Hypnos Premiere “Caught in the Night”; Set Fire to the Sky out Sept. 28
Swedish classicists Hypnos release their third album, Set Fire to the Sky, on Sept. 28 as their more-or-less debut on The Sign Records, which also issued the live-in-studio GBG Sessions earlier this year. The five-piece Gothenburg outfit would seem to be progressing not only in their songwriting but along a pattern of corresponding years, as their second LP, 2016’s Cold Winds (review here), followed the boogie rock of their 2014 self-titled debut with a tilt toward early metal that more than hinted at heavy rock giving way as it did to the NWOBHM. Well, the Iron Maiden runs thick throughout Set Fire to the Sky, and while there are still some outward shades of classic heavy rock in the shuffle of “Ain’t No Fool” or the strutting “Tell Me Goodbye,” there’s no question that across the bulk of their latest work, the balance has shifted toward the metallic.
Whether it’s the proto-thrash of “Looking Out” or the expansive grandiosity of the 7:44 “Deadline,” the bassline of which seems to directly wink at Black Sabbath‘s “Heaven and Hell” in the verses en route to yet another hook in an apparently 
ongoing series thereof. The rush of “Caught in the Night” would seem to be in conversation with opener “Get Out,” and between those two and the uptempo pacing of the aforementioned “Ain’t No Fool,” the sense of urgency is palpable from front to back. One could argue even the title Set Fire to the Sky speaks to a kind of intensity with which the record brims even unto the more comfortably-swinging title-track with its effective backing vocals and Scorpions-style groove. The outliers, then, are “Time is Running Out,” which despite its title working on the theme departs the NWOBHM shove in favor of a mellow and atmospheric rock with shades of Morricone in the lead guitar and layers of acoustic behind, and closer “Slutet,” which sure enough translates to “end” and tops seven minutes with a build into the grand finale that starts out no less mellow than “Time is Running Out” earlier.
Not that one shouldn’t consider those songs as part of the overarching impression Set Fire to the Sky makes — they’re essential in adding depth to the atmosphere and to expanding the general character of the band — but the primary personality Hypnos have on display is still a classic metal party. If you could put stone-washed denim on a turntable and have it make a sound, it would start playing “Get Out.” All told, the nine-track/44-minute is stunningly coherent in its aesthetic choices, but that doesn’t come at the sacrifice of songwriting either. Hypnos have always been able to work with classic structures and classic styles alike, and whether it’s “Caught in the Night” — there are few things that could be more natural than this band writing songs about “the night” — “Tell Me Goodbye” or the reaches of “Slutet,” Set Fire to the Sky is nothing if it isn’t the furthest point yet on their progressive forward line. You can call it rock, or you can call it metal. Neither is wrong and I honestly doubt the band cares much either way, but what matters more is that Set Fire to the Sky finds Hypnos further refining their place in the sphere of heavy, standing apart from both the most modern of practitioners and those who’ve sworn fealty solely to the tenets of ’70s boogie.
You can hear the premiere of “Caught in the Night” below, followed by more background on the recording, courtesy of the PR wire. Set Fire to the Sky is available to preorder now from The Sign Records.
Please enjoy:
Hypnos blast off with their new album ”Set Fire To The Sky”. A more high flying and dynamic album that hits Mach 3 on the band’s career. Eight loud rock tracks that hold a playful and vigorous vibe. On their third album, Hypnos have refined their sound together with producer Ola Ersfjord (Tribulation, Primordial, Honeymoon Disease). Stronger songwriting, catchier hooks, together with a groovy rhythm section makes ”Set Fire To The Sky” Hypnos strongest album to this day. Hypnos are establishing their sound. It´s clear that ”Set Fire To The Sky” is the launchpad for the bands future. The new album is released on The Sign Records on the 28th of September.
It´s hard to mistake the Gothenburg based band’s Swedish roots. The intensity of their approach to music, and how their influences are cherry-picked out of the best of rock history. The pumping bass and epic solos side by side with Linus Johansson’s powerful vocals creates a modern take on classic rock in 2018. The songs were written during the short time frame of two months and show a re-born band on fire. There is both the raw energy that comes with something new and the wisdom from an experienced band on the album. ”Set Fire To The Sky” was recorded during nine days at Studio Ganymeden.
Pre-Order album here: https://freighttrain.se/en/the-sign-record/hypnos/
Tracklist:
Get Out
Ain’t No Fool
Set Fire To The Sky
Deadline
Time Is Running Out
Caught In The Night
Tell Me Goodbye
Looking Out
Slutet
Hypnos is:
Linus
Oskar
Pontus
Anton
Hampus
The Sign Records on Thee Facebooks
Tags: Gothenburg, Hypnos, Hypnos Set Fire to the Sky, Set Fire to the Sky, Sweden, The Sign Records
