The first thing that struck me as i pressed play on my ancient Sony machine was that someone had given me the wrong album. Nope.The riffs being dealt outta my busted up sanyos were by none other than Hamburgs finest riff dealers Hyne. Immediately my mind spoke to me and said “It sounds like L.G. Petrov(Entombed) fronting some older Orange Goblin. I fucking laughed at loud and opened my first beer as that thought quickly disappeared and I continue listening and pushing the volume higher and louder. Satisfying my cats and annoying the hell outta my neighbors.
Its quite fitting that Elements starts with the tracks “the Engine”, “Beneath the Radar”, “Burn” and as I left the album blasting the speed at which I downed beers picked up as the songs gave me the feeling of being pursued by cops as I floored a ’69 GTO down the highway with a half dozen leather vested hell-raisers on Harley's laying waste to all in our path with Hyne as our soundtrack. The S/T track “Elements” was a bit of an about face after the first three burners left hot rubber up and down my living room walls, with it’s catchy as all hell vocals and was a definite standout for me. That son-of-a-gunderson kept rolling around in my head and out of my mouth for days. Awesome. Bearish and commanding vocals easily fit here taking me by the neck and demanding me to shout and sing along. All the way up and down this album!The guitar work as well seriously shines with a mix rock, blues, and heavy ass ‘70’s riffs galore!
“Dead men” threw in a psychedelic edge and by the time “Pieces of the universe” came screaming outta my dented sanyos I panicked realizing I was staring at more empty scattered beer cans than full cold ones in the ice chest. This made me come to the conclusion the Hyne demand beers to be inhaled at a desperate yet unworried rate.To me albums like this are made for road trips with a ton of beer and fire. There are songs here for most every mood and quality ones at that. Solid.
Words: Matt Berube
Hyne @ Bandcamp