This is the second album from Belgian progressive metal band Hippotraktor.
Stasis contains 47 minutes of material that combines elements of the technical, groove, djent, and post-metal styles into a contemporary progressive metal framework that’s asborbing.
For a rough starting point for Stasis, think of a mix of bands such as The Ocean, Tesseract, Uneven Structure, Monuments, Meshuggah, Tool, and Karnivool.
Hippotraktor blend their influences together with skill. The various moving parts fit each other with engineered precision, contributing to the feeling that there’s a greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts thing going on here. Hippotraktor’s singer also provides vocals for Psychonaut, so you should already know that there are no issues in this area.
The songs are engaging and built out of quality materials. With intricate structures and layered delivery, each song provides much for the listener to explore, preferably at length over time. The hooks sink deepest when you get the chance to really spend time with the record. There’s a depth here that’s compelling. It’s mood-rich and atmospheric, but also frequently harsh and unconventional. The hooks are there though regardless, waiting for you with enthusiastic vibrancy.
Hippotraktor have a creative ambition that elevates Stasis above the norm. Even the djent elements in their sound – a style that’s so easily generic – add value, rather than detracting from the whole. Dynamic and melodic, the songs are infectious and moreish. They balance heaviness, melodic colour, and complex texture with ease, merging them into a holistic mixture that emphasises songwriting over ostentation.
Stasis is a strong album throughout. It boasts a curious blend of the inaccessible and the accessible, one that manages to work well for the band, rather than hinder them. The heaviness complements the nuanced emotive richness, resulting in an album that’s remarkable for its potency. Nope, you won’t want to miss out on Stasis if you’re a fan of contemporary atypical heaviness.