An essential symphonic-prog recording, a real genre defining
D. Tonya | Barber-tucky, Ohio | 04/21/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After a few months of searching, I was finally able to get a copy of this album. It's the digi-pack version with the bonus track to make things even better. If you are a fan of symphonic prog, especially the styling's of Genesis and King Crimson, this is THE album for you. Here is a band that knows their influences, but offers their own unique take on things. The Swedish folk overtones add a dimension that helps to make the compositions unique to the giants of '70's prog.
The musicianship is almost startling, even more so when you consider the age of the band members (all under 24). The drumming is what struck me first and foremost. The drumming is both utterly complex and amazingly delicate depending on the mood the band is trying to achieve. And speaking of moods, Anglagard switches time signatures and musical styles with blinding speed and dexterity. Music this complex is rarely shown on a debut release. And yet, they have the uncanny maturity to make all that complexity musical. This isn't just complex for the sake of showing off, they are very cognoscente of this being music and not a mathematical exercise.
I'm simply in awe of this band; one listen to Jordrok and I was hooked. Now I would consider it my absolute favorite instrumental, even more so than La Villa Strangiato. That's something I never thought I'd say. If I could give this album 6 stars; I would. I honestly don't think you can be a serious symphonic prog fan without a copy of this album. Hybris is that good and that important."
Could this one get SIX stars??
PABLO TORO BALA | Mexico City, Mexico | 06/12/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Back on December 1992 a friend who is a die-hard fan of prog as myself invited me to a live performance of a Swedish group I'd never heard before: Anglagard. Living in Mexico City where we never get to see underground groups (let alone PROG underground ones) it was not a hard decision to give it a try. The audience was not more than 150 people, all super prog fans, still I didn't know what to expect. Anglagaard came out to the stage and I could notice how young they all were, especially the drummer. Rightaway they started performing "Jordrok" and before a minute had passed we all realised that this was not another prog group, but that were in front of a MAJOR act, and best of all, in an almost private performance. We all listened astonished.
Enough. The album is definitively one the best symphonic prog attempts in the last 20 years. The influence of 70's music, especially Gabriel's era Genesis is undeniable -I mean, who played a Mellotron in the 90's? - Tomas Jonson, keyboard player, is the perfect mixture of Wakeman and Banks. Still, it was Mattias Olson, at his late teens, the one who already displayed virtuosism on drums. The complex rhythms on every song of Hybris shows a very well achieved influence of icons like Neil Peart or Terry Bozzio. It is his playing that enhances all the compositions of the record, demanding your attention from the beginning to the end. Hybris displays very much a 70's mood, but totally renewed and with much energy and creativity. It is a pity that this group split so soon, as they had everything to be one of the top five prog groups ever. If you love Prog music, this one's for you."
Prog Classic
J. Covington | USA, Houston,TX | 04/02/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This classic recording is available from the band at a reasonable price. Google the band's name and go to their website. Prices are in Swedish Krona which can be converted to local currency on XE.com. Don't pay inflated prices, buy directly from the artist."
Track Listings (5) - Disc #1