HYBRIS

After downloading the "Jordrok" mp3 to see what all the fuss was about, i was completely blown away. I couldn't believe how good an instrumental it was. Anglagard have found a near perfedt logic when creating their signature sound on "hybris", to make an album that sounds like one of the great prog masterpieces of the 70s, dont use instruments that weren't around in the 70s! This album definetly sounds like something that would have been made around the late 60s/early 70s and that is what makes it so unique and extraordinary to listen to.

"Hybris" is a pure symphonic rock album which definetly takes influence from YES and GENESIS. This is apparent in the excellent guitar work as well as the choice of instruments and how they have been arranged to give that pure symphonic prog sound. Anglagard have pulled it off incredibly well. What's more astounding is that they managed to get it right on their first outing, and they were only aroun 19 when they made this album!

"Jordrok" is an excellent blend of synth, organ solos, emotional guitar solos, mellotrons and drums. I love the way the piano intro just pulls you in and instantly tells the listner that they are in for something really different and amazing. The mulitlayered instruments continue to build up and progress into a wonderful melee of sketchy guitar pieces that lead into the wonderful emotional piece (around 1:35). The bass and drums are so apparent on the album and stand out really well. The song manages to find its way into a rather random organ solo which reminds me of Rick Wakeman in the centrepiece of "Close to the Edge" or "And You And I". It is absoluetly magical to hear, because nothing else like that has ever been done since the 70s. Angalagard nail symphonic prog surprisingly well and show off all their inspirations and musical roots.

The second track enters with a soft flute that leads into mellow guitar picking in the background, this song builds up so much atmosphere just like the track that proceeded it. This track builds up into some excellent keyboard work but the bass seems to be a star for most of this track. There is some amazing guitar work throughout. It is hard to pinpoint any significant areas because it all just flows so well and is a brilliant listen. The vocals can be a little hard to accept. I think their stronger points are the instrumental work and their arrangements. The vocals are not bad but i think they take some getting used to. The lyrics are obviously in swedish as are the titles so its can be hard to dig out the emotion in the vocals unless you speak fluent Swedish. Still the emotional guitar and flute work makes up for this.

the last two tracks show off their own amazing areas and are brilliant to listen to. The vocals sound a lot better on track 4, which uses darker and more menacing instrumental work. Track 3 is pretty insane with the intro, a quiet "music box" style sound which explodes into chaos! This is a more energetic piece that reminds me of "dance on a volcano" style music by Genesis or some frantic Yes songs, maybe even some King Crimon influence. The vocals on track 3 are tolerable but track 4 is the best track for vocals.

"Hybris" is a very special album by a very unique band. Its a shame they had such a short existance with only 3 albums to fill their discography. Personally i think Hybris deserves the "suggestion" under its name because it is much more original and i found it easier to listen to and generally better musically. "Epilog" is amazing too, but just sounds like more of the same, although it does have lot of expanded areas. "Hyrbis" grips me more because it is the start of this unique sound. An excellent piece to listen to if you can manage to track it down.