Hypnopilot – Final EP (Self-Release)
By Jay Snyder
September 20, 2009
Calgary’s Hypnopilot are not a band to overanalyze. Sometimes my fingers go wacky, and the result is a sprawling, type-written diatribe that tries to go the distance and give you as much information as possible. Although, there are those times when keeping it simple is the best method. That’s what I’m going to try and do here.
I was introduced to this formidable threesome with their second disc,
Evergreen. It was just what the doctor ordered for the summer of 2008, as it found the band dialed in on driving, efficient grooves with just a touch of the wraparound riffing found on both Tool’s
Undertow and the Kyuss landmark
Welcome to Sky Valley. There was a noticeable psychedelic undercurrent fueling the whole affair, but the soulful crooning and sturdy, locked-on grooves were befitting of outfits such as Floodgate, Fu Manchu and Magnified Eye. Heavy stuff that gets a bit heady on occasion too, walking a fine line between the straightforward and the blissfully spaced out; to reduce that statement to lowest terms,
Evergreen was just how I like my rocked-out, stoner friendly action.
Unfortunately 2009 will signal the end of this quality trio. Matthew (vocals/guitar), Cory (bass/vocal) and Garwin (drums) have chosen to close up shop and ground Hypnopilot permanently. As a thank you for the interest and support, the band recorded three final tracks that are available as a free download on their site. Apparently these tracks might pop up on a split release at some point, but in the meantime you can download ‘em, burn ‘em and do whatever you want with ‘em. Well don’t go posting them on your own personal website, because that frankly wouldn’t be too hot unless you asked the band first…but you get the idea!
“Rolling On” continues in the classic Hypnopilot tradition with a stellar, 70 inflected stoner riff. It’s the kind of catchy groove that bands like Kyuss and Fu Manchu made their bread n’ butter, with killer, accented singing standing front n’ center above a thick, rhythmic plow. This track is total smoothness all the way, with a gripping lead lick really catching the ear and sealing the deal right after the 4 minute mark. Driving is the most accurate description I can come up with, as I’ve cranked this one tearing ass to Pittsburgh more than a time or two since I’ve first heard it.
The thundering, sonic groove and hammering drums (they’re much louder than on “Rolling On”) of “When the Sun is King” ups the ante in everyway from the previous tune, and is actually my favorite Hypnopilot number to date. This is the kind of shit that defined that classic 90’s, stoner rock movement and is easily on par with the mighty hymns from the Man’s Ruin, Smallstone and The Music Cartel juggernauts. The riffs are carved from pure iron and take on the darker side of Kyuss and Tool with a little bit of Sabbath thrown in for good measure. Fuzzy, emotional riffs hook you in right from the get go while the stew-y rhythmic shuffle makes this one heavier than a ten ton sack of bricks. Melodic guitar leads cast one eye to the open night sky, and shade this baby in with an expansive, psychedelic mood and make it a song that’ll certainly pop on more than a few mix discs, since you can burn these gems and arrange ‘em how you see fit. Gelling well with the former, “Winter’s Last Breath” is a heady, heavy instrumental that balances equally the brooding, fuzzy riffage with an eerie, atmospheric flourish.
It’s always sad to see a good band go, but Hypnopilot at least left us one more monument to remember them by. This final EP is a culmination of two recorded albums and a series of live gigs, and it showcases the progression made by the band during each phase of their existence. I’m sure (at least I hope I’m sure!) that we’ll be seeing these boys again in other incarnations, but Hypnopilot will always be remembered for their earth-moving grooves and powerful, melodic inflections. A fine legacy indeed, so anyone who has been remotely interested in the band, but hasn’t had the scratch to make the pilgrimage, there is no reason as to why you shouldn’t check out this EP. It’s free, and if you continue to ignore the band at this point, it’s just plain laziness! Take a little time and check out a band that brought the vintage stoner sound from the 90’s into the modern age unscathed. Goodbye brothers and good luck!
Visit the Hypnopilot website at www.hypnopilot.net
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