MORON POLICE: Pachinko!

[KingsGene]

Moron Police update on new "sprawling concept" album​

"... The band, who recently released their latest EP The Stranger And The High Tide have revealed their next full-length album will be a sprawling concept affair which is tentatively titled Pachinko.

Things are not set in stone, as far as Pachinko is concerned, but we can divulge that there will be at least TWO 10-minute epics included, a weird concept story, a heavier sound, a softer sound, a more technical sound—generally speaking, it will be one heck of a ride. It will be the most ambitious thing we’ve ever done or attempted, and if we fail, we intend to fail gloriously. We hope you’ll be along for the ride!

..."

Moron Police release first single “Pachinko, Pt.1,” from the upcoming album… Pachinko!​

"... Set to return with their first collection of new music since The Stranger and the Hightide EP (2021), Moron Police have dropped the new single “Pachinko”- twelve minutes of non-stop action, weird and catchy stuff, a romp of epic proportions that will leave you intrigued, confused, and happy.

After the untimely death of their friend and drummer, Thore Omland Pettersen, Moron Police could have thrown in the towel. But fortunately, they decided to carry on. Enlisting the help of renowned drummer Billy Rymer (The Dillinger Escape Plan), they set out to create a behemoth of weirdness and catchy tunes…and they did!

The first evidence of their shenanigans is the single you now hold in your digital hands.

Frontman Sondre Skollevoll about the song:

It’s a 12-minute long bastard of a song that we hope will excite you, as we build towards the release of our new album!

This is the third song I wrote for the album, and it has a special place in my very heart of hearts, simply because the whole thing appeared (riffs, structure and vocal melody) at once. Out of nothing.

Now, that’s usually how I write music. I fiddle with an instrument and stuff happens. But this is the first time a song of this length and magnitude has popped into existence for me. So, I was very excited at the time, and I am very excited to now be able to share it with all of you–no matter the reception (although the reception has been great!)

Usually, the songs I write tend to have a political side to them. This, however, is a concept album, so there’s not too much of it this time around.

I sort of lamented this a bit during the process of recording/mixing, as there’s such a mindbogglingly amount of terrible shit happening around the world that I would certainly like to comment on it. Aggressively.
But the insane amount of suffering we see daily now, in 4K, no less, is overwhelming. And at this point I think some weird ass prog metal from Norway might better serve as a small distraction from the hells of the earth, than another hat thrown into the political ring. For now.

All this to say: we hope you like this weird song and that it finds you well, wherever you are out there.

..."

Posted 6 days ago on the band's Facebook page:

It's finally out.
It's finally done.

Pachinko is released!

It's hard to not get a bit emotional about this album and everything surrounding it.
Some of these songs have been around since 2016.

The last song written for the album was “Cormorant”, written on January 16th, 2022. The day after Thore died.

This album, as well as that song, is for him.

There are many references to him scattered around the album, both musically and lyrically. Some you might discover, and some are only for us to know.
However, you can still hear him on the last drum fill on the very last song on the album. The last 15 seconds of the album is Thore. The snare hit that
ends the entire album is Thore’s.

We hope we were able to honor his memory and do him proud.
We miss him more than words could ever express.

This album would never have been possible if not for the insane talent of Billy Rymer stepping in to save us in Thore’s absence.
The same must be said of Mike Watts and Frank Mitaritonna who both connected us with Billy and mixed/mastered the album.

And, of course, all the other people who helped make this album as good as it could be: William Grøv Skramsett and Morten Norheim on brass, Claudia Cox and Marius Westling on violin, with recording help from Eivind Strømstad (of MEER), our silly friend Simen Hallset and his soaring voice and all the other people who took the time to help us.

Our gratitude is eternal. Truly.

And now it’s out there, wherever you listen to music.
If you want to purchase it, Bandcamp is good. Physical version later (hopefully).

Thank you for listening.

Love
Moron Police.

 

[KingsGene]

Prog Report review

The Progressive Subway review

Mini review from PPUSA promoter Glenn's Top 50 Albums of 2025 :

More irreverant & light hearted fun from the weirdos of prog rock. The spirit of Freak Kitchen is present, but the melodies are far more toe tappin.

 

[KingsGene]