Hypokras Dead & Hungry
Warpath Records 2002
By Russell Garwood
Hypokras appear to have been formed for the sole reason of creating the sickest music possible. Aiming to play raw and frankly pernicious music reeking of absolute horror the bands music is, in fact, pretty heavy death metal with occasional samples and keyboards (courtesy of producer Stéphane Elkine). Both music and lyrics were composed and performed in their entirety by band member Deinos, with the exception of drums by Sir Genocide and vocals by Rhikou. The guitars, probably not deliberately, are often melodic, the drums are fast and precise and the vocals alternate between a death metal rasp and guttural growls. Dead & Hungry is the bands debut album, their only prior material being the demo Terror 1 which caught the eye of Frances Warpath Records.
Standouts on Dead & Hungry are hard to choose, but my favourites are Heritik Whores for the melodic, plodding guitars and title track Dead & Hungry for precise drums and catchy solos. Deceased In Alcoholik Orgasm has an enjoyable intro and the final track Ars Moriendi is an instrumental. Consisting primarily of violins and harpsichord, it provides a great contrast to the other tracks and is a successful conclusion to the album. While many of the tracks feel similar there are enough time and dynamic changes to hold your interest throughout. The recording, by Stéphane Elkine at Deaths Doors, while by no means state of the art, is clearer than many similar releases, and does the music proud. Hypokras would very much appeal to those looking for dark, perverted music, and Dead & Hungry would also be welcome in most death metal fans collections.
Warpath Records 2002
By Russell Garwood
Hypokras appear to have been formed for the sole reason of creating the sickest music possible. Aiming to play raw and frankly pernicious music reeking of absolute horror the bands music is, in fact, pretty heavy death metal with occasional samples and keyboards (courtesy of producer Stéphane Elkine). Both music and lyrics were composed and performed in their entirety by band member Deinos, with the exception of drums by Sir Genocide and vocals by Rhikou. The guitars, probably not deliberately, are often melodic, the drums are fast and precise and the vocals alternate between a death metal rasp and guttural growls. Dead & Hungry is the bands debut album, their only prior material being the demo Terror 1 which caught the eye of Frances Warpath Records.
Standouts on Dead & Hungry are hard to choose, but my favourites are Heritik Whores for the melodic, plodding guitars and title track Dead & Hungry for precise drums and catchy solos. Deceased In Alcoholik Orgasm has an enjoyable intro and the final track Ars Moriendi is an instrumental. Consisting primarily of violins and harpsichord, it provides a great contrast to the other tracks and is a successful conclusion to the album. While many of the tracks feel similar there are enough time and dynamic changes to hold your interest throughout. The recording, by Stéphane Elkine at Deaths Doors, while by no means state of the art, is clearer than many similar releases, and does the music proud. Hypokras would very much appeal to those looking for dark, perverted music, and Dead & Hungry would also be welcome in most death metal fans collections.
