Hypersonic – Kaosmogonia
Release Date: 12th April 2024
Label: Rockshots Records
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Genre: Symphonic Metal
FFO: Epica, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Nightwish, Septic Flesh, Dimmu Borgir.
Review By: Mark Waight
If you like me are a big fan of Symphonic Metal, then you are in for a real treat when you check out the latest album release from the superb powerhouse of a band Hypersonic. Kaosmogonia is only the third full-length album from Hypersonic since their initial formation in 2006 and comes following an almost eight-year wait from their previous release back in 2016. Have they been honing their skills? Read on!
Hypersonic are Eleonora Russo (vocals), Salvo Grasso (drums, vocals, and orchestral arrangements), Emanuele Gangemi (guitars), Francesco Caruso (bass) and Dario Caruso (keyboards).
We kick off with a short and rousing orchestral piece Apeiron, which raises the curtain and sets out the stall nicely for Hypersonic to ply their trade. Prepare yourself to be entertained!
Angels & Demons really mixes thing up with its hot pace and storytelling on a grand scale. The superb opposing forces of female/male vocals work beautifully together in an epic opening.
More than a sprinkling of eastern promise and spice runs through the heart of Veil of Insanity, along with a hard riff and an even harder message to the listener about the futility of war and its impact on those who witness it. With battlefield sound effects, this is not for the feint hearted.
Mother Earth follows-up with a highly charged and emotional tale of how this planet we call home weeps at the atrocities we reap upon her. Stirring and thought-provoking stuff.
The tension rises steadily in You Bastard, with its thumping rhythm occasionally giving way to something darker and more primeval. The beautiful vocals of Eleonora Russo provide a glimpse of light in all that blackness.
My Sacrifice cuts a deep swathe between something that can be both lovely and gentle at times with something altogether more chaotic and oppressive on other occasions. Both vocalists take turns between treading the light and dark paths in this fantastic and complex composition.
Stunning ballad Alone pulls sweetly on your heart strings with its almost simplistic approach of vocals and orchestral arrangements yet at the same time it manages to be an absolute masterpiece of some of the very finest music you will hear this year. Dreamy and extremely wonderful on the ears.
Path Of Salvation cranks things up a notch or two with a bold turn of pace, an almost cinematic feel, and a big dash of power metal. Hypersonic have thrown everything at this one (including the kitchen sink) with a banging result.
The epic sounding Against Myself is a very enjoyable ride with a deep rich fusion of styles coming together with blissful male/female vocals and a keyboard inspired Contemporary twist giving it that modern/futuristic sound.
It was not a Revelation to me that Hypersonic are right at the top of their game, with this track in particular successfully blending the old and the new in perfect harmony. The choral vocals are to die for!
With a more traditional Symphonic Metal tilt, Burning Inside builds up the intensity slowly as you are pulled into an absolute classic. What a finish! Well almost…We are played out by the lovely instrumental short Anima, which brings the curtain gently down with a sigh.
Well, what more can I say? Just this…Kaosmogonia is an absolute cracker, and Hypersonic have indeed produced a must-have album for the collection of any fans of the Symphonic Metal genre. Make sure you check Kaosmogonia out when it drops and give Hypersonic the recognition they truly deserve for producing a blue-ribbon album of this quality. Highly recommended.
(4.5 / 5)
