Motorpsycho continue their creative spark with a new double album, following the “pandemically conditioned reaction” albums Yay! (2023) and Neigh!! (2024) they appear to have returned, partly, to The Tower and The Crucible territory. For a band that were formed in Trondheim, Norway in 1989 and still going strong now, there is a lot that new young bands can learn from these guys, in the matter of songwriting and keeping things varied and fresh. Here for this release they have downsized back to a duo, with a few additional musicians here and there, most notable is the contributions from the renown guitarist Reine Fiske.
The eponymous Motorpsycho was recorded at Ye Olde Cheese Factory by Bent Sæther and at Amper Tone studio by Kim Lillestøl and Tomas Pattersen. Mixing by Andrew Scheps at Punkerpad UK, mastering done by Helge Slen at Audio Virus Lab. We have eleven tracks split across two LP’s which range in timings from a concise 2:34 minutes to a mighty 21:07 minutes.
The album opens with Lucifer, Bringer of Light, and I doubt there is a more catchy earworm than this song to start things off. Moving along at a brisk pace the bass line is so addictive it stays with you long after it has ended – a track packed to the brim with all things Motorpsycho do so well whilst maintaining the listeners interest level throughout. The bass opens proceedings before the rest of the instruments crash in. Around three minutes the focus of the lead guitar changes picking out some great runs, with the bass and drums maintaining the momentum, often giving the feeling that it is going to runaway with it self, but the song does remain tight, controlled and focused throughout its ten minutes run.
Next up is Laird of Heimly, here we change style with a lighter folky sort of start provided by acoustic guitar, the addition of strings later on in the track changes the feel slightly, but still maintaining that difference from the opener. Stanley (Tonight’s The Night) was the lead promotional track released as an appetiser and taking us back into the more rock orientated territory – another great track.
The Comeback has a blues/rock style reminiscent of the Seventies, followed by the shortest track at just over two minutes. Kip Satie opens with a lone piano and some subtle mellotron to add atmosphere to this instrumental outing. Then we dive back into the longer format song, at over eleven minutes Balthazar starts gently before the band once again crash in driving the pace upward and onward for another Motorpsycho classic, which has all the hallmarks of a live favourite.
Now when perusing the track listing it is impossible to not note the behemoth of a track Neotzar (The Second Coming) at just over twenty-one minutes long. Things kick off with a guest vocal performance from Thea Grant which is beautifully presented before the song breaks into a furious pace with an almost Black Sabbath like guitar riff. Contrast arrives at around the nine minute mark as the song moves into a quieter interlude of sorts, with synths creating the atmospheric feel, accompanied by a distant sounding harp and lone guitar. Again a gradual build back, with the introduction of further instruments, and at around fourteen minute we back to the song thundering forward. Great lead guitar work – another Motorpsycho song at their best.
Three further tracks complete the album, of which Three Frightened Monkeys has the potential to become another live favourite, the high standard of the songs continues.
Another marvellous release from Motorpsycho and one that shows their creative streak knows no bounds. I for one hope this trend continues as each new release brings something new accompanied by what one would expect to hear from this band. Motorpsycho will be released on Vinyl, CD and Download and whatever format – well worth investigating.
TRACK LISTING
01. Lucifer, Bringer Of Light (10:48)
02. Laird Of Heimly (3:53)
03. Stanley (Tonight’s The Night) (4:10)
04. The Comeback (4.31)
05. Kip Satie (2:34)
06. Balthazar (11:39)
07. Bed Of Roses (3:19)
08. Neotzar (The Second Coming) (21:07)
09. Core Memory Corrupt (5:38)
10. Three Frightened Monkeys (8:41)
11. Dead Of Winter (5:23)
Total Time – 81:38
MUSICIANS
Bent Sæther – Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Percussion, Mellotron, Synths, Electric Piano, Organ, Omnichord
Hans Magnus Ryan – Electric Guitars, Background Vocals, Piano, Mellotron, Synths
~ With:
Ingvald Vassbø – Drums (1,6,8,10 & 11)
Mari Person – Strings (2)
Reine Fiske – Electric Guitar (3 & 4)
Olaf Olsen – Drums (3 & 4)
Thea Grant – Vocals (8)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Stickman Records | Independent
Country of Origin: Norway
Date of Release: 21st February 2025
