MOTORPSYCHO & STÅLE STORLØKKEN: THE DEATH DEFYING UNICORN

Motorpsycho is a Norwegian band that was a big unknown for me. I know it is only thanks to their then-new album "Heavy Metal Fruit" (2010) and only by looking at this masterpiece, I gradually began to search for their other albums. Their relatively large production however suffers from a significant imbalance, what's particularly evident in their early albums, but since about the beginning of this Millennium, from the album "Phanerothyme", Motorpsycho are ranked among the top progressive bands.

What is typical of their music, that's uncompromising booming, and a heavy rolling sound, driven mainly by bass guitar of Bernd Sæther (how else if he's the frontman, right?), Ostinato figures and often used elements of Jazz, Pop, Metal, etc..

Futhermore I feel they have matured with each new album as that famous French wine. Because if their joint album with Jaga Jazzist, "In The Fishtank" was an excellent combination of Psychedelic Rock and Jazz, the aforementioned "Heavy Metal Fruit" was then a real treat and has set the imaginary bar very highly. And they continue with this trend in the recent joint work, Motorpsycho & Ståle Storløkken "The Death Defying Unicorn."

I must say it's really a masterpiece. The base, already described above, this time was accompanied by keyboardist, conductor and co-author of some songs, Storløkken and Trondheim Jazz Orchestra and Trondheimsolistene (led by him). The result may be somewhat reminiscent of other Fusion projects of yesteryear, such as the famous "Apocalypse" by Mahavishnu Orchestra and Deep Purple's "Concerto For Group And Orchestra" or lesser- known "Coniunctio" or "New Synthesis" by the Czech group Blue Effect. All this in a somewhat harder packaging, but in the spirit of the best traditions of Fusion music. Hard to highlight any song, this album is just as strong as a whole! I would say that it is still most perfect and most mature project, which this band ever recorded...

Well, a highly set bar was surprisingly overcome! Five stars, without a doubt.