HUBRIS. - METEMPSYCHOSIS
Following their captivating 2017 sophomore release Apocryphal Gravity, the Fribourg, Switzerland post-rock group hubris. return with a new set of lush, spacious compositions that further explore their unique, increasingly expansive soundscape and invite listeners to lose themselves in the warm, enveloping tones that paint their vibrant sonic canvas. Metempsychosis unfolds with the boundless possibilities of a vivid dream, simultaneously beholden only to its own ever-evolving creative sensibilities but possessing a sharp clarity and commanding presence. Oftentimes as listeners we look to music to achieve a feeling of Sehnsucht, nostalgically yearning for an abstract experience that is not our own. Metempsychosis inherently presents as the ideal aural representation of hurtling through space, unburdened by corporeal form. There is a considerable depth and sense of limitlessness, a composure in building impactful melodies paired with a purposeful and propulsive focus on groove. The resulting record has a definitive, celestial aura about it, and succeeds at inspiring introspection as well as emotional and physical release.
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hubris. consistently excel at taking nebulous atmospherics and giving them shape, definition, and emotional impact. They display the confidence of their convictions to allow ideas the proper time and space to develop, and their patience becomes as important to the record’s success as their moments of dramatic crescendo. The development of each track is consistently entrancing. Witness the echoing, dreamy central melody that introduces “Dionysus,” which is then supplemented by a krautrock-style drum beat that seems to run counter but is actually the perfect complement; then as this beat works its way into the listener’s brain, more and more components are added. Pulsing bass and synth join, and finally an explosive layer of additional guitar that brings the song to the edge of chaos before it all breaks down and begins rebuilding to yet another rousing climax, which in turn is then followed by a placid outro. The entire record plays out in such fashion, mimicking the ebb and flow, the rise and fall of waves on the ocean, flowing back and forth between hypnotizing and overwhelming.
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Metempsychosis refers to the transmigration of the soul after death to a new body, which feels appropriate as this is a record as much about the meditation that happens on the journey as it is about the ultimate destination, possessing the perfect balance of contemplative drifting and cathartic soaring. It’s an album that is thematically and sonically about letting go and finding yourself anew. Where Apocryphal Gravity stands as a statement of purpose for the band, this album sees them fully establishing themselves as artists with a distinctive vision, style and aesthetic that you recognize the moment you hear it.
PICTURES
BIOGRAPHY
“Hubris.” is a Swiss post-rock band originating from Fribourg. Formed in 2014, the instrumental quartet is characterised by their original style which blends an experimental touch of post-rock, electronica atmosphere and some elements of the metal scene.
They draw their inspiration from bands like Jakob, This Will Destroy You, Tides of Man orJon Hopkins amongst others. With their style evoking introspection, hubris. characterise themselves with the length of their compositions, allowing a range of evolving emotions through softness and power.
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Sometimes compared with other artists like Sigur Rós or Long Distance Calling, the band calls forth emotions of its audience due to a heterogeneous musical landscape mixing poetic ambiance and raw energy.
On the 2nd of May 2015, hubris. released their first opus “Emersion” along-side the New Zealander post-rock band Jakob. The album was well-received by various medias outlets, obtaining several reviews from webzines and newspaper as well as being aired on multiple radio stations.
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In April 2017, hubris. came out with a second album called “Apocryphal Gravity”. This album sports a brand new set of colours. Their musical approach took a new turn with a drastic change in their method of composing. The band sets forth a musical style rarely explored to this day, breaching pre-established post-rock conventions by incorporating electronica influences. This album was critically acclaimed and aroused the interest of more than half a million eager listeners on the internet as well as being the subject of many press articles.
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The band's third album « Metempsychosis » was released on March 13 - 2020 through the Australian label Art as Catharsis, the first day of Switzerland's lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Once again, the album was extremely well-received by the band's fanbase and was reviewed by many different independent magazines and webzines. It was only on October 3rd of the same year that hubris. finally held their release party which was a great success despite the sanitary restrictions. The EU release tour of Metempsychosis took place in November 2021 and included over 10 shows from France to Hungary.
VIDEOS
REVIEWS
"We are musically near of Leech, Sigur Rós or Long Distance Calling. hubris. has its proper identity, something which is not given to all the bands in this particular musical genre. With a sound reaching its ambitions, ‘Emersion’ deserve its place in the pictures of post-rock."
daily-rock.com
" The rest of this album is just as skilful. This band plays all across the post rock smorgasbord, rather than sticking to classic tricks and compartmentalizing their music. The result is something fresh, young, hopeful and dedicated with immediately captured my heart and mind. I’m calling it now: this is the breakout post rock act of the year."
heavyblogisheavy.com
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"The album shows extremely wonderful melodies and denotes a band absolutely in tune with each member. This album hits you from the very first listen, but the experience continues to improve at every further listening."
10wavesofyou.com
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"Apocyphal Gravity has a mastery of composition and recording techniques “Deimos To Phobos” is a two part piece that has extremely pleasant harmonics to listen to. Actually that album is very good for doing some work, it has that disengaging lift up, it actually makes you feel good. I can’t argue that it gets repetitive at times, but that is not exactly so, it progresses, the vibe changes, some chord progressions are going forward, I can congratulate that effort, it is awesome."
djentmag.com
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“It’s a real shame that the words aren’t as descriptive as the sounds on this record, because there is just no other way of transmitting the genuine awe that lives inside of it except by listening to it. This is one of the best rock albums I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing […].”
everythingisnoise.net
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“In the end you end up with an experience so grand that you almost want to cry. [Metempsychosis] is a really beautiful album that more people should hear.”
battlehelm.com
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