HYPOCRISY „Virus”

Music: Death Metal
Country: Sweden
Website: http:// www.hypocrisy.tv
Duration: 44.31


Cool Songs: Warpath, Craving For Another Killing, Incised Before I’ve Ceased, Blooddrenched, Scrutinized

The first exposure I had of the new Hypocrisy album was its simply jaw dropping artwork. Talk about setting the listener up in the most positive fashion. How good is it folks? I’ve always been a fan of Pete Tagtgren’s Alien/Abduction themes that, aside from a couple of rest periods, have been a constant throughout his career. 2004’s ‘The Arrival’ was nice return to form after the somewhat controversial ‘Catch 22’ and its artwork, lyrical themes was something that recalled the mighty ‘Abducted’ disc of 1996. With ‘Virus’ that feeling is a whole lot more disturbing and sinister and you know that musically, things are going to be on the same sort of level. Welcome to Hypocrisy’s best album in at least six years.

Up until the release of ‘Catch 22’, you could almost guarantee that Hypocrisy would deliver the goods; Every time. However, even before then, particularly on their self titled album of 1999 you had the feeling that Hypocrisy were becoming a little too predictable with their variation of style. Either brutal/fast death metal with touches of melodic harmonising or slower/mid-tempo emotive laden epics built on a Pink Floydian/Anathema style ethic. ‘Catch 22’ became even more experimental in this regard (almost nu-metallish in fact) – the band caught some massive flack for this too – and with ‘The Arrival’, although it was tad more typical in terms of the Hypocrisy sound, the truth is it still fell short of the mark compared to their earlier, more stellar moments. So, what’s a couple of blemishes over a ten album career? Pete Tagtgren might not agree with such as assessment, hell, he might have cause to be fairly pissed with it, but if he has learnt from his last two efforts, ‘Virus’ is a massive retort.

Right from the get-go (ignoring the pointless sixteen seconds lead intro), ‘Virus’ simply pulverises with that oh so recognisable ‘Tagtgren’ production. Speed and brutal walls of riffery is the sole aim of ‘Warpath’ and it sets the album up magnificently. There is only one or two distinct moments on ‘Virus’ where Hypocrisy allow the listener to draw breath – and the variation is most welcome – but really if there is any description that helps, clearly with ‘Virus’, a return to the faster, thrashier blackened death vibe of yesteryear is apparent. But of course, Tagtgren is at pains to make certain that this won’t be viewed as a simply ‘retro’ affair. Oh no, everything on ‘Virus’ – the progressive riff ideas, melodic phrasing and vocalising – sounds immediate, fresh and as powerful as ever. Long time partner in crime, bassist Mikael Hedlund clearly has a fair bit to do with this, however I’m betting that the addition of new guitarist Andres Holma (who seems to add a whole new shred factor to this album) and drummer Reider Horghagen (Horgh – formerly of Immortal) are key elements also. In fact based on his past, the faster, darker and blacker feel of ‘Virus’ probably has more to do with Horgh than anyone else.

Probably the most overwhelming element of ‘Virus’ is its sound. And yes, we all know just what a genius Tagtgren is at getting that immensely powerful guitar production and super, mega heavy bottom end, but this is something else. And because stylistically this album is a much more aggressive and meaner affair, the production has been suited to fit. In this sense ‘Virus’ is devoid of the cleaner, melodic vision on their mid period to latter albums. It’s harsh and monstrously brutal yet simply jaw dropping its overt clarity and precision.

‘Virus’ in no way finds Hypocrisy breaking their well established mould. There are some more complex and progressively inspired guitar components, but really this is more about Hypocrisy re-discovering what they do best. The faster speed, more aggressive tone is a welcome return for me, and while I do have a problem with a couple of tracks, this is by far the best thing they’ve put together in a long while. Faith revitalized!

note: Quote: 8.5

Tracklist

Intro
Warpath
Scrutinized
Fearless
Craving For Another Killing
Let The Knife Do The Talking
A Thousand Lies
Incised Before I’ve Ceased
Blooddrenched
Compulsive Psychosis
Living To Die

Line-up

Peter Tägtgren – Vocals & Guitar
Andreas Holma – Guitars
Mikael Hedlund – Bass
Horgh – Drums