Belgian progressive Post-Metal quintet Hippotraktor presents their second full-length album, the epic concept record “Stasis,” via Berlin’s Pelagic Records. Stream the whole album through the YouTube player below:
Originally a three-piece instrumental outfit consisting of Mechelen-based producer, songwriter and guitarist Chiaran Verheyden, bassist Jakob Fiszer and drummer Lander De Nyn, Hippotraktor finally found its stride with the permanent introduction of guitarist/vocalist Sander Rom (L’Itch) and percussionist/vocalist Stefan De Graef (Psychonaut) in 2021. The combination of Chiaran’s impressionistic songwriting ambitions and Stefan’s powerful, narrative-charged lyrics proved to be a golden combination on the band’s debut album, “Meridian,” which masterfully transformed the band’s disparate instrumental compositions into a singular, driving work of sonic fiction.
Consisting of seven compositions written with the full creative force of the five-piece in mind, Hippotraktor’s second record is a lavish, dynamically complex sound, with a multilayered structure much greater than the sum of its parts. “Stasis tells a story of human nature,” notes De Graef of the album’s narrative. “As the protagonist enters a new world in which he is confronted with other humans for the first time, he acquaints himself with their customs and ethics, discovering generosity and empathy, but also greed, jealousy and hatred.” Rather than chronologically, the story unfolds in retrospection as our protagonist looks back upon his life among his kin, his struggle with good and evil, and his fight against the stasis of living a life purely based on self-interest.
Balanced in the middle of the “Stasis” story, “The Indifferent Human Eye” sees the album’s nameless protagonist eventually fall victim to his own ego, consumed by arrogance. However, this hubris soon crumbles away to leave nothing and no one by his side; beginning a redemptive journey to find and nurture a single shred of decency within. Complete with exhilarating vocal harmonies and grinding, polyrhythmic breakdowns that capture the tale’s euphoric highs and crushing lows, “The Indifferent Human Eye” is just one part of the Belgian quintet’s ambitious narrative epic.
Taken from the Greek word for “stoppage,” “Stasis” is Hippotraktor’s warning to us all; a call to action and compassion in a world that’s hurtling towards a cynical standstill.
“Stasis” will be released on CD, gatefold LP, and all digital platforms on June 7th. Find preorders at THIS LOCATION.
Fans of Gojira, Meshuggah, Textures, Psychonaut, Uneven Structure, Tesseract and Herod, don’t miss Hippotraktor’s “Stasis.”
Tracklist:
1. Descent
2. Echoes
3. Silver Tongue
4. Renegade
5. The Indifferent Human Eye
6. Stasis
7. The Reckoning
Lineup:
Stefan de Graef / Vocals
Jakob Fiszer / Bass
Chiaran Verheyden / Guitar
Lander De Nyn / Drums
Sander Rom / Guitar / Vocals
