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I had my best Motorpsycho-concert experience in the Gloria. Heavy Metal Fruit Tour. Great fun -> 3 hours.
A rating of 10/10 of metal.de
Translation into English from German:
MOTORPSYCHO have never been known for keeping their feet still, let alone falling into a creative hole, which they prove once again more than ever with "Kingdom Of Oblivion". After the end of the unofficial trilogy consisting of "The Tower", "The Crucible" and "The All Is One", which mainly revolved around the Norwegian artist Håkon Gullvåg, a new musical era of the Trondheimers now follows.
The new work is now to settle more in hard rock, but not lose the progressive character. One thing is certain, however, the albums of the past delivered quality and often received positive feedback in the press. It seems all the more difficult to keep this steady development on a high level in the future. Unfortunately, not all bands succeed in doing so, which causes them to lose a lot of listeners holistically.
A new world formed by MOTORPSYCHO's steady hands
It is really difficult to find a beginning. "Kingdom Of Oblivion" seems like a colossus of an album. Fresh original riffs, changing atmospheres and a really intelligent respectively complex written lyricism make the album almost confusing. But unlike some previous works, "Kingdom Of Oblivion" sounds catchier, almost clearer.
Starting with "The Waning Pt.1&2" MOTORPSYCHO stay true to their system, although the song is sonically more reminiscent of the 2017 album "The Tower". Ben Saeher's and Hans Magnus Ryan's vocals partly take on more poppy proportions, but the banging sound shows in which direction the guys want to go.
Still, the album clearly stands out from its predecessors and takes on a sound all its own, but typical of MOTORPSYCHO. The title track remains psychedelic to a certain extent, accompanied by a fuzzy undertone and discordant riffs. At different points the atmosphere almost breaks out into the orchestral and sometimes it seems soothing and gentle.
"Lady May 1" has the same emotional character as conveyed by SIMON & GARFUNKEL or YUSUF / CAT STEVENS. In contrast, "Cormorant" and "Atet" have more of an experimental post-psychedelic feel. Great also comes the folk song "The Hunt", which by breaks again into swaying synthesizers and creeps frighteningly in an oriental direction, to then resume its initial melody.
"Kingdom Of Oblivion" as the masterpiece of the masters.
One adventure chases the next. The vocal melody contributes here inevitably to the exciting and goosebump causing overall picture. Also "The United Debased" succeeds in an inspiring balancing act through tempo and sound changes. Yet somehow the track does not deviate from its path and retains a certain constant. Surprisingly proves to be the beautiful, slightly disturbing MOTÖRHEAD cover "The Watcher", which acoustically deviates very much from the original and probably lyrically fit into the conceptual development of the album.
"Kingdom Of Oblivion" is probably best compared to "Timothy's Monster" from 1994 or "Heavy Metal Fruit" from 2010. However, the latest album has a much more prominent noise-rock component. However, MOTORPSYCHO neither focus on past nor try to imitate any style, which is why their works are mostly easy to distinguish independently.
MOTORPSYCHO embrace progression in detail
Not only stylistically, but also the tracks among themselves slowly develop their haunting nature. While the beginning still comes across as quite heavy, the almost weird atmosphere emerges over time. So the interludes stand out especially, as well as the genre massacre itself.
The Trondheimers mastered the balance between sweet-soft and threatening-extraordinary passages with such playful ease as only a few bands are capable of. Thus, surprises and unique moments are waiting everywhere to be discovered. Because with this monster of an album, a single listen is not enough to grasp it in its entirety.
The fall of the world, the forgotten kingdom of MOTORPSYCHO
MOTORPSYCHO show themselves socio-critical and deliver a lyrically very dystopian work. They use many metaphors and stylistic figures, which can also have ambiguous statements.
pushed over the edge
equilibrium's offset at last, here out on the ledge
earth's homeostasis, we're losing races
the waning has begun
no choice for anyone
It is striking that "Kingdom Of Oblivion" follows one concept, but changes its perspectives several times. "The Hunt" reports from the fictional character Diana, but at the end the text switches to the first-person perspective. "Dreamkiller", on the other hand, again addresses the listeners directly.
Indeed, the subject matter is very topical and affects each of us. "The Waning Pt.1&2" describes how the balance of the world is shaking. Humans destroy the earth like parasites. Most people are aware of the problems, but they are not always solvable. So there is a need for other ways to continue to exist.
Politically, this social construct is also tarnished. But instead of worrying about unity, others are building walls and stabbing allies in the back. Even if this sounds like an homage to a former president from overseas, the theme is not limited to this circumstance.
After all, no one turns down the prosperity that is offered, since almost everyone wants to maintain a hedonistic lifestyle, no matter what the consequences may be. This system collapses sooner or later and claims its victims.
In the end, the lyrical I realizes his deeds and is now above the mundane until he finally dies. Thus, the burdens that weigh on the shoulders also pass away. No matter what we do and no matter how much we overrun the world, our problems are so tiny compared to the incomprehensible universe. Time eventually heals everything, even if it means the end of humanity.
Nothing really ends except "Kingdom Of Oblivion".
MOTORPSYCHO have outdone themselves once again. The lyricism has much more to offer and sounds eerie and pleasantly dark.
the dream is dead when you commit
the idea becoming fact
solidified and understood
you'll never get it back
to be idea is to be pure
not tainted by intent
between two worlds, to neither bound
but hovering in ascent…
There is no trace of boredom here. The sound develops steadily and splendidly. Musical experiments succeed and fit homogeneously into the work. Nothing feels helpless or posed. Never before did more than 70 minutes go by so fast as on "Kingdom Of Oblivion" and that despite the many long tracks. Without a doubt one of the best albums of the guys from Trondheim.
A rating of 8/10 of Plattentests
Translation into English from German:
Less detours
The inclined music enthusiast who dares to make first contact with Motorpsycho is faced with an almost insurmountable mountain. The amount of studio albums, live releases, EPs and the like overwhelms even the die-hard fan and has a correspondingly intimidating effect on newcomers. The fact that the release of a new album from the house of the industrious Norwegians is always accompanied by anticipation of the next record is simply due to the incredible quality. And so it is also in the case of "Kingdom of oblivion": There they are (already) again!
Only a few months after the conclusion of an incredibly exciting trilogy, which consisted of "The tower", "The crucible" and finally "The all is one", the Scandinavian trio presents the next great work. For about 70 minutes Bent Sæther, Hans Magnus "Snah" Ryan and Tomas Järmyr deliver a coherent ride through the very special, highly independent sound cosmos. What can be heard in the two opening tracks "The waning pt. 1 & 2" and "Kingdom of oblivion" alone, others need whole albums for that. Refreshing: The resolutely rocky note convinces to the full extent, even though the quiet moments typical for Motorpsycho are of course not neglected. After a quiet interlude, the band takes off for the next epic in "The united debased" and proves: Motorpsycho remain true to themselves without forgetting new ideas.
It is due to their acknowledged high art that even a stretch of three restrained songs creates tension instead of boredom and leads to the next overlong track "At empire's end". A reminiscent of earlier times "The hunt" and the quite reduced "After the fair" are finally followed by one of the highlights of "Kingdom of oblivion". The wealth of ideas of "The transmutation of cosmoctopus lurker" is sheer overwhelming, the guitar parts are ravishing. "Cormorant" leads the whole spectacle to the silent finale.
I wonder how they manage to pull it all off. How they sound modern on the one hand and take fabulous trips back to the sixties and seventies on the other? Motorpsycho remain one of the best formations from the widely ramified realm of rock music. The fact that on "Kingdom of Oblivion" they take a few fewer turns than last time, consciously head for the goal more directly in songwriting and at the same time remain true to their formative interplay of loud and quiet, makes up the main quality. In short: more rock, more metal, more directness, a little less jazz. A mix that will again take some time to open up in its entirety. Always in the knowledge that the gradual development of the album will probably be caught up again very quickly by the next prank. From this in principle wonderful dilemma does not come out who loves Motorpsycho or newly discovered for themselves.
Am I wrong or is there a little bit of "She Left on the Sunship" in the song? Especially from 4:07. Maybe not.
Yes, very rocky show. And the end of "Fools Gold" was amazing, the whole venue was vibrating or was it only where i stood?
An online-article by a german magazine (rolling stone) also talked about Motorpsycho producing the new Ole Paus album.
From the Stickman Newsletter:
Thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered the new Motorpsycho album The Crucible! These beauties have arrived at the ranch and are being prepared for shipping next week. Though our exclusive colored edition has sold out, the black version is still available in our webstore!
YES!
