The Death Defying Unicorn
Motorpsycho · 2012
71 min · 13 tracks · progressive rock
A sprawling progressive rock odyssey that intertwines intricate melodies with heavy, atmospheric soundscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Into the Gyre — This track exemplifies the album's adventurous spirit with its lengthy, immersive progression and rich sonic textures that shift seamlessly throughout.
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Oh, Proteus – A Prayer — Combining lush instrumentation with contemplative lyrics, this piece captures the thematic depth of the album while showcasing the band's dynamic range.
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Mutiny! — This song stands out for its driving rhythm and powerful crescendo, serving as a pivotal moment within the album's narrative arc.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate compositions and dynamic shifts, solidifying its place in progressive rock.
What we noticed
- The album features multiple extended tracks, with several exceeding eight minutes, allowing for complex musical developments.
- There are frequent shifts in tempo and dynamics, with sections transitioning from heavy instrumentation to quieter, more atmospheric passages.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- sprawling journeys through soundscapes
- meditative moments with orchestral textures
- intense grooves for deep focus
- cathartic explorations of emotional depth
- dynamic shifts between tranquility and
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, immediate gratification
- avoid lengthy, immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Represents an ambitious return to orchestral style, showcasing complex compositions.
- Career context
- Released on February 10, 2012, The Death Defying Unicorn marked Motorpsycho's return to a more ambitious and orchestral style after their previous album, Heavy Metal Fruit. This album followed their exploration of more straightforward rock sounds and showcased a resurgence in their experimental tendencies, solidifying their status as pioneers in the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Mars Volta· Porcupine Tree· Opeth
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Out of the Woods 2:40
- 2 The Hollow Lands 7:36
- 4 Through the Veil, Part II 5:37
- 5 Doldrums 2:30
- 6 Into the Gyre 9:50
- 7 Flotsam 1:30
Disc 2
- 1 Oh, Proteus – A Prayer 7:35
- 2 Sculls in Limbo 2:19
- 3 La Lethe 6:46
- 4 Oh, Proteus – A Lament 2:12
- 5 Sharks 7:53
- 6 Mutiny! 8:32
- 7 Into the Mystic 6:56
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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