MOTORPSYCHO & STÅLE STORLØKKEN: THE DEATH DEFYING UNICORN

The work of Norwegian band Motorpsycho is really interesting and unique. Although their sound is derived from Grunge style, they don't hesitate to mix a bit of Jazz, a pinch of Classical music, a little bit of Psychedelia, and a handful of Pop into their "Musical Boiler" - all spiced up by exquisite musicianship of all three band members, so that the resulting mixture is exceptional and novel. Every their album is different, but recognizable by the unmistakable slightly gruff vocal, yet brilliant in heights, of Bent Saether (little reminiscent of the legendary Kurt Cobain) and his flawless aggressive bass.

Their first recording dates back to 1991. We can say that Motorpsycho mature as a quality French wine... What they have hinted on their previous albums, namely the co-production album with Jaga Jazzist "In the Fishtank" (2003), or "Little Lucid Moments" (2008) and "Heavy Metal Fruit" (2010) is capitalizing on their last piece, entitled "The Death Defying Unicorn". This time they joined with also Norwegian artist Ståle Storløkken, known from bands such as Elephant9, Supersilent or Trondheim Jazz Orchestra. The last mentioned band also plays on this recording, which is a conceptual double album.

The entire record is extremely vibrant, nervous, multilayered, shifting suddenly from fortissimo to piano and vice versa. The Power trio alternates with the Jazz Orchestra relatively harmoniously, as a whole it works quite naturally. The first part of the double album is harder and more rolling, kicking, more seated in Grunge (especially the excellent "The Hollow Lands"), while the second part has fewer vocals, it's generally darker and sometimes recalls some compositions of e.g. Edgard Varèse, Univers Zero or Henry Cow (notably "La Lethe" and "Sharks").

What else to say? I think that an imaginary benchmark set by Deep Purple with their legendary "Concerto for Group and Orchestra" or even Mahavishnu Orchestra with "Apocalypse" was overcome! The term "Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music" is really appropriate!

4,5 stars rounded to 5.

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