Hypno5e- Des Deux l’Une Est l’Autre

By Chris Dahlberg

Published on Wednesday, May 6, 2009

French experimental metal band Hypno5e has been around since 2003, but chances are that many American listeners haven’t heard of them quite yet. However, as their debut full length from 2007 Des Deux l’Une Est l’Autre continues to gain more widespread exposure it seems likely that they could gain quite a following in this country. Combining elements of progressive metal and post metal with ambient and other experimental moments, Hypno5e is an act that will take a couple of listens to fully appreciate but those who give them a chance will be amazed.

The instrumentalists of Hypno5e demonstrate the level of variety that their compositions have almost as soon as the album begins. The first track, “Maintained Relevance Of Destruction Part I” moves between extremely heavy metalcore sounding riffs and jazzier, more melodic sections seemingly on a dime. This trend continues throughout the course of Des Deux l’Une Est l’Autre as the instrumentalists will often make use of Meshuggah style stop-start riffs and throw in some softer, creepier sections in between each one. Towards the end of the album, the band begins to head towards full on ambient/experimental territory which not only gives them quite a bit of variety but a sense of surprise as well. Listeners will never quite be sure which element Hypno5e is going to make use of next and that is sure to keep them coming back to this release again and again.

There are quite a few vocal styles present throughout the course of Hypno5e’s album as well. Towards the beginning of the release when the instrumentals are often heavier and closer to death/post metal the vocal styles consist of high pitched and raw screams. But as the disc continues on quite a few other styles make an appearance as well. Unlike other bands of this type, Hypno5e also includes a lot of clean vocals and sound clips as well and this helps to establish a very creepy atmosphere on many of the tracks. And surprisingly, despite the amount of sound clips that are used on Des Deux l’Une Est l’Autre they never feel out of place and actually help to enhance the music.

Hypno5e is one of the most interesting bands that I’ve heard in awhile, and their debut full length has more than enough twists and turns to keep listeners coming back for more. Although there are elements of this release that technically make it a metal album, Des Deux l’Une Est l’Autre is so much more than that ans hopefully people will take note of that. It will be very exciting to see where the group goes from here as there is still plenty of room for them to expand.

http://www.myspace.com/hypno5e