Album Review: Hydrogyn - The Boiling Point (2020)
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| Picture Credit: Hydrogyn |
Hydrogyn - The Boiling Point
Release: October 30, 2020
Label: RFL Records
Format: CD / Digital
Length: 50:40
Genre: Hard Rock / Alternative Metal
Origin: Ashland (Kentucky), USA
"The Boiling Point" is the 11th longplayer by American Hard Rock and Metal band Hydrogyn. After vocalist Julie Westlake had to leave the band due to health issues it has become quite quiet around Hydrogyn. But here are the good news we need to hear in this weird year:
Hydrogyn are back! And their newest release introduces their new vocalist Holly Hines Freed! Are you ready for some intense Hard Rock and dark Alternative Metal?
"The Boiling Point" contains thirteen new tracks. Well okay, three of them are covers, but I'll come back to that later. Hydrogyn have returned with some honest and autochthonous Hard Rock. Songs like 'Widowmaker' are defined by massively heavy riffs, swift licks and an intensely grinding sound. Heck yes, this is some dirty and rough Rock'n'Roll!
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| Picture Credit: Hydrogyn |
But Hydrogyn are capable of a lot more. The introductory track 'Disppear' is a good example for the Altnernative Metal sounds the band presents here. Bass-laden monsters of riffs remind of the late 90s and early 00s when skate parks were filled with the sound of heavy guitar music. If there's a gonna be a new THPS, Hydrogyn should be featured. And in songs like 'Ghost' the band also shows their darkest side.
So it's all hard, heavy and dark? Nope! "The Boiling Point" has its emotional and soulful moments, too. The calmer tracks 'Worthless Love' and 'Tragic' seem to look back on, and settle the scores with past (toxic) relationships.
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| Picture Credit: Hydrogyn |
Yes, this is a highly versatile album full of different and unique tracks. Each of the five members does their part for this imposant oeuvre. The most dominant part of course is vocalist Freed who makes an amazing debut as Hydrogyn's new voice. Altogether, "The Boiling Point" is full of variety and amazing heavy sound.
And yes, I wanted to talk about the cover songs. Well, the final track on the album is a very interesting version of Tears for Fears' 'Mad World'. I guess that many artists have tried to cover this one, and Hydrogyn are one the bands who don't sound pathetic doing it.
Also, the album contains a cover version of one of my favourite Elvis Presley songs 'Suspicious Minds'. Here, they added some extra dark atmosphere to make this classic shine in a new light.
But most importantly, there is a cover version of Blondie's 'One Way or Another' - probally one of the greatest Rock songs ever written. Hydrogyn did not have to alter the song too much. They just made use of their rough sound and of Holly Hines Freed's great voice. And there you, the song is a banger!
By the way, covering Blondie is always a good idea. Antillectual proved that recently.
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| Picture Credit: Hydrogyn |
Line-Up:
Holly Hines Freed - vocals,
Jeff Westlake - guitar,
Ryan Stepp - guitar,
Jacob Freed - bass,
Scott Clayton II - drums.
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