KINGDOM OF OBLIVION

Even for a band like Motorpsycho, I bet it'd be hard to make another album that could live up with an amazing trilogy as good as the Gullvåg trilogy. So, for their 2021 follow up record, the band would release Kingdom Of Oblivion, an album that would be a lot denser than its predecessors, while still trying something new.

What is found on Kingdom Of Oblivion is a lot more rooted in hard rock and heavy psychedelic rock sounds, like Heavy Metal Fruit and The Crucible, though the difference here is that the rock aspects are a lot more focused on here than those two records. What I like about Kingdom Of Oblivion is that it feels like a strong tribute to the old hard rock sounds of the 70s and early 80s with bands like Led Zeppelin, Rush, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath, whilst also paying some homage to the stoner rock scene of groups like Queens Of The Stone Age, Kyuss, Clutch, and Elder. It all feels like this one tribute to all those great bands whilst also keeping in touch with their Norwegian prog rock sound.

I also really like how more rock focused this is compared to other releases. The more heavy prog nature this album composes is quite the treat to my ears, and the more guitar driven pieces like The Waning, The United Debased, and At Empire's End are always a treat to listen to.

However, I feel as though this album doesn't really get those strong strokes of genius their other records deal with for me. While the music on here is good, I don't think there are any really amazing moments found within, or any moments that made me really excited, unlike what could be found on Here Be Monsters or Little Lucid Moments. It feels like the band took a few steps back in terms of musical prowess that, while it definitely has great songs to be found, do not quite hold a candle to some of their masterpieces before.

Despite my critiques, I do think this is a very enjoyable album. Definitely not their best, but not their worst. I think any Motorpsycho record can certainly still be enjoyable, even the ones I am not quite fond of, so if you want some fun hard prog rock music then check this one out.