Hippotraktor – Stasis
Release Date: 7th June 2024
Label: Pelagic Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Post-Metal, Progressive Metal.
FFO: Textures, The Ocean, Pelican, Dvne.
Review By: Ceta
Hippotraktor might not be the most famous band in post-metal right now, but their previous album Meridian is clearly a hidden gem that came out a few years back. Their new release, Stasis, is an expected progression from their previous album. Though expectations are high, I believe they’re up to the task. Stasis is an album with layers and depth that require multiple listens to fully appreciate. Initially, it may not seem impressive, but with repeated listening, its details become more apparent. The band moves towards a post/prog style, creating ethereal scenarios occasionally splattered with anger, while maintaining a strong connection with the pacing of Meridian.
The album starts heavy and aggressive, but gradually transitions into a more progressive sound that invites comparisons with The Ocean. The songwriting becomes deeper and more elaborate as the album reaches its end. By the time we reach the last track, we’re fully committed to a progressive endeavor that’s still heavy but where sound exploration becomes the band’s main interest. In that sense, Hippotraktor has a unique style. They still write individual tracks that aren’t directly connected to each other, but they do support each other, creating a cohesive experience.
There are some minor issues with the album. More change from Meridian would have been appreciated, although the small changes present here are positive. Stasis requires effort to fully enjoy; it’s a complicated listen, with many ups and downs. It never gets boring, but it never gets easy either. Hence, you have to be prepared to go through the album more than once. However, I think it’s totally worth the exploration since there’s so much to discover in Stasis. You hear different things every time you put it on.
So, if you want your metal with a bit more nuance and more than just heavy riffs or brutal drums, Stasis has crafted something incredibly interesting that will make you think of The Ocean before they dramatically changed style in Holocene. Imagine that album never happened, and you’ll get a good idea of what Hippotraktor has come up with here. It might not seem like it, but you should be excited about it!
(4 / 5)
