June and the Rock under Broen festival Denmark.

For about two years, the union or band that is a-ha, didn't do much. A book called The Swing of Things, were released in November 2004. Magne concentrated on his art and solo project. Paul released a new album with Savoy, toured in Norway and received a nomination for the Spelleman awards (Best pop group). Morten popped up every once in a while, but Magne was the one who stole the spotlight from the other two in 2004/2005.

In July 2005 a-ha finally got back on stage again to perform at the Live 8 concert in Berlin, Germany. Their new single Celice has just beed released to radio stations in Germany and Norway. The rest of Europe eagerly awaits the release of the single and, a-ha's 9th studio album will be released on 7 November 2005 (according to a-ha.com) On 27 August they will kick of their world tour in Oslo, Norway - they will perform at a free concert in Frognerparken.

a-ha will also return to the USA for their first concert on American soil in 20 years. Tickets for their show in New York sold out within 54 minutes.

There's not really all that much to tell about a-ha as a unit since they reunited... a lot less hype, a lot less media attention (compared to the 80s), one minor outbreak around The swing of things, a minor upset when it was announced that they could not work together as a band and couldn't get along during the recording of Lifelines. That, apparantly changed with the new album, reportedly they are now a band again and getting along. A couple of outrages surrounding Morten - including the much discussed and hated "Magnet" kiss in Bergen 2004.

And that's it, now we wait for more.