Hyperborean

Artist: 
Album Title: 
Mythos Of The Great Pestilence
Release Date: 
Friday, May 16, 2014
Label: 
Distribution: 
Review Type: 

Swedish combo Hyperborean was formed in 2000, but after the recording of some independently released demonstrational material (three demos, for your correct information), they were put to rest. In 2009 Hyperborean resurrected, and via Abyss Records they released the debut full length called The Spirit Of Warfare (on CD-format, in 2011). In 2013, Andreas Blomqvist (guitars and bass; also music) and Magnus Persson (vocals and lyrics) entered the famous Endarker Studio with Marduk’s Magnus Devo Andersson behind the knobs (think: Wall Of The Eyeless, Panchrysia, Eldkraft etc.). The drums, by the way, have been performed by session musician Fredrik Widigs of Marduk / Vomitous / Angrepp / Kraanium / Soils Of Fate / …-fame.

Mythos Of The Great Pestilence lasts for almost fifty five minutes (including the surprisingly strong bonus track, a cover of Blue Öyster Cult, i.e. (Don’t Fear) The Reaper). The album is quite an intense experience, not only because of the pretty lengthy duration, yet also because of the fast and energetic songs, and the slightly experimental performance. Hyperborean’s Black metal sounds very inventive, brought via a crafted technical execution, and filled with unusual and dissonant breaks and chaotic but ingeniously composed structures. Besides, the whole comes with elements from Tech-Death, as if Marduk would cover an Eyeconoclast-song. The main tempo is fast, very fast, with several brutal blast-parts and a couple of slower passages.

75/100