Hypnotic Nausea is an experimental heavy rock/stoner rock band from Athens, Greece. The band was formed in August 2013 and in May 2015 they recorded their first album “Hypnosis” live in the studio attempting to capture the analog feel of their sound. The main focus was to create soundscapes, functioning as a highlight for their conceptual art ideas. That focus of soundscapes and conceptual art holds true and is still central with their newest album—The Death of All Religions—which was recently released on March 29th, 2019.
We received the album for free along with the digital artwork and the comic book, which was honestly all pretty cool. The comic book, which I, unfortunately, cannot share with you, is a visual journey and very well done—and calling the artwork trippy would be an understatement. Having never heard of the band and having no idea what to expect, I decided to add the album to the current playlist and give myself a week or so to digest the sound and the album.
Now, I hate to compare one band to another, as I find that it can be lazy, arrogant, rude, or even disrespectful to all parties involved…so trust me when I say that I have thought long and hard about this comparison and Hypnotic Nausea’s The Death of All Religions could very well be a collection of Tool songs that never made it on to the Undertow and Ænima albums. With most of the tracks on the album being instrumental, Hypnotic Nausea has a sound that is near identical to that of the Infamous prog-rock kings, sans the MJK vocals.
This is in no way a negative thing. Tool is one of my favourite bands and they are infamously slow at putting out material. The Death of All Religions has been on repeat now for a good week or two as I enjoy the anti-religious sentiments coupled with sick riffs and melodic beats that cry out over those soundwaves. It’s not so heavy as to be metal, but it is a lot more technical than regular hard rock. It has an avant-garde feel, artistically trying to push a narrative while playing out a story. It’s oftentimes quite beautiful.
With the first track, Holy City, being my personal favourite, I’d be hard-pressed to pick a second as the album plays more like a single song rather than independent parts. It’s like a symphony or a story that is meant to be told from start to end, which is also something that made me enjoy the concept of the album along with the artwork and direction; I liked when albums were more than just a collection of singles and rather a greater art piece that was meant to be digested in a certain matter.
This was a pleasant surprise for me. It’s not often that a random promotional email helps you find a band whose sound is the exact thing that you were looking for. I’m even going to track down some of their older stuff and give that a listen too. If you like Tool’s sound, you’ll love these guys as well.
Album introductory note:
City H. – Year 2. The archbishop strikes the fear of god in the hearts of men. Construction of the great Temple has been concluded and adjacent buildings are well underway. Sacred and proper. That is the word imposed by the elite. Everything in His name. No exceptions. The peasants are to remain in their underground quarters deep in the vaults of City H. They must build. There is no time for thought. Only prayer…
A concept album about the viral nature of religion and other mind viruses. A made up deity drives society’s train and the people seem defenseless against it. They serve it blindly. Yet they serve other people. The inventors of their false god…
Purchase The Death of All Religions Here: https://hypnoticnausea.bandcamp.com/track/the-death-of-all-religions
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/hypnoticnausea/
Album Art:
