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Hypnos: Set Fire To The Sky

Heavy/Blues/Psych Rock

3.5/5.0

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The Sign Records
Released: 28.09.2018
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 26.09.2018

Earlier this year, Hypnos dropped their EP The GBG Sessions with single purpose: to introduce their new vocalist Linus Johansson (Trial). The short disc had him singing some fan favorites, but also introducing two new songs in advance of a new long player. That new studio album, Set Fire To The Sky, has arrived with the Johannsson on the mic and the two new songs on board.

Hypnos

Essentially, Set Fire To The Sky is simply an extension of The GBG Sessions. To paraphrase and plagiarize myself from that previous review, Hypnos offers very guitar-centered, melodic, heavy rock overflowing with generous riffs and blistering solos, underneath a groovy and significant bass line. Then they add stylistic nuances from blues to heavy metal to toe-tapping boogie, ergo their Facebook handle, @Hypnosboogie. The obvious result is that most songs offer an abundance of sharp riffs and a seemingly endless amount of guitar solos, often wrapped in breathless speed. You'll find this with Get Out, Set Fire To The Sky, Ain't No Fool, and the fifth gear racer, Caught In The Night.

For some cleaver nuances, there's the spaghetti western vibe of most interesting Time Is Running Out. Alternatively, there's some long and slow grooving tunes like Deadline, but also the nearly intentionally sluggish and boring Tell Me Goodbye and Slutet. The latter song, while a total put me to sleep tune, is only saved by the subtle blues guitar lines. (To be fair, for some unknown compositional reason, the song gets fast in heavy near the end.)

Honestly, while Set Fire To The Sky can be interesting in some of the tunes, after The GBG Sessions I expected something better and stronger overall. But if you're a Hypnos fan, you may feel differently.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Honestly, while Set Fire To The Sky can be interesting in some of the tunes, after The GBG Sessions I expected something better and stronger overall. But if you're a Hypnos fan, you may feel differently.

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