HYPERION “Elysia”

Willowtip Records, November 6, 2026

Genre: Melodic Black/Death Metal
Website: https://www.hyperion.nu
Duration: 71.31
Country: Sweden
Cool Songs: “Paraphrosynia,” “Epic of Tribulation,” “The Primordial Wellspring”

Swedish Melodic Black/Death Metal outfit, HYPERION present their second full-length album, “Elysia.”  The said album is the follow up to their debut, “Seraphical Euphony,” released a decade ago. The group changed record labels from Black Lion to Willowtip.

“Elysia” is an ambitious effort in its 70-plus-minute run time. Minus a couple of instrumental tracks, many of the songs have a long running time such as “Paraphrosynia” (12:40) and the aptly titled “Epic of Tribulation” (10:58). These songs weigh in at lengthy times because there are a lot of changes. Each song is like a short story with many parts. Some of these parts focus on ferocious speed, while others feature lush melodies. Often these melodic sections provide a bridge, an intro or outro or an instrumental track. “Rapturous Overture” opens the album with a majestic symphony that sounds like it could fit the theme music to a Batman movie. Keys add atmosphere and layers throughout the album, standing alone or intertwined with the other instruments. The same can be said about their use of acoustic guitars as heard on tracks such as the bridge on “Fides Novem” or the hard strumming beginning of “Epoch’s Eventide.”

Often the guitars mesh with lush melodies. In other sections the guitar play is extreme. The style mostly stays in the realms of symphonic and melodic Black Metal that bring to mind bands such as OLD MAN’S CHILD and ABIGOR. Death Metal elements are present but much more subtle. Sometimes the guitars are drowned out by the keys or acoustic melodies. The vocals have a harsh Black Metal rasp, but sometime mix with Death Metal growls, but are subtle. There are a few spoken sections, but these voices feature an unhuman-sounding effect. The closing track,” The Primordial Wellspring,” contains a clean vocal section.

Whether it’s acoustic guitar or symphonic keys, the melodic aspect of “Elysia” stand out the most. The mix of melodies and extreme Metal provides a stark dichotomy. The music is aggressive in some places, yet soft and magical in others. At first, I thought this album is completely devoid of Death Metal, but as stated above, the Death Metal elements are there, they are just subtle. Even though they are from Sweden, HYPERION’s riffs do not recall the Gothenburg variety one would hear on an AT THE GATES or IN FLAMES album. Even though the album is filled with melodic Black Metal, I wouldn’t compare it to someone like DISSECTION. It’s more in line with bands like OLD MAN’S CHILD and ABIGOR but with a greater use of melody. While there are memorable guitar sections, the melodies are at the heart of what makes “Elysia” and enjoyable listen.

Tracklist:

1. Rapturous Overture
2. Nefarious Sacrament of the Immorals
3. Fides Novem
4. Iliou Persis
5. Paraphrosynia
6. Perennial Transcendence
7. Vigil of Longing
8. Epic of Tribulation
9. Epoch’s Eventide
10. The Primordial Wellspring

Lineup:

Erik Molnar: Guitars, Synthesizer Programming, Spoken Word
Joel Hagroth: Guitars, Spoken Word
Mikael Malm: Guitars
Raul Vicente: Bass
Mauritz Flodin: Drums, Orchestrations

Rate: 7.5/10