Flight (review by MMB)

Flight

A Leap Through Matter

release date: November 23rd, 2018

label: High Roller Records

Lieutenant Colonel Kristoffer Bråthen in command of Flight, a Norwegian battalion, has considerable field experience in leading his troops through the perilous territory of modern classic-rock heavy metal, an area sieged on the left by hipster mercenaries and other hostiles whose allegiance is under suspicion, while encircled on the right by the chaotic forces of stoner bandits. The Norwegian battalion was first organized in 2012, and this is their second battle. On their second tour of duty these troops perform exceptionally well under direction of Lt. Col. Bråthen. From the beginning of this battle named A Leap Through Matter, they hit the ground running and ready to take on the targets, showing that their long hours of training are paying off.

The first target is called “Arrival” and it is an instrumental. They set the tone immediately. The cannons sound like real cannons, as they did back in the 1970s. The cymbals are loud and lively, and the sound strong, under the orders of Major Kickan. This assessment must not neglect the skillful work by Major Jonas Bye, whose low-frequency string artillery is a source of strong and steady rhythms in conjunction with Major Kickan. The high-frequency string artillery (under the orders of both the Lt. Col.; and Captain Kristian Ingvaldsen) deploy melodies and the good vibes, and the style of classic-rock heavy metal in a most genuine manner of conduct. If these troops can withstand the duration of the fire, then this will be a successful campaign.

After “Arrival” the question at hand is, what will Lt. Col. Bråthen’s command voice sound like? Will it be appropriate for the battle or will it wither under the stress of the fighting? The first answer is “One with the Sun.” The command voice is melodic singing and the Lt. Col. demonstrates a subtle control of his powers. Not a bark, not an air raid siren, the voice manages to be melodic while sounding human and real, and not too polished nor processed. It sounds remarkably appropriate for this 1970s-inspired engagement. The other highlight of “One with the Sun” is the expert deployment of the string artillery. Big, convincing riffs launched in abundance, and they make contact on the ground easily.

Does the battalion succeed at all times or does it face defeat in some places? Surprisingly, there are no defeats, no surrenders nor any low points at any time during the nine targets in question. The battalion’s movements tend to be uptempo and efficient, in compact swaths of territory conquered, but when the situation calls for different formations the troops are able to adapt very well in order to advance on their line of march. To be perfectly clear on the assessment, this directive takes into account all of the eight targets that comprise this battle, with a duration of 42 minutes and 02 seconds.

Surveying the battle as an overall plan of action, the Lt. Col. and his men have achieved a victory for themselves. They have served their homeland with distinction, and their families should know how these men have acted under the fire of the terrible trends of mercenary-minded and unscrupulous tactics of the retro and hipster rock that is currently a plague on our proud homeland of heavy metal music. How they have survived without succumbing to the pressures of the hipster mercenaries is a mystery, but thrived they have, and we thank them for their service.

Gentlemen of Flight, as you were.

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