THE CRUCIBLE

The Crucible is the second album in Motorpsycho's Gullvåg Trilogy. It can feel like the middle child?sometimes ignored or misunderstood. Fans of The Tower, the first part of this triad, might not fully appreciate it or may feel let down, while those who love The All Is One, the third part, often feel more connected to The Crucible. It's a very complex work with intricate compositions, a great mellotron atmosphere, excellent mixing and production, and superb sound.

This album serves as a bridge between the two, but it stands out on its own. It's structured like a classic prog-rock album, with two long songs and one epic track. Yet, the music is pure Motorpsycho?unique and not following anyone else's rules.

The first track, "Psychotzar," hits hard right from the start. It's heavy, filled with big, aggressive guitar riffs, pounding drums, and raw vocals. Tomas Järmyr's drumming drives the song with force, and the guitar solos are sharp. Halfway through, the song suddenly switches gears into a dreamy, psychedelic blues section. This break gives the song more depth and shows how the band skillfully blends styles.

"Lux Aeterna" is the second track. It starts softer, with gentle guitar and mellotron, which adds a warm, old-school sound. The song feels like a throwback to '70s prog-rock. Fans of King Crimson's Islands may find something very emotional here. The song moves between shifting tempos and a mix of calm and energetic parts. The vocal harmonies from Susanna Wallumrød give it a rich, layered sound, and the mellotron helps create a vintage vibe. The drums change pace several times, keeping things interesting, while the guitars shift from soft and delicate to louder and more intense. The great reed work from Lars Horntveth is really interesting and gives the track a special flavor.

The final track, "The Crucible," is the longest at 21 minutes. It starts slow and dark, building tension with subtle bass and guitar. The song flows between quieter moments and louder, more intense parts. In the middle, the band dives into a long instrumental section, playing around with different sounds and styles, creating a kind of spacey, jazz-like atmosphere. Toward the end, the song builds up to a big, powerful finish, with heavy guitar riffs and bold solos. Some listeners might feel the song loses some steam during the long jam, but it still ends strong.

The Crucible stands as a bold step away from The Tower, with the music showing clear evolution. It fits well into Motorpsycho's search for new soundscapes and represents significant growth compared to their previous work. The Crucible lays the groundwork for what Motorpsycho seeks to refine in their next record.

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