Schizophrenia. It's a very real disease and one that has seemed to infected "Narcotica" from Invisogoth. Although this infection seems to have benefited the band more than anything. Invisogoth is a unique band, and "Narcotica" an album that you will remember. Regardless of whether progrock is your preferred cup of tea or not, it is undeniably a refreshing cup of tea, nonetheless.
 
The vocals are handled by Viggo Domino, who sounds a great deal like Threshold crooner Damian Wilson. He has the same free flowing, intensely melodic passion that is the mark of Damian's melty smooth voice. Interestingly enough, all of the music comes from a single musician, simply named Cage and he can't seem to stay in any one mode of operation for long. What you hear is an album of quickly shifting ideas and concepts, that spins through one after the other at a dizzying rate.
 
Blends of symphonic rock, middle eastern touches, smokey jazz themes, technical progressive, melodic metal bits, they all switch and change with the blink of an eye. There are enough concepts here to fill a few albums, much less one, and that makes the disc somewhat of a chore to accomplish listening in a single setting. The shapeshifting usually works in their favor and makes this progressive album one that is endlessly fascinating. Everything is handled with skill and considerable amount of talent.  

The album's most daring complexity is the concept of the "Dark Highway". This makes up roughly half the disc, with Parts I and II coming at the beginning and III and IV bringing to a close. These are the bookends that keep the other five locked into place and are of course, their finest output. Detracting a bit from these four interlocked epics are odd "talky" bits that ramble on instead of help to further immerse one in these swirling waters.
 
Inbetween you get "Shine On", a song that has thick smacking bass, melodic gushing vocals and a change which indulges in a strong middle eastern influence. The guitars are lovely and play like rolling clouds, bubbling stark pure white against a grey washed sky.
"Narcotica" (the song) takes things even further into the depths of the middle east. It works itself into a looping trance, instruments pouring over one another, snaking and scales roughly shedding, like serpents rattling in a snake charmer's basket. The words come tumbling forth, slow and tantalizing, the music stretching and slithering behind.
 
"Scars and Dust" switches between this crazy danceable disco bit that sounds straight out of a 70s dance party into a slithering modern rock section that has fat chords and a crawling pace. It's so quick and lightning, back and forth. In the middle is this powerful building of layered acoustic guitars that take it to Queen like pomp heights, grounded into 60s David Bowie territory ("Space Oddity" strangeness), and this entrancing solo that's in its own completely different world. An absolutely gorgeous breakout for the guitar, the notes ringing pure and true and emotionally perfect. There's also a smattering of Saigon Kick's "Water" in here, another album that was near unclassifiable. "Scars and Dust" is transistional, strange and completely magnificent. "Pornocopia" is a purringly seductive piece that provokes thought, showcases the smokey smooth tones of singer Viggo's voice and sees a turn for a more stable musical setting.  

Two guys, a million ideas and one album. Invisogoth's "Narcotica" has interesting concepts a plenty and an overarching 70s vibe but is an album the listener is forced to try and keep up with. It's not an easy disc, though a rewarding one. Progressive metal was never meant to be an instantaneous delight, but a slow grower that moves like erratically falling snow. A gentle drift into the atmospheres and textures of the presentation. "Narcotica" delivers in those aspects, and becomes an even more amazing journey than their debut "Alcoholocaust" was. A must investigate piece for those searching to fill in a void that craves something uniquely different. 

Written by Alanna
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
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Ratings

Alanna: 7/10

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