Infringement - BLACK SCIENCE AND WHITE LIES - 2024
“... the third album from infringement ...”
intro
After the Norwegian band Infringement made a crushing impression at the German prog festival 'Night of The Prog' in the year 2022 and I was already introduced to the music of these guys by purchasing their albums 'Transition' (2017) and 'Alienism' (2019), I was eagerly awaiting their third album. The wait is finally over and the band now comes with a successor to their sublime album 'Alienism'. The album has been given the name 'Black Science and White Lies'. The theme of the album 'Black Science and White Lies' follows a man's journey through faith, identity, and redemption. Lead vocalist Hans Andreas Brandal is responsible for all lyrics. Although there is a connection with the band The Windmill in terms of band members and family, the music of these young musicians is completely different. In addition to the influences of the symphonic prog from the seventies, the band often uses complex time signatures. Add to this the theatrical and frequently intense performance of vocalist Hans Andreas Brandal and the narrative elements, and you have an innovative band that has already developed its own style and sound.
line-up
Hans Andreas Brandal - lead vocal; Stig André Clason - guitars and vocal; Kristoffer Utby - drums and vocal; Bård Thorstensen - keyboards and vocal; Emil Olsen - bass, baritone and vocals
Guest: Stian Delbekk Johansen - Backing vocals
review
The album 'Black Science and White Lies' consists of two long suites, each longer than twenty minutes. Of course, these two suites are each composed of parts that have their own title. We start with the five-part 'White Lies'. Part 1 'Doctrine' (2:11) is a good example of the use of narrative elements. Accompanied by a sparse but spooky and mysterious musical setting (mainly keyboards), the story is presented in an intense way. Then the uptempo intro of Part 2 'Debasement' (5:17) blasts out of your speakers. Soon the tempo is slightly lowered to give space to singer Hans Andreas Brandal who has a very theatrical way of singing. Musically, a lot is happening, rhythm changes, broad keyboard parts, intriguing guitar injections and a wonderful rhythm section with fantastic drumming by Kristoffer Utby. On the album 'Mindscapes' by The Windmill he plays a bit more subdued and for the compositions of that band, but now he regularly goes completely wild. If I tell you that he is very charmed by the style of master drummer Simon Phillips, you might get an idea. The music of this part is quite busy and hectic, but at the end the band slows down and follows a part with acoustic guitar, piano and delicate keyboard playing, which seamlessly transitions into part 3 'Apostasy' (3:30). Here you will find, in addition to the fine rhythm section, also beautiful melodic guitar work and passionately recited lyrics. The band ties the different parts together nicely, here at the end the tempo increases again and the music becomes a bit more hectic, working towards the transition to part 4 'Devolution' (5:02). Musically speaking, this mainly instrumental part is one of the highlights of this fine album. Great bass work by Emil Olsen, the fat Hammond organ parts by keyboardist Bård Thorstensen, the prog metal-like guitar parts by guitarist Stig André Clason and last but not least the fantastic drumming by drummer Kristoffer Utby. What a great part this is. The last and fifth part 'Heresy' (4:08) gives a nod to the work of Gentle Giant through the polyphonic vocal opening. Furthermore, it is a very varied part (there is even a prog metal part) that slowly builds up to a climax in terms of intensity. The suite 'White Lies' is an intriguing epic in which the band Infringement develops further but also retains their own style. In part 4 you can even hear the melody of the whistling singer again. Connoisseurs of the album 'Alienism' will certainly recognize this.
The second suite is called 'Black Science' and opens with the first part 'Vacillation' (5:30). The first part is melodic with a nice Hammond organ and beautiful melodic guitar work. But slowly the music becomes more intense. Before the vocals come in, those intense and uptempo parts alternate with the more melodic parts. In Part 2 'Conjugation' (3:43) the intensity of the music is also quietly built up to a kind of climax that ends in a beautiful quiet transition with delicate vocals. The short part 3 'Evolution' (2:54) has beautiful melodies and refined piano playing before the music in the opening of part 4 'Crimson Skies' (3:02) becomes more uptempo and hectic. The title says it all, threatening atmospheres with musically some influences from King Crimson. But that doesn't last long because the band just as easily switches back to a fresh synth melody and delicate piano playing. Then that threatening atmosphere returns with those King Crimson influences. The band has succeeded in switching back and forth in terms of atmospheres. A personal highlight for me. Part 5 'Dissension' (4:13) is also one of the stronger songs for me. That said, this album is a consistent whole and has no weaker songs. 'Dissension' has a quiet build-up and a climax is worked towards again. The vocal parts are often melodic. Certainly when a melodic guitar and full keyboard part are added at the end. It seamlessly transitions into the last and sixth part 'Redemption' (3:36) in which a climax is worked towards again. This is a worthy end to a suite that has more melodic parts than the first suite, which is sometimes a bit hectic in terms of atmosphere.
conclusion
Because I wrote the reviews for the new albums of The Windmill and Infringement right after each other, you can clearly hear the difference in musical style. Where The Windmill moves in the more melodic part of the prog scene with many references to the music of the seventies, the music of Infringement is often more complex, hectic and innovative. This third album of the band shows the best of both worlds. The band convinces with a consistent album without weak moments. 'White Lies' has more of those hectic parts with many rhythm changes and uptempo parts than the 'Black Science' suite. The band has developed a kind of trademark with theatrical singing and narrative elements. And I can't emphasize it enough, these young and talented musicians of Infringement have a fantastic drummer in the person of Kristoffer Utby in their ranks. 'Black Science and White Lies' is an album that you have to listen to more than once before it shows its true beauty. If you don't know the band yet, this album may be a surprising introduction for you.