Legacy by Hypnos 69, a beautiful album of pure psychedelic space rock released in 2010.
Hypnos 69 is a Belgian band founded in 1994 by brothers Steve and Dave Houtmeyers and Tom Vanlaer, who disbanded in 2012. Their music is a splendid fusion of classic rock and the psychedelic and progressive rock influences of the '60s and '70s, with jazz and space rock accents characterizing their sound. Heavy, driving riffs, high-energy guitar solos, and melancholic moments are emphasized by the extensive use of saxophone and mellotron.
Legacy is an excellent album, with a refined sound, great guitar riffs, and instrumental sections featuring saxophone, clarinet, and vintage keyboards, creating melodic compositions with a high emotional impact. A prog album that, for me as a fan of this genre, is also their best album.
A few notes on my favorite tracks
- "Requiem (For a Dying Creed)" opens the album; at 17 minutes, it's a truly impressive introduction.
- "An Aerial Architect" has a '70s rock sound with great saxophone solos.
- "My Journey to the Stars" is one of my favorite tracks; great psychedelic and space rock.
- "The Great Work" is an epic, magnificent track that closes the album. It lasts 18 fantastic minutes, its parts taking their names from the different stages described in alchemical tradition for the production of the Philosopher's Stone.
- "The Empty Hourglass" is also noteworthy, a complex and long piece that showcases the band's repertoire of styles.
Space, prog, and psychedelic influences, mellotron and synthesizers, with an extraordinary Steven Marx on saxophone worthy of the most celebrated bands of the '70s.
Without a doubt, a masterpiece. A thrilling album and artwork worthy of a frame.
Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.
Tracklist
1. Requiem (for a Dying Creed) (17:51) :
- a) Within This Spell
- b) Visions / Within This Spell (reprise)
- c) A Requiem for You
2. An Aerial Architect (6:47)
3. My Journey to the Stars (6:53)
4. The Sad Destiny We Lament (4:57)
5. The Empty Hourglass (10:47)
6. Jerusalem (6:51)
7. The Great Work (18:27) :
- a) Nigredo: Corruption, Dissolution, Individuation
- b) Albedo: Purifications, Burnout of Impurity; The Moon, Female
- c) Citrinita: Spiritualisation, Enlightenment; The Sun, Male
- d) Rubedo: Unification of Man with God and the Limited with the Unlimited
Duration 72:33
LineUp
- Steve Houtmeyers - vocals, guitars, theremin
- Steven Marx - saxophone, clarinet, Fender Rhodes, Hammond, Mellotron
- Tom Vanlaer - bass, Hammond, Fender Rhodes, Moog Taurus
- Dave Houtmeyers - drums, percussion, timpani, glockenspiel, synthesizers
