Hypocrisy
Virus

THE REVIEW

Hypocrisy; I had already heard that name mentioned by someone, maybe by a metalhead friend of mine, but I hadn't really paid much attention. Very bad. I saw one of their videos on television (certainly not on MTV!) and I got interested, kind of like it happened with other bands. I did some research on them and discovered they are a very famous and important death metal band that came to life thanks to the legendary Peter Tagtgren in 1991. Then I realized that I "had to" absolutely have one of their works. Since it was close to Christmas and since my cousin was willing to give me a present, I asked for one of their albums, any album; I wanted to try how they were. The CD arrived, and I liked it a lot because it's a Limited Edition with an included DVD of their live performance in Strasbourg in support of their previous album.

On my first listen, it seemed strange, I had never come across such a unique death metal band, but I still found it enjoyable. In fact, I noticed that it wasn't a band like all the others but different, distinctive with a very recognizable style. What impressed me and still impresses me about their sound is their ability to combine melody with brutality, sometimes overlapping, creating a masterpiece that often transcends the death metal genre itself, which I really like. The voice of the singer and guitarist is very beautiful and unique, capable of adapting to both melody and brutality. Their compositions are all very beautiful and original, never banal or predictable, capable of creating an independent universe making the listening experience always very interesting. In the rhythmic section, the drummer Horgh stands out, providing an excellent demonstration of his skills that make the work very interesting.

It starts with the intro that catapults us into the very fast and excellent "Warpath," which in my opinion is one of the best tracks on the CD. It continues with "Scrutinized," a violent and engaging track that halfway through presents an excellent solo, and guess whose work it is? It’s the work of the legendary Gary Holt, guitarist of Exodus, who gives us a spectacular thrash-style solo made in Bay Area!!! The song that follows, "Fearless," is a masterpiece of melody, surrounded by great lyrics and a very catchy chorus. A great "Craving For Another Kill" follows, fast, violent, and very engaging. "Let The Knife Do The Talking" is also a good song, which, although slow, is still incisive and heavy. Excellent "A Thousand Lies," which after a calm start leads into unprecedented ferocity. We move forward with the interesting "Incised Before I've Ceased" and arrive at a masterpiece of brutality named "Blooddrenched." "Compulsive Psychosis" presents itself as a very good track, alternating a memorable chorus with heavy rhythms, and there’s a great solo by Holma. "Living To Die" is an excellent melodic song, presented as a very linear song that ends just as it started. The CD concludes with the bonus track "Watch Out," which in my opinion is absolutely a masterpiece with a heavy and slow rhythm that gives a certain groove to the song.

I fully recommend listening to it if you're looking for something unique. Needless to say, "I also recommend it to those who don't like metal" because it wouldn't be true.