A Dark Poem, Part III: The Messiah Complex

Since their first journey into the night more than 25 years ago, Green Carnation have never shied away from a challenge. Had the Norwegians never returned from hiatus during the mid-2000s, they would always be remembered for completing one of the most ambitious individual epics in metal’s historic archives. However, there was one tale – or three, to be exact – that eluded them until now. After reaching crushing highs and delving into their deepest and darkest depths, the prog bards bring their epic album trilogy to an uncompromising conclusion on A Dark Poem, Part III: The Messiah Complex.   While Part I and Part II left fans and critics more than satisfied, Part III arrives as the missing key to A Dark Poem. Whereas The Shores of Melancholia and Sanguis showcased Green Carnation’s command of metal, rock and folk, The Messiah Complex ties together the story of Arthur Rimbaud’s Ophelia with rich strokes of prog. The album’s cup overflows with riffs that evoke King Crimson’s majesty and the ghostly reverence of Opeth with every rhythmic maze-like twist and turn. Just don’t get too lost in the pitch-perfect chorus of lead single “Unconditional Artificial Chemistry”.  The collective anxiety over encroaching technology, power-hungry leaders and social division that stirred below the surface of Part I and Part II surges to a head on The Messiah Complex. “The urge to believe / Must be human”, vocalist Kjetil Nordhus wonders amidst the title track’s many mysteries. The divide runs so deep that it almost appears impassable on “Broken Souls, Common Enemies” were it not for a guitar solo that is, without a doubt, one of the highest of high points in the trilogy’s arc.  Of course, no final chapter would be complete without an epic finale. In keeping with the prevailing mood of Green Carnation’s discography, Part III of A Dark Poem does not end happily. But The Messiah Complex truly saves the best for last. In classic prog fashion, its orchestral suite is the veteran journeyman at their boldest. Over 16 minutes, the band ties the story of Arthur Rimbaud’s Ophelia together by weaving in themes from across the trilogy with help of the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra and Opera Choir. To the very last dark and doomy note, the results are resounding.            With A Dark Poem, Part III: The Messiah Complex, Green Carnation finish a masterpiece that stands alongside Light of Day, Day of Darkness as the defining statement of their storied career.   

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