BLACK SCIENCE AND WHITE LIES

In progressive rock, there's a belief that a song over 12 minutes long is impressive, but when a song takes up an entire side of an album, it becomes extraordinary. Classic albums like Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull, Foxtrot by Genesis, and Close to the Edge and Tales from Topographic Oceans by Yes feature songs that occupy a whole side, which has helped make these records legendary.

Infringement, a progressive rock band from Oslo, was formed in 2015 by Stig André Clason (guitar), Kristoffer Utby (drums), and Hans Andreas Brandal (vocals). Keyboardist Bård Thorstensen joined later for live shows, then became a full member, and the band's lineup was completed by bassist Emil Olsen.

Infringement's music mixes neo-progressive and symphonic rock, with an eclectic style that covers a wide range of influences. Their debut album brings funky, groovy rhythms as well as echoes of '70s prog rock. The band uses complex time signatures, symphonic arrangements, and surprising twists to create a sound that is both familiar and fresh.

However, this album shows that creating a conceptual piece with two long tracks doesn't always guarantee a masterpiece. It can be hard to keep such long songs interesting, and Infringement sometimes falls into repetition. Despite this, drummer Kristoffer Utby and bassist Emil Olsen stand out, bringing strong performances to the album. Sadly, the final mix hides much of Clason's guitar work, though he has added some interesting parts.

One issue with the album is the keyboard parts. Sometimes, Thorstensen's tone and vintage sound fit the music perfectly; at other times, the keyboards feel out of place or a bit cheesy. Thorstensen's role as the main harmony player seems to stretch him to his limits in these compositions. Vocalist Hans Andreas Brandal also struggles at times, as his voice sounds tired and occasionally off-key. Singing in English may not be his strength, which could be part of the problem.

Even with these issues, the album has its strong moments. It includes two main tracks: White Lies at 20 minutes and Black Science at 22 minutes. The band's style shifts between the influence of Magic Pie and Pendragon. White Lies, especially in part 4, is where the band sounds most united and energetic. Meanwhile, Black Science has a more atmospheric, neo-progressive style, with parts 4 and 5 delivering a satisfying climax.

After 44 minutes of listening, I enjoyed this album but wasn't blown away. The songs feel a bit too long, and shorter, more focused compositions could make the album more engaging. Overall, Black Science and White Lies is a good addition to the prog rock genre, though Infringement still has room to grow. With tighter songs and continued development, they could reach new heights.

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