It's not often that you hear a Dream Theater/Symphony X inspired progressive metal act with a lead female vocalist, but that's exactly what you get on Hybris, the brand new release from Swiss act Atomic Symphony. Hybris is the bands third studio release, and features the talents of vocalist Jasmin Baggenstos, guitarist Roberto Barlocci, keyboard player Carlo Beltrame, bassist Thomas Spoegler, and drummer Marc Friedrich. This latest release contains six new songs (well, really five if you don't include the brief opening "Overture") that sees the band dishing out a wide assortment of crunchy riff-o-rama, haunting keys, a decent amount of solo spots, but more importantly, lots of atmosphere and vocals sections where Jasmin truly shines. "Nightfall" is a 10-minute powerhouse, the keys so well placed, the riffs huge, and those vocals...soaring to the heavens. "Oath Taker" is the other big epic on the album, and hits even harder, with crushing riffs, Deep Purple inspired organ, and those enchanting vocals, which, surprisingly, the music as a whole doesn't go down the usual Nightwish, Delain, Epic route, but keeps things in line with what you would expect from Vanden Plas, Symphony X, Dream Theater, Symphony X, or Seventh Wonder. "Metamorphosis" is another strong track here, the lead synth work outstanding, as are the booming riffs, while the fast paced title track absolutely crushes. Closer "Chimera" is where things slow down quite a bit and fall into more expected melodic symphonic metal territory, but it's still a really fine track, and again, Jasmin sounds wonderful amidst all the orchestra metal sounds.
Really good stuff here on Hybris, from the songs, the playing, right down to the production, and I can totally see labels like Napalm, Nuclear Blast, Metal Blade, or Frontiers knocking at Atomic Symphony's door before long.
Track Listing
1.
Overture 01:34
2.
Nightfall 10:02
3.
Oath Taker 12:12
4.
Metamorphosis 05:23
5.
HYBRIS 05:45
6.
Chimera 07:33
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