Hypnos are among a number of bands from Sweden who are taking their love of the 60s and 70s hard rock and putting their own spin on the music. For decades musicians have cited influences from bands such as Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, but it’s been a long time since a band has taken these influences and incorporated them so organically into their sound that it’s allowed to become something fresh. While all music progresses and becomes something else as the years pass, it’s sometimes interesting to wonder what would have happened if things had gone off in a different direction. Bands like Hypnos, Spiders, Vidunder and the internationally acclaimed Blues Pills are bringing that seventies sound back for a new generation and for every kid who loves going through his dad’s record collection… or maybe his granddad’s.

 

Hypnos consists of Philip Lindgren on vocals, duel guitar slingers Oskar Karlsson and Fredrik Bäckström, Anton Frick Kallmin on Bass and Lasse Ekelöf on Drums. After forming in 2013 they quickly sparked the interest of Crusher records and within a few months were signed and recording this debut album.

 

The opening track, Hands of Evil, kicks the album off with a heavy Sabbath feel. The band relies on nothing more than their skill on the instruments to create a big sound, heavy on the riffs, solos and lyrics such as ‘The good in you is holding your mind back…’ are sure to get you thinking.

 

The follow up track, Hypnos, takes the listener into a mellow place before it unleashes the heavy riffing, bridging back and forward between these two planes before taking you towards its ultimate conclusion and to the following track Nightmares which unfolds like a bad dream with its ominous stop start riff and heavy bass. Although while nightmares are meant to be filled with horrors this track was a true pleasure to listen to.

 

The Mountain contains some great harmonised lead lines in the style of Wishbone Ash and Thin Lizzy. This one really shows how the band takes a riff or melody and uses it to move into the next section. One of the coolest instrumental sections I’ve heard in a while.

 

How To Handle Madness is a great way to end the album with its fast paced tempo and contrasting harmony section that lets the notes ring over the bombastic drums.

 

The song craft within these tracks is always interesting with sections blending together seamlessly and while the band venture into a couple of different takes on the sound, they maintain the unmistakeable feel that it’s still the same band. Its music filled with spontaneity and energy that only comes from young musicians who have a genuine love for what they do.

 

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Check out the video for the track Hypnos