Hypno5e have been blending melodies and metaphors since around 2007 and have established themselves as a premier act in the post-metal space. I personally think that they have been severely underrated their entire career, especially after releasing some genuinely fantastic albums such as Acid Mist Tomorrow, and A Distant (Dark) Source. Throughout all of their albums they combine a wide range of musical styles and genres from post-metal and progressive rock to ambient and progressive movements. There isn’t anyone quite like Hypno5e in the world of heavy music. To that end, the time has come to unveil their new album, Sheol, which will be released on February 24 by our friends at Pelagic.
‘In the Hebrew Bible, Sheol is the place where all souls meet after their death, to remain in silence and to turn to dust once more,’ explains main songwriter Emmanuel Jessua about the album title. This is the dark and distant source that was referenced in the band’s previous album. These two albums are symbiotic and from a thematic as well as sonic perspective, it’s not difficult to see that. Sheol is made up of several suites and movements that interlock across the album’s eight tracks, with each idea being handed off to the next with panache. There’s something about the way Hypno5e composes that sends me personally into a place that few bands can. The use of strings, rhythmic synthesizers, melodic and harsh vocals, and the percussive rhythm section all add up to some of the most bombastic and cathartic music that one is likely to hear. A prime example of this is the backbone of sorts to Sheol, “Bone Dust”. While sitting around 10 minutes, this track is a bit of a gateway song that showcases just how intricate their song structures are without becoming overly self-indulgent.
A hallmark of Hypno5e is the ability to stack layer after layer of textures onto a song. “Tauca – Part I – Another” sees this done in a more subtle way with acoustic guitars and harmonized vocals taking up most of the space on the song, and quite a gorgeous one at that. It pivots nicely into “Lava From the Sky” which sees the immaculate swells of instrumentation grow from the seeds planted by the song that precedes it. This sort of thinking and arrangement creates a dynamic flow that feels organic and meaningful. Simplistic melodies erupt into complex angular riffing along with a stagger drum performance by newcomer Pierre Rettien. There’s a lot to absorb from this album as it zigs and zags to its dramatic conclusion.
The magnum opus – if I may use the term – of Sheol is “The Dreamer and His Dream.” From the drone-inspired neoclassical introduction to the post-metal assault that follows, this 12-minute song is a veritable microcosm of what this band is capable of and one of their most impressive compositions to date. “Slow Streams of Darkness” parts 1 and 2 close out the album with the same passion that it opened in a dense explosion of fiery post-metal. As stated before, there’s nothing quite like a Hypno5e song, and Sheol has eight powerful compositions that will stir the emotions of anyone who listens. There’s something here for everyone and it all works together seamlessly. This is another stellar album by a band that has been consistent for over a decade and will no doubt be one of the band’s crowning moments. My hope, as always, that this album will help the band reach new ears and new heights.
Without further ado, here is the full album stream for Sheol by the magnificent Hypno5e. Don’t forget to pre-order the album and give the band a follow on Instagram and Facebook.
