DEMON BOX

The duo of Bent Saether and Hans Magnus Ryan have been the consistent force behind Motorpsycho from 1990, when they formed, to present day. By the time they released their 3rd album "Demon Box" in 1993, they had already established their foothold in Norwegian stoner rock, and long-timer Hakon Gabhardt had already become a staple in the band and would be until 2005. However, this trio would stretch out Motorpsycho's usual stoner sound to include some interesting folkish elements and even the occasional foray into progressive sounds even as early as this.

Many of Motorpsycho's early albums were kind of hit or miss, and their desire to try out several different styles of music led to some great albums and some more average sounding albums. "Demon Box" was one of their stronger early albums, and still sounds great, even with their penchant to wander to new territory, but they still mixed in their stoner and heavy sound, even adding that touch of psychedelia to the sound.

"Demon Box" can be found in the CD version that omits 3 tracks that were on the vinyl version in order to fit it all on one disc. In 2014, the album was reissued on both vinyl and CD with a lot more additional tracks and surprises. This review is for the orginal CD version. The extra tracks that can be found on the original vinyl version can also be found on various EPs that the band has released.

Right from the beginning, you see them trying something new by starting the album out with a more traditional sounding "Waiting for the One", then moving on to what would seem like a mellow track "Nothing to Say", but infusing it with heavy and solid guitar riffs that punch through, and Saether's gruff vocals returning at various times through the track. But, it isn't until the 3rd track that the heavy stoner sound comes back full force on "Feedtime". This one packs the solid and heavy punch that the fans of the time were familiar with. The next track mixes in heavy doses of psychedelic sound with the heavy, guitar-laden rock with a more progressive leaning. Then "Tuesday Morning" takes us back to a softer, more acoustic heavy sound. Psychedelic effects whirl around between the speakers in the background messing around with your head. It's a very nice and trippy track best experienced with headphones.

"All is Loneliness" stays with the acoustic sound, but plays with various vocal layers layered out in a "round" format, while a drone plays in the background and light psychedelic guitar wails behind it all. The use of one chord throughout the track gives the perfect sound of a space rock bliss out, but then loud, thumping drums come in along with the twang of a sitar. This is the only track not written by the band, as such, it is written by Moondog. "Come On In" is a more subdued track which only consists of vocals and acoustic guitar. "Step Inside Again" goes for a spooky whispered vocal, starts with a bassy synth, but that drops out to a simple plucking guitar playing a repeated pattern. It's all quite eerie.

All of the tracks up to this point have moved around in different styles giving the album a lot of variety, but staying cohesive with Motorpsycho's attitude. The tracks have been staying at just over 5 minutes or less. The next track finally exceeds the 17 minute mark, the title track "Demon Box". Thick, heavy and dark guitars bass and drums come riding in on a slow and grungy riff that will make your speakers and floorboards shake. Those familiar gruff vocals return and you know you have entered back into a stoner rock meltdown. Some dirty vocals are involved here also. You'll ride on these waves of riffage for a while before the music breaks down and goes into a noisy collage of synth effects, rolling bass and screeching and wailing of tortured guitars and other effects. There is no rhythm during this nightmarish section as you get swallowed up in this until suddenly after the 11 minute mark when out of nowhere, everything just starts crashing along on the solid and slow riffs again with vocals eventually returning and the last few minutes burn away with a drone and effects and subdued violin music. Most bands would just let it go at that, but Motorpsycho still wasn't finished.

"Babylon" speeds up the stoner rock sound with a much faster track, but staying with a heavy dirty sound. This heaviness continues with "Junior", but with a sound that isn't quite as thick, somewhere between heavy metal and pop almost, very alternative sounding, like Matthew Sweet or Dinosaur Jr. "Plan #1" begins with pensive guitar layers and spoken word from field recordings. This soon gets buried in thick guitar and bass and slow, solid drums. Even with all of this, you can still hear a bright, tonal percussion tapping along. It all mellows out when the vocals start, remaining dark and bass heavy, and then adding the thick sound back in later. There is an unsettling layering of clean and dirty vocals before it enters into a very rousing cyclone of loud and solid guitar crunchiness. The music follows that pattern again when the spoken vocals return and the music rebuilds. Excellent track! "Sheer Profundity" is a heavy rocking riff machine, mostly instrumental except for some screaming and spoken lyrics. "The One Who Went Away" is still heavy, but smoother and more traditionally rock oriented, at least until the end when things get a bit maniacal.

I love this album that on the first half is mostly softer and acoustic, but not completely, while the 2nd half will melt your ears. This is one that my wife or the neighbors don't like, so I have to wear headphones, but that's okay because you can hear and taste it all so much better that way anyway. The ragged edges are just perfect on this album and is also what helps make it so awesome, but that is the best way to have your stoner rock. But this is so much more than that. Even this early on, you hear some forays into the progressive spectrum, probably even enough to make all progheads happy. Fair warning though, if you don't like your music loud and heavy, then you should stay away. If that doesn't bother you, then by all means, get this album. No, it's not perfect, but I love it anyway. This album helped establish Motorpsycho as one of the most important bands to come from Norway. If you have heard the more progressive albums that the band has put out to date, then you still owe it to yourself to hear this to see what else the band can do. It's only 4 stars because it isn't as progressive as some of their more recent albums. But it is still excellent.