Czech Death Metal band Hypnos have been going since 1999, releasing three albums before a three year break from 2006. In their time they have supported a number of big-name Death Metal bands and this year they were invited to play at the Brutal Assault festival, so it sounds promising. “Halfway to Hell” is their latest release. On the sleeve, 6 tracks are advertised but there were only 4 on my copy, so I’ll just have to review what I have.
I had half expected something brutal and sludgy but had a pleasant surprise when I heard the first track “Mesmerized”. Yes, it’s brutal and relentless but it moves well too and is actually quite melodic. It’s mesmerizing, even. A neat break interrupts the constancy and instils a bit of extra evil. “Mesmerizing” is punitive and powerful, and interesting in its flow. You can’t ask for more than that.
The remaining three tracks are like a trilogy, running into each other. “Where the Rooks Fly” is edgy and has a real air of danger about it. It then speeds up. It’s as if the guitars are telling a tale. The Black Metal vocals input added menace. This was another captivating track. The continuation of the measured guitar work on “Paranormal Vertigo” suggests impending peril. The vocals have become Blacker and more evil than ever. The guitars remain imperious. It’s controlled and patient, and a fine example of Blackened Death. So it is with “Intraoseal Fibrom”, described on the sleeve as the “glorification of dehydrated tumour”. Nice. Mid-track it stops and engages on a driving Death Metal romp. It’s faster and even harder than we’ve heard. Then it stops, at least on my copy.
This was all too brief and I could have listened to a lot more of this. “Halfway to Hell” is a fine piece of music. It’s performed well, there’s a good variation of styles and the structures are of a very high quality. It’s well worth a listen, I’d suggest.
http://www.myspace.com/hypnoscz
http://www.hypnos.wz.cz
http://www.crystalprod.cz
