Hypnos - The Whitecrow (2017)

Many writers have imagined what an apocalypse could look like – some imagine a grim future with a “to hell with others” approach, while others imagine people banding together and sharing skills. HYPNOS has gone with a grim apocalypse story, where people are always cruel towards each other and looking to take advantage of others. Featuring members of KRABATHOR, the band sets out to tell a story of the Whitecrow. The spoken-word opening track had a sort of EDGELORD feel to it, but it did manage to set things up well for the sinister acoustic track “Towards Humanity”. Their brand of death metal is straight-up mid-tempo stuff, but this serves as a good foundation upon which to add other elements, such as the acoustic guitars, keyboard effects, and gritty female vocals from guest musician Zuzana Lípová. Lead vocalist Bruno gives a varied vocal performance, and is equally capable at chilling growls and clean vocals.

HYPNOS have created a body of death metal work which shows that threatening, lingering music can be just as attention-grabbing as more explosive sorts of death metal. While the lyrical content is melancholy, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of the Whitecrow – a mysterious figure who may be humanity’s only hope. “The Whitecrow” is a brooding death/doom track with some interesting tempo changes, and spry lead guitar work from Vlasa. I wouldn’t have minded if the album ended at or just after “About Trust / The Anatomy of Empathy” - it’s a definite highlight of the album for me. Bruno’s bass work is rich and adds to the brooding atmosphere, the guitar work is entertaining without being ostentatious, and Pegas brings out some interesting drum fills. Unfortunately, I feel that some of the material could have been trimmed, since things start to drag a little towards the end. The mix is also quite loud, which isn’t desirable on an album with various instruments and countermelodies, which all need breathing space.

“The Whitecrow” is an interesting listen, despite its small flaws, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for death metal with a dash of doom and melodic elements. Having released their previous album five years ago, the latest effort is a good comeback, and bodes well for even stronger future material.

Tracklist:
01. Hypnos - Prologue (0:58)
02. Hypnos - Towards Humanity (2:16)
03. Hypnos - The Whitecrow (4:31)
04. Hypnos - One Flesh, One Blood (5:54)
05. Hypnos - Get Inspired by the Light / Discipline of Self-Treatment (5:07)
06. Hypnos - Sin Collectors (3:58)
07. Hypnos - Haereticum Minuet / Rebels Dancing (2:22)
08. Hypnos - The Gift of Hope (5:00)
09. Hypnos - About Trust / The Anatomy of Empathy (4:54)
10. Hypnos - Der Mordschlag / Germanophobe II (3:29)
11. Hypnos - Epilogue (0:23)
12. Hypnos - Too Dark to Shine / Too Young to Die (7:55)
13. Hypnos - Humanized (2:59)