If there was a moment where I knew that I was becoming incredibly invested in Pelagic Records’ output outside of The Ocean, it was Hippotraktor’s 2021 release, Meridian. 2021 had already been an interesting year for the label – and then Meridian proceeded to obliterate the entirety of my frontal cortex. I couldn’t stop talking about it, to the point where it even placed high on my EOY list for 2021. Imagine my absolute delight to learn that Hippotraktor was releasing Stasis, an album that I knew had the potential to decimate me emotionally. Let’s discuss.

One of the first things one will notice about Hippotraktor is their “hit the ground running” approach. First track “Descent” kicks off the dynamics early, combining both atmosphere and weight into a colossal wall of sound that blisters skin. The track never slows down, transitioning seamlessly between different tempos across the song, each part poignant and moving progressively towards its conclusion. It’s clear that the band had an idea that they wanted to see through, as while the track is long – most of the songs are past the five-minute mark – there is no fluff to be found. It’s a lean, thematic machine. After the blistering nature of “Descent,” second track “Echoes” is a much-needed respite, showcasing more of the band’s instrumental mastery. There is more emphasis on the melodic, “cleaner” aspect of post-progressive metal: the pronounced appearance of cleaner vocals; a hazier aspect to instrumental technicality; and melodic passages that echo influences from what sounds like prog death. It is also the most sonically diverse track on the album, as it lacks the bite and the weight previously seen on “Descent.”

As the album continues, noticeably its true heart lies past “Silver Tongue.” Once “Renegade” begins, Hippotraktor has officially taken off the training wheels and decided to fully reinvent themselves throughout the rest of the record. “Renegade” has a slow start that then pivots into heavy synths, screams, and emotional cleans that are punctuated by the roaring guitar in the background. The post-metal haze is gone – the music moves at a frenetic pace, counterbalanced by the vocals, and all you can do is just hang on for the ride. This bleeds into “The Indifferent Human Eye,” a track that, while gentler than “Renegade” is no slouch in the dynamics department. It also pivots from an entirely soft percussion start into easily one of the most complex songs on the album. The title track even has an entire musical section that sounds completely blown out before it kicks in high gear halfway through the track. There are no more respites, no more moments where you can catch your breath, as the music continues to change. You can only submit yourself to the rollercoaster that Stasis has prepared for you.

It’s also clear that Hippotraktor has taken influence not just from their own internal musical palette – percussionist/vocalist Stefan De Graef is part of Psychonaut, so there might be some musical bleed – but also from external sources. For example, “The Reckoning” has a keen The Ocean influence, as if Hippotraktor took cues from a melody they heard and added their own flair to it. “Silver Tongues” also sounds like Hippotraktor borrowed aspects from the upbeat introduction to Voyager’s “Prince of Fire,” a sonic connection that was both unexpected and welcome. Granted, the band’s usage of polyrhythmic tonalities brings complexity to their music, but it’s accessible, in comparison to other, more established bands that tend to experiment for the sake of having experimentation on the record. Hippotraktor’s experimentation has purpose, creating distinct sonic and thematic differences that make each track memorable and unique.

All in all, Stasis excels at showcasing Hippotraktor’s intense energy and expansive sound. Despite its name, the album is never stagnant, showing reinvention within its runtime. It’s clear that the band has expanded since their debut, as Meridian was an album charged with experimentation and frenzy. However, one of the downsides is that, on subsequent listens, one can become familiar with the album’s cadence, leading it to be seen as an extension of Meridian. While there are nods and reprises made towards Meridian (see “Manifest the Mountain” and “Renegade”), it’s clear that Hippotraktor has created their own musical identity, separate and distinct from both their label mates and the band members’ other projects. If you originally missed out on Hippotraktor, then let Stasis obliterate your frontal cortex to a new sphere of experience.

–Hera

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Stasis will be available June 7 on Pelagic Records. For more information on Hippotraktor, visit their official Facebook and Instagram.