Found yet another excellent female – fronted metal band. Their name is Hypersonic, and they play, symphonic, masterful, cinematic, hyper metal! Their new album is Kaosmogonia, and it was released on the 12th of April, on Rockshots Records.
Hypersonic, is a powerhouse Italian, symphonic metal band founded in 2006 by Salvo Grasso and Emanuele Gangemi. They have achieved a lot since then, with their dream of creating unique, powerful, and epic music. Kaosmogonia has given me more thrills than I can remember since I first heard Phantom Elite’s epic Titanium.
Kaosmogonia, brings new lead singer, Eleonora Russo, to the forefront with a stage all her own…most of the time. When she is not alone, she is supported well with Salvo Grasso. Kaosmogonia incorporates a powerful symphonic orchestra and explores new influences, like choirs and a symphonic soundscape which never leaves the background. They do create a rich and diverse sonic landscape. “The concept for Kaosmogonia is a total musical experience deeply connected to Greek philosophy. The title, a fusion of “Kaos” and “Cosmos,” represents the dual nature of humanity—chaotic and ordered. The album explores the interplay between chaos and cosmos, mirroring the Greek understanding of the world”.
Hypersonic is made up of: Eleonora Russo, on lead vocals; Salvo Grasso, on drums, vocals and orchestral arrangements; Emanuele Gangemi, on guitars; Francesco Caruso, on bass; and Dario Caruso, on keyboards.
“The album goes beyond the musical realm, delving into the complexities of human emotions, reflections on life, and the impact of historical events. It aims to express the spectrum of human experiences, from restlessness and melancholy to hope and the positive aspects of life. Kaosmogonia, is not just an album; it’s a musical odyssey that invites metal enthusiasts to explore diverse sonic landscapes, cinematic arrangements, and profound storytelling”.
Kaosmogonia, also features some famous guest musicians, including: Mark Jansen (Epica), Francesco Paoli and Francesco Ferrini (Fleshgod, Apocalypse), Emma Zoldan and Nils Courbaron (Sirenia), the male choir from Teatro Massimo Bellini (Catania-Italy) and more. The artwork was created by the great graphic designer Heilemania (Epica, Kamelot, Lindemann, Turilli/Lione Rhapsody).
The album opens with a symphonic intro, “Ápeiron”, full of choirs, powerful drumming, strings, horns, and keyboards. Welcome back my friends…to the amazing show!
“Angels and Demons”, picks right up where “Ápeiron” left off. Symphonic music, with no instruments spared. A speed moving track with Eleonora Russo singing, and Salvo Grasso’s vocal support.
Then…the best song on the album, by a long shot. Maybe one of the best songs, of the year….so far! Certainly the most pertinent, with all that we have watched unfold in the Middle East. The video for “Veil Of Insanity”, must be seen. An epic anti-war song, full of grit, metal guitars, choirs, heavy bass, massive speed drums, keyboards and a symphony of magic, as a backing soundscape. Eleonora Russo and Salvo Grasso sing the powerful anti-violence lyrics, set to that Middle-Eastern beat and rhythm. This song is a reason to buy the album in itself! At almost 7 minutes, this one truly sets up the soundscape perfectly, with Eleonora singing what sounds like Arabic. Then the tapping drums, before the heavy metal flies, abandon! Everything you could want in an epic Kashmir-like song, filled with an important anti-war, and empathetic message.
“Mother Earth”, is another of the best songs on the album. The video is difficult to watch with its violence. But the song itself is great and full of soft beautiful keyboards at its opening. The brass sounds great as it heralds the whipping punch of the drums and heavy guitars. Eleonora Russo sings, “Give me a son who will shine”. Then an awesome lead electric guitar solo ensues. It is followed by some incredible keyboard playing, before the backing soundscape and symphonic sounds fills the air.
“You Bastard”, is the hardest and toughest song on the album. Full of guttural growling and groaning, later. The song definitely lives up to its title. Eleonora Russo has her moments at the beginning of the song, along with Salvo’s accompaniment. The keyboards and symphonics are wonderful, along with the choirs. If only symphonic metal bands would give up the growling, to the death metal bands…Hopefully, one day.
“My Sacrifice”, is another epic and powerful piece of symphonic music. More growling and grunting, but not as bad as the last song. A much better song overall. Returning to the album’s opening. But a song full of conflict. Eleonora Russo and Salvo Grasso save this one with their duets, along with the symphonic music and choirs. A true battle of epic music proportions ensues. Glorious full strength electric metal guitar thunder fills the soundscape. Russo and Grasso sound like a heavier version of a male/female combo; like they have at Visions of Atlantis.
Finally, beautiful piano and an opportunity to enjoy, Eleonora Russo’s vocals on “Alone”. A beautiful Evanescence-like song. But this song is full of orchestration and choirs, Soft strings and an orchestral sound that will make you think you are watching a cinema classic. The lyrics fit the epic nature of the music coming at you full speed. Italian spoken word concludes the song, with wonderful strings and piano. Found another great female singer in Eleonora Russo. This is her showcase.
“Path Of Salvation”, also has a lyric video with its release. This one opens with full force speed drumming, dramatic choirs, brass, and a soundscape full of electric power. The keyboard playing really sets this band apart from some of the recent bands I’ve reviewed. An Italian opera-like sound fills your ears with the kind of music you were always hoping you’d hear more of, from this Mediterranean country. Back to the kind of music which filled the first part of the album. Great, epic music set, to great lyrics and storytelling…without growling and guttural junk. The bass playing is amazing. Then, Dario Caruso hits you with those keyboards, that take you back to the greats like Banks and Wakeman. Please! More of this on the next album!
“Against Myself”, opens with full – on choirs chanting, drums full speed and power guitar. Then, Eleonora Russo takes over singing, as the pace slows for her. Then, it picks up, and she almost sounds like the best of Phantom Elite from their best album, Titanium. The pairing of Russo and Grasso is absolutely perfect.
“Revelation”, is an epic song, just like you’d expect, with that title. The speed drumming, those powerful choirs, it is amazing! Then, Eleonora Russo sings and it does remind me, more and more of Marina La Torraca. But this band has choirs, and a more dynamic sound than Phantom Elite. It sounds like chariots full of instrumentalist behind them. Another powerful song, making me feel the power I felt when I first heard Titanium. I haven’t heard that power since Phantom Elite’s best album. However, Hypersonic have loaded this album, with much more imagination and glittering symphonic metal. Definitely, an epic for the ages! Rivalling even Xandria’s Neverworld’s End…maybe…
“Burning Inside”, is an over 7 minute instrumental. At least that is how is begins. Then, Eleonora Russo sings, softly at first, then more commanding as she continues. Yes, this will be another of the epics off this album. An absolutely song full of thunder, including Eleonora’s voice. Maybe this was supposed to be the epic closer. The lyrics sound like it. The orchestration and that blistering lead electric guitar, then a brilliant keyboard solo to add on to it. Eleonora Russo seems to be singing to someone she loves and wants to live with forever. Then, they slow it down with epic piano and a soundscape that sounds like a movie soundtrack.
“Anima”, opens with slow, beautiful piano keys. The kind of epic closer you remember from the best of the 1970s and 1980s. At times the keys even conjure Queen or even more recently Muse’ Resistance album. Exceptional playing that absolutely sealed the deal and made this one of the best albums of 2024!
Then, to make sure you never forget this album, they add a dynamic orchestral version of “Mother Earth”, complete with Italian words and some of the most cinematic music on the album. What a way to put a stamp on this one! Fantastic!
Hypersonic’s Kaosmogonia, is one of the best metal albums I have heard this year! It is almost like hearing Phantom Elite’s Titanium for the first time. An album packed with firepower and an intricate storyline. “Kaosmogonia, is not just an album; it’s a musical odyssey that invites metal enthusiasts to explore diverse sonic landscapes, cinematic arrangements, and profound storytelling”. That is what Hypersonic’s PR kit said. And I absolutely agree. Dynamic and full range music, that leaves nothing behind for the next album. They piled it all in here big, and immense. With a symphonic and cinematic sound you will never forget. More of this, please. Operatic at times. Fans and new fans get the full meal deal here, for sure. The choirs only add to the vitality of this music. Hypersonic really planned this album out perfectly. No errors, just hits and home runs! I have to interview this band. And hopefully they bring along keyboardist Dario Caruso. Thank you Rockshots records and Hypersonic for Kaosmogonia. I will be buying it soon. Absolutely gold symphonic metal, full of operatic and cinematic sound, the way I always envisioned it should sound.
Track List:
1. Ápeiron
2. Angels & Demons
3. Veil Of Insanity
4. Mother Earth
5. You Bastard
6. My Sacrifice
7. Alone
8. Path Of Salvation
9. Against Myself
10. Revelation
11. Burning Inside
12. Anima
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/hypersonicband
https://shop.rockshots.eu/en/cd/6851-hypersonic-kaosmogonia.html
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5qJIjvivoz/?locale=zh_tw&hl=am-et
https://www.instagram.com/hypersonic_metalband/?hl=en
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/@RockshotsRec