MOTORPSYCHO & STÅLE STORLØKKEN: THE DEATH DEFYING UNICORN

All the music you've heard before from Motorpsycho feels connected to this record, but nothing is quite similar. The Death Defying Unicorn is their first truly grand piece of music and their most ambitious to date. It's the album that establishes their style. After 20 years of experimentation, the band finally found their own voice. Released in 2012, this record marks a daring collaboration with Norwegian jazz virtuoso Ståle Storløkken, blending Motorpsycho's progressive rock with orchestral and jazz elements. Supported by Trondheimsolistene and the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, this ambitious double album dives into deep, uncharted musical waters. The Death Defying Unicorn is a concept album that tells the tale of a sailor who, when faced with the choice of death by hanging or life at sea, embarks on a dangerous journey to explore the mysterious "Hollow Lands." The story is full of metaphor, with the protagonist's physical journey reflecting his inner turmoil, framed by ancient mythology. The music evolves with the story, filled with crescendos, and moments of stark beauty and terror.

1.Out of the Woods (Overture), The album begins with a chaotic instrumental that feels like the start of a storm. Eerie strings and brass create tension, setting the mood for the journey ahead.

2.The Hollow Lands, This is where the story starts. The sailor must choose between death or a dangerous voyage. The music mirrors this decision, blending vocals and orchestration to give the sense of leaving shore and heading into the unknown.

3.Through the Veil, This 16-minute track is the heart of the album. It begins quietly but builds into a massive storm of sound. The orchestra and rock instruments create the feeling of being lost at sea in a fierce storm.

4.Doldrums, After the storm, this song slows things down. The sailors are stuck in eerie calm. The music creates a sense of despair and being lost.

5.Into the Gyre, The pace picks up again with this chaotic track, representing the ship being pulled into a dangerous whirlpool. The music is intense, mimicking the force of swirling water.

6.Flotsam, A short instrumental that reflects the aftermath of the shipwreck. It's a quiet moment of reflection after the chaos.

7.Oh Proteus A Prayer, The sailors, lost at sea, call out to the sea god Proteus for help. The music is atmospheric, creating a feeling of isolation and hopelessness.

8.Sculls in Limbo, Another short instrumental, this track captures the crew's mental confusion as they drift with no direction.

9.La Lethe, Named after a river in Greek mythology, this song represents the crew's descent into madness. The music is haunting, with a trance-like quality.

10.Sharks, This dark track tells the story of the ship's officers turning on each other in desperation. The slow build- up mirrors the growing tension and fear.

11.Mutiny!, Full of energy, this track represents the protagonist's revolt against the officers. It's more straightforward rock but still intense.

12.Into the Mystic, The album ends with a reflection on the journey. The music returns to earlier themes, giving a sense of closure, though not a clear resolution.

The album is beautifully mixed and produced, showcasing the band's musical abilities. Motorpsycho didn't do anything like this in term's of composition until the Gullvåg trilogy, nothing that the band made after this is similar. The Death Defying Unicorn, achieved a special sound, making this an unexpected and unique listening experience.

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