NARCOTICA

While loads of musicianship is demonstrated in this album, it is obvious that Invisigoth's creature has been cooked up in a lab; because there are numerous - daresay diverse - influences burned into its DNA. While the results are melodic, it's often pretty scary to behold. It's harder to say if it's closer to Frankenstein's monster or a Predalien. Regardless, it won't be an alienator to prospective fans on the fringe of progressive rock. Then again, people may fear getting mauled by this transmogrified chimera at first. In the end, the breed gets a bad wrap as it's both provocative and affable when given a chance.

To name a few of its weird vices and varied traits: Planet P Project, Led Zeppelin, and Little Blue Crunchy Things are deeply-seated in its chromosomes.

"Dark Highway" is the coup de gras, because it has a Broadway musical stitched into its fuzzy fleece. It's comprised of "Transmission" followed by "Before First Flight". The multi- track composition doesn't conclude until the final two tracks with "New Rome" and "Take the Blood".

Even though its split personalities are set apart, it works cohesively with the rest of the album. Since the featured epic is foremost and also gives last rites, the advanced organism pretty much guarantees a good impression from its blockhead to its lightning bolt screws to its gangrene toes. I dissected it and tried out several permutations. To be honest, it's kind of like a Manglord. When his arms were ripped apart, they were easily reattached. The sticky figurine also plays well with the other pliable tracks.

In my not-so-humble opinion, the best song in the series is "A Beautiful Disaster". While unsurpassed, it still gave me a stiff neck due to the constant rubbernecking it compels you to do. The title track is another sociable oddball; quite deserving of such an addictive name. Likewise, something of a friendly and fetishistic nature shows up in "Pornucopia", too.

Back to the extensive featurette, Parts III & IV of "Dark Highway" pick up right where Part I & II left off -- regardless of the fact that these distinguishing parts are separated by mucho space. Frankly, it could have been an EP but the content in between the dual double doses doesn't dilute the sum of its parts. Actually, the extrapolated nucleus adds a lot. Strangely coincidental, the conclusion of "Dark Highway" has dialogue that sounds a lot like Health Ledger's insanely-serious Joker. Initially, it's grim. In due course, it'll put the most heinous grin on your face.

Though the output from this assembly line doesn't tie in with transforming robots, sword- wielding pirates, muscle heads or garbage pail kids, it's all intriguingly-clean fun. As a result, there is a very good chance that Invisigoth will incite that bratty kid in you to come out and play and throw your boring toy bands away -- for something like this that's far more fascinating and significantly less tame.