Hyborian

Hyborian is balls to the wall raw sludge metal hailing from Kansas City, Missouri. Volume II is their third album and what feels like a overall continuation from their previous record, Volume I. From the very beginning of the 8 song, 40 minute masterpiece is the song Driven by Hunger which gives you a perfect taste of what the rest of the album has in store. It is easily arguable that Volume II gets better with additional play throughs and will give you more time to single out some of the fantastic guitar work.

Overall the mixing of Volume II has a standard sludge metal sound, which is great since this is exactly how I picture they sound live in a good room. As I am also one to nitpick, the snare sound on this record is fantastic. It has a full fat sound with a snap on the high end that would make your mom blush. I would also go so far to say that the ride cymbal bell on this is the best I've heard this year. Change my mind!

The guitars have smooth surround panning and there are layers upon layers of lead guitar harmonies that require a good stereo system to really appreciate. The vocals are layered with backing vocals hard panned as well, which adds to the overall weight and hands out a vocal experience I haven't heard in a while.

Hyborian has absolutely filled the hole in my heart for new music from bands of the same feel like Baroness or Mastodon. The song writing on this record all play well in and out of track order in which they all give you little time to breathe before you have to start pumping your fist again while waiting in line for curbside pickup.

8.0 / 10 — Chris W