SHEOL

2.5/5 2023 is seems to be a big year for French progressive heavy music. Hypno5e joins the likes of HamaSaari, Anasazi, Gorod, and probably others that I don't know anything about, in releasing well regarded releases this year. While "well-regarded" in the context of practically unknown French indie-prog simply means a handful of Prog-Archives reviewers and a few review blogs like Angry Metal Guy have given these releases favorable reviews, for the avid prog metal fan seeking out the next great developments in progressive music, the 2023 prog metal scene deserves any attention we can give it. Surprisingly, for me at least, most of these aforementioned groups, Hypno5e included, have been around and releasing LP's for over a decade long time. Their lack of recognition globally given their talent and, most importantly, willingness to experiment and push prog metal forward is absolutely criminal.

Unfortunately, while I would like this review of Sheol to be glowing recommendation and a call for all prog fans to get it on the French scene, I can't quite get behind it. Hypno5e definitely attempt to embody the experimental spirit that characterizes this scene but fail to actualize it. Its almost as if the band sketched on a whiteboard the structure of a boundary pushing record but then filled in that structure with stock chords and riffs until the spaces could be filled with more inspired content.

With all that said, I can also see why prog fans might still love this record. As indicated above, there is a structure to the record that is attempting something huge and, for lack of a better word, cinematic. For some, the form of delivery will be enough to elevate the material actually being delivered. I guess you can say I am one of the poor fans who lost sight of the forest for the trees when evaluating this record. Either way, I encourage any listener to make their own opinion.