Infringement – Alienism
Infringement is another new find on CDBaby.com. They are part of the new generation of progressive rock bands from Oslo, Norway. “The band came together on a cold November evening in 2015, when Stig André Clason, Kristoffer Utby and Hans Andreas Brandal all met for the first time, to drink whiskey and discuss the idea of forming a new band.”
In the spring of 2016, Espen Larsen joined the band on bass. Shortly thereafter, they wrote their debut, concept album, Transition. “Released in May 2017, Transition follows the development of a local society through the last couple of centuries. Focusing on one family across different generations, seen through the eyes of an anthropomorphic house”. A very interesting concept, that I am now interested to hear after listening to this album
To mix and master their sophomore album, they brought in the famous, Karl Groom, and the result was the psychological concept album Alienism.
Infringement is: Hans Andreas Brandal, on vocal; Stig André Clason, on lead guitars; Bård Thorstensen, on keyboards; Espen Larsen, on bass; and Kristoffer Utby, on drums.
Alienism, is a concept album designed and framed around an imagined mental health institute. The Gentmire Institute for the criminally insane. It is run by the Commissioner in Lunacy, Finn Gentmire. In this concept album, four “patients”, are examined for their abnormalities. David Tickner – the obsessive – compulsive; Veronica Emmet – Full of Machiavellianism and narcissism; John Doe – “The Prophet”; and Josef Karnowski – with split personality disorder. The music and lyrics of this album cover their lives and delusions with powerful music.
“Disorder”,
opens with bells and soft acoustic guitar. Like a stroll back in time to
childhood, or the unfolding of a story…walking down the pathway to enter The Gentmire Institute.
Then deep bass, followed by keys. The charging drums enter before the power of
full, IQ-like lead electric guitars. Hans Andreas Brandal’s sings his first
vocals, “I know you got the urge to scratch that itch”. He sounds a little like
Diego Marchesi, of Kingcrow, mixed well with
Jeoff Tate of Queensryche.
The song then sets up multiple dichotomies lyrically. For example, “Bring a drunk to the barroom and ask him not to drink. Bring the wise a question and ask him not to think. Bring a soldier to a conflict and ask him not to fight”. All along they are playing wonderful deep IQ like guitars, but it’s the keyboards that get me. Bård Thorstensen’s keyboards simply bring the thunder that Martin Orford used to bring to IQ. Those deep swarming keys that surround your ears. An excellent opening.
“Triad”, opens with organ like keys and more wonderful acoustic guitar, before deep bass and drums. Brandal’s vocals are deeper than most lead vocalists in this genre. On this song I am hearing more Jeoff Tate. The swirling keyboards and the powerful lead electric guitars are overwhelming! The shouting is powerful, but I think unnecessary. He has a great voice without the need to shout. The music and melody are great and remind me of a good combination of Fish – era Marillion mixed with mid-career IQ. The round of singing is a wonderful add. They are fomenting a full storm against vanity and ethnocentrism in the world, the likes of which we have not seen in a while. A wonderful song that you just don’t want to end.
Then whistling! Like a return to Supertramp’s “Asylum”, or even better yet Peter Gabriel, off “Game Without Frontiers”. Perfect timing. A childish whistle. Then Brandal rips out wonderful lyrics describing the patient and every horrible ethnocentric actor on the world stage, with such psychiatric venom; that I thought only a wonderful wordsmith like Fish, was capable of summoning up to bear. One of the greatest moments on this album. “I will do what it takes to fix you!” Then, of course laughter. One of the best songs of the year! And we are only halfway through!
“Therapy”, is a mostly instrumental track full of excellent lead electric guitar, excellent keyboards, rolling drums and buzzing bass. Brandal brings the full Jeoff Tate to bear when he sings, “Few electrons shy…Smiling babies make you cry. A few beads short of a rosary, need therapy”. He really does a great job. An escapism perfect for someone in therapy. The music reminds of the height of power IQ used inspire and achieve.
On “Delirium”, Brandal sings, “An addict down on his life. His heart was at strife. Lost both kids and his wife”. A rough go for sure. But the music is just so wonderful. The melody and golden keyboards, bass and lead electric guitar, sounding bright and new again, in the hands of younger, more driven musicians. Those wonderful soaring guitars. This song is the powerhouse closer for a short but excellent four-track album.
Alienism was mixed and mastered by the famous Karl Groom. The artwork and photography was completed by Kristine Clason. Artwork, artwork concept and graphic design were produced by Stig Andre Clason. Arild Breter plays glokenspeil on “Disorder”. Clive Nolen produced orchestral arrangements and sounds on “Delirium”. Morton Clason plays flute on “Delirium”.
This is one of my favorite albums of the year already. Please give this band a chance. Infringement’s Alienism is easily one my best finds of the year. Please do not this slip by before the year is out. I am going back for the debut. Gotta hear it and keep the collection complete. This band is a keeper. They will be back with something even bigger I am certain!
Track List
- Disorder – 7:58
- Triad – 10:38
- Therapy – 4:37
- Delirium – 16:37
https://infringement.bandcamp.com/
https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/Infringement
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl7VIqwJZcVJSY-2qlM_Mvw