Short Reviews [Infringement - 2024 - "Black Science and White Lies"]

This is the third album by Oslo-based progressive rock quintet Infringement, but it is the first time I have come across them although based on this I see I need to find out more. The idea of forming this project stems back to November 2015 when guitarist Stig Andre Clason (guitar, backing vocals), drummer Kristoffer Utby and singer Hans Andreas Brandal met for the first time. Clason was, and still is, a member of The Windmill, and those who have come across that band's latest album, "Mindscapes" will know that Utby is now drummer in that outfit as well. The line-up is completed by Bard Thorstensen (keyboards, backing vocals)and Emil Olsen (bass, baritone horn, backing vocals). Having seen some photos of the band in performance it is obvious that the music and words are just part of what they deliver as they are also a very visual band with the use of masks and costumes and are quite unusual in that all three albums to date have been concepts and all are set in the same universe so although the albums have quite different storylines they are somewhat tied together. This one follows a man's journey through faith, identity, and redemption. Raised under strict religious doctrines in a society that believes in divine salvation, he becomes disillusioned and abandons his faith. Running away from home, he embraces a new ideology and joins a seemingly perfect society. However, he also gets disillusioned with his new situation so escapes and returns to his father, seeks redemption, and returns to the beliefs he once abandoned. This is a story that many who were raised inside a religious environment can relate to as while plenty stay true to their faith there are many others who leave for multiple reasons. In turn some of those return, some look for spiritual guidance in other areas while, yet others decide following any god or gods is not for them. Whatever the final outcome, it can certainly be a traumatic experience which is never simple and musically the band capture all the drama as they take us on an emotional roller-coaster. This is modern neo prog with riffing guitars that sometimes move us into prog metal, yet we can also be led by delicate guitars with a drummer who is happy to provide shuffles as he is full on menace and attack and a bassist who follows his own melodies to bring in additional threads or sits back and locks it all down. The use of synthesised instruments to bring in some orchestral notes here and there are particularly effective, while the keyboards can be modern or all the way back to the Sixties with a fat organ sound allowing the band to broaden their musical palette, and then at the front we have a master singer. Brandal is one of those singers who is happy performing in multiple styles, utilising his skills to ensure the themes from the music are carried through to the ultimate conclusion. He has a wonderfully clear style and the band's use of harmonies are very important, so much so that Stian Delbekk Johansen guests on backing vocals and in their live performances. This is a highly dramatic and polished album, which for me is a wonderful introduction to the world of Infringement. They have taken a deep and somewhat dark storyline, going through the emotions of the journey as the lost sheep returns to the flock, and have brought it to life in a way which is thoroughly enjoyable and full of passion. Powerful stuff indeed.