Hypocrisy – Hypocrisy
Album Information
This is the swedish death-metal trio’s self-titled album which is known to be one great album, and I have to agree. Tägtgren continues to deliver more and more improvements in his vocals and guitar playing. The songs is very different from one to another, some people think that some fragments of the songs sounds like Iron Maiden, one of the greatest heavy-metal bands of all time.
The Line Up
Peter Tägtgren – vocals/guitars
Mikael Hedlund – bass
Lars Szöke – drums
Track Information
Fractured Millenium
Starts with opera effects, similar to Nightwish and later the band kicks in. A yell scream from Tägtgren which uses screaming vocals. Simple drumming and moderate riffing plus the classic ¨Hypocrisy chanting ¨ in the background makes this song to a great opener to the album. Incredible soloing by the way. 4.5/5
Apocalyptic Hybrid
A very intensive song with mixed vocals such as growls and screams. Great drumming but the guitars may sound a bit odd compared to the bands previous work. From my part I don’t think this is a good song because of the high-speed drumming and high-pitched solos but there are sections that is really catchy. A weak 4/5
Fusion Programmed Minds
Slow distorted riffs which explodes into a heavy triplet riffing song. This is one of the songs which has been considered to be Iron Maidish and I have to agree. It sounds like I.M except the vocals which is furious screams. Great swedish death-metal! 5/5
Elastic Inverted Vision
Starts with melodic and beautiful acoustics that really touches your inner emotions. The vocals is somewhat a mix between screams and opera without harmonics. Superb riffing and solos plus that Tägtgren really sings in this song which is not so common in other songs. The fading chanting in the back is also included here. Another great song from the swedish death-trio. 5/5
Reversed Reflections
The vocals here is very similar as in the song before. The song turns up in pace a bit to quick, the galloping riffs does not fit perfect with the song structure at some times. Moderate tempo and the vocals is great even for those that haven’t heard this band. 4/5
Until The End
Starts with a fading riff and a semi-acoustics along with the drums, the guitars has not the catchy tune as in many other songs. The vocals sure is something different compared to their earlier materials. The song in general sounds kind of depressing and lonely but I’m affraid that the vocals is less than good in this song. 3.5/5
Paranormal Mysteria
Sad sounding riffs opens this track and later becomes a very power-metallic influenced song and/or gothic. Here is the screaming vocals dominating and the raw guitar sound. The slow fade riffs is reversed to intensive triplets but the song does not sound catchy. 3.5/5
Time Warp
A high-speed song, I think this is one of their fastest song yet. The vocals that is heard in the beginning oddly sounds like a NU-metal vocalist from another band which is bad but the classic screams is also included. Double bass and intensive, heavy guitars makes this song to a pretty good one. 4/5
Disconnected Magnetic Corridors
Sounds like a classic ballad a la Hypocrisy, the sad and hopeless tune in the song makes very good and harmonic and relaxing. The vocals is a good example of Tägtgrens finest vocal moments. ¨The end is closing in¨ is an example of the lyrics from this song and it is not a love song if I say so. Good song to end this great album. 4.5/5
Pros
-Great vocals
-Great guitars
Cons
-The bass is sadly faded away by the guitars
-To few songs
I am not a dedicated death-metal fan but this album really got stuck on my mind, this is a great album but I think it had that much I.M sound in it. I can recommend this album to any death-metal fan but for those that don’t like this genre to much I could recommend Fusion Programmed Minds and Elastic Inverted Vision. If you come across this album buy it, this is a good example of great swedish death-metal. Final album rating: 5/5
