THE DEATH DEFYING UNICORN

[Grimr]

I have listened to the snippets and have to say I am underwhelmed.

Can't wait for the album (pre-ordered from Stickman), and got my tickets booked for London, and I'm sure all will be well. But shouldn't have listened to the snippets!

[fillmore]

Amazing review from Glitterhouse which seriously raises the stakes. Shared by Karlfoffel Rupé on Facebook.

[fillmore]

Motorpsycho

The Death Defying Unicorn

Die grandiose, bombastische, alles niederwalzende Wiedergeburt des Progressive Rock. Die Stil-Schranken-zerschmetternde Rückkehr des kolossalen Konzeptalbums. Mehr als 80 bis an den Rand gefüllte Minuten einer Rock-Genialität, die jeglichen Atem raubt. Kurz: Das Magnum Opus von Motorpsycho. Entschuldigt die Häufung von Superlativen, aber selbst der Motorpsycho-Kenner und -Verehrer gerät ins Schlingern, angesichts dieses voluminösen Wahnsinns, der in allen Belangen nur von Größe und Schönheit kündet. Im ansprechend dicken Mehrfach-Klapp-Digipak (wahlweise auf wertem Doppel-Vinyl) kommt ein Ausnahmewerk daher, das selbst im reichen Katalog der norwegischen Rock-Grenzgänger einzigartig ist. Mehr als zwei Jahre der Entwicklung steckt in dem Projekt, dass das Trio gemeinsam mit dem Keyboarder & Komponisten Stale Storlokken erarbeitete, fast dreißig Musiker, darunter das Trondheim Jazz Orchestra und das Ensemble Trondheimsolistene, erschufen das aus 13 kunstvollst konzipierten Epen bestehende Opus, das mir den Glauben an die unstillbare Lebendigkeit und kreative Kraft des Progressive Rock wiedergibt. Obwohl zahlreiche, orchestrale klassische Motive verwandt und mannigfache, gern auch lustvoll disharmonische Jazz-Querverweise verarbeitet werden, ist das Konzeptwerk kein mehrfach durchgekautes, nach Zahlen gemaltes Rock meets Klassik meets Jazzalbum, sondern ein lebendiges, vielfältig schillerndes, aus allen Schubladen berstendes, dennoch natürliches Amalgam geworden, das mit Metall-harten oder bös-verzerrten Blues-Gitarren, machtvollem Schlagwerk, mitreißendem Gesang, Klarinetten-Kaskaden, Saxophon-Salven und breitester Blech-Blas- und Streich-Orchester-Allmacht dem final ergötzten Hörer die Sinne raubt. Kaum in einem einzigen Hörgang zu erfassen, gewinnt der vor Ideen platzende Progressive-Rausch mit jedem neuen Zusammentreffen, wobei nur der komplette Genuß auch der volle Genuß ist. Herrlich, dass mich nach den Jahrzehnten des aktiven Musikhörens ein neues Album noch derart überfahren, mitreissen und beglücken kann. Ein Mammut-Meisterwerk. (cpa)

Source: Glitterhouse

[Tomcat]

Hallelujah, amen!

[Holle]

two other reviews:

Quote:

10.2. Großes Kino mit einer Art Rockoper, die ihresgleichen sucht und nichts mit dem sonst üblichen Genrekitsch zu tun hat. Motorpsycho, der Jazz-Keyborder Stale Storlokken und ein Streicher Oktett nebst Meistergeiger Ola Kvernberg entwickelten dieses Album eigentlich für einen Auftritt beim Molde International Jazzfestival 2010 und schrieben dafür komplett neue Musik. Nach dem Auftritt überarbeiteten sie weiter, weil ihnen das Projekt zu sehr in Richtung Jazz ging und schufen ein Stück Musik, das in seiner epischen Breite fast erschlägt, zwischen ganz leisen, von klassischen Passagen und lauten, rockigen Passagen pendelt und mit seiner Unvorhersehbarkeit und Dynamik massiv beeindruckt. Schönheit und Wucht liegen eng beieinander hier, ein psychedelisches wie progressives Furiosum mit Tiefgang, sanft und hart zu gleichen Teilen. Ein massives, anspruchsvolles Werk mit brillienten Musikern und Ideen für die Ewigkeit, weitestgehend instrumental und 2 Stunden lang. *Stickman

http://www.flight13.com/details/9784…efying-unicorn

Quote:

Most bands will reach a creative peak at a certain point in their career after which they simply continue in a less interesting fashion before eventually calling it a day. Not so with Motorpsycho. After more than 20 years they continue to develop and to to challenge themselves artistically. On this epic, double concept album, easily their most ambitious yet, Motorpsycho has assembled the cream of classical and jazz musicians from world class ensembles established in Trondheim, their hometown. ”The Death Defying Unicorn” was first commisioned by Molde International Jazzfestival for their 50th anniversary in 2010 where it was performed on the main outdoor stage. This, however, has been partly re-arranged, refined and recorded from scratch at Propeller Studios in Oslo with Kåre Chr. Vestrheim once again co-producing as he did with ”Heavy Metal Fruit”. Ståle Storløkken (Supersilent, Elephant9, Humcrush, Terje Rypdal) is considered one of Norway´s top keyboardists but here he also comes into his full as a writer and not at least arranger of the two ensembles. His contributions to this album can not be stressed enough. Among the players in Trondheim Jazz Orchestra are wellknown names such as Kjetil Møster (Ultralyd), André Roligheten (Albatrosh) and Mathias Eick, not to forget star violinist Ola Kvernberg.

http://manafonistas.de/2012/01/25/out-soo-n-on-rune-grammofon-motorpsycho-and-stale-storlokken-death-defying-unicorn/

I didn't know before that Mathias Eick is part of the unicorn. But it's logical.

[supernaut]

Quote:

Hallelujah, amen!

!!!!!!!!!!

[Be]

I don't think that I will like that record, but we'll see…

[Rolf]

Quote:

Source: Glitterhouse

I would love it if someone could translate this to English or similar. The German speaking part of my brain has gone on vacation and never returned

[supernaut]

An attempt to translate the Glitterhouse review:

The grand, superhuge (what's "bombastisch" in english?) rebirth of progressive rock that runs over everything like a tank. The return of the colossal concept album smashing all style and genre limitations. More than 80mins full of rock genius stealing yr breath. Short: the magnum Opus of Motorpsycho. Sorry for all the superlatives, but even the MP-lover gets dizzy due to the scale of this madness, that tells of grandeur and beauty in all regards. Presented as an attractive multifold CD digipack (or double vinyl), this is an exceptional piece of work even with Motorpsycho's rich back catalogue in mind. It took over 2 years to finish this, developed from the start with Stale Storlokken. Almost 30 musicians (including the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra and the Ensemble Trondheimsolistene) created this work of 13 artistically adept epics, which gives me back my belief in the insatiable (?) life and creative force of Progrock.

Although lots of orchestral classical motifs and disharmonic jazz elements are being used in a lustful way, this isn't a rock-meets-classic-meets-jazz album by numbers. It's a living shimmering kaleidoscope and a natural amalgam/melange defying all genre restraints, that dazzles the listener robbing his senses with its metal hard or blues distorted guitars, powerful drums, immersive singing, clarinet cascades, saxophone attacks and the omnipower of string and brass orchestra in its widest range. Hardly to grasp in one listen, this progressive rush (?) grows with every next one, and only the complete listen brings the full enjoyment.

Wonderful how after decades of devoted listening to music a new release can run me over, draw me in and make me happy. A mammoth masterpiece.

hm… sounds kinda interesting.

[Grimr]

Thanks for the translation, Supernaut. Spot on.

Bombastisch = bombastic. :wink:

[Holle]

Tracklist with songlength (from weltbild from weltbild)

Disc one:

01 Out Of The Woods 02:40

02 The Hollow Lands 07:36

03 Through The Veil 16:01

04 Doldrums 03:06

05 Into The Gyre 10:22

06 Flotsam 01:33

Disc two

01 Oh Proteus – A Prayer 07:35

02 Sculls In Limbo 02:21

03 La Lethe 7:53

04 Oh Proteus – A Lament 1:04

05 Sharks 07:56

06 Mutiny! 08:33

07 Into The Mystic 07:04

[GBD]

For the ultra curious – Different snippets here ->

I'm even more excited now :MPD:

[Rolf]

Jisus, thanks for the translation! I for one am beyond excited about this album!!!

[Ivan]

@GBD: and!? did you listen to the snippets? what do you think?

[otherdemon]

If any of you are near Oslo on February 9th, you might want to attend this "releaseparty" for the new MP album. The album will be played in its entirety, and you can purchase the album + limited edition t-shirts and silk prints. The awesome record-store Big Dipper is behind this arrangement.

[Author]

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