Fresh under our radar with a new EP under their belts, London alt rock four-piece HYMNS deliver epic ethereal rock.
With thick Baritone vocals and rousing choral hooks, the band’s music has infectious guitars and driving bass lines which are appropriately bittersweet.
The latest EP, Reset, plucks from a wealth of genres and pop culture references. Well-aimed social commentary with foreboding moments of theatrical guitar hero pageantry, all the while satisfying a convincing mission statement.
The four track Reset EP sees the band delve deeper into their signature flavour of atmospheric rock, broadening their musical palette and employing elements of Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd and Nine Inch Nails, to name a few.
Speaking of the EP, HYMNS frontman Oliver Hooper said: “Written in a time of great political and social unrest, people continue to celebrate and prioritise capital gain and empty technological breakthroughs (colonizing Mars, etc) at the expense of humanity and our ‘own’ planet earth. The song is a call to arms for change before it’s too late.”
HYMNS document the inherent solitude of inner city living, the band have since been looking outwards, obliged to think bigger about the sinister direction of today’s global politics. Combining traditional nylon strings with rhythmic, discordant electric guitars, ‘Concrete Skies’ is an immersive journey that champions good in the face of adversity.
Next up is ‘Sirens’, an ode to the fragility of human life inspired by a tragic incident the band witnessed on the London Underground. The track pulls from a rich history of abrasive guitar styles inspired by heavyweights such as Gang of Four, Sonic Youth, Joy Division and Interpol.
The EP closes with ‘Wrong’ – an inner conflict between head and heart where broken morals and insecurities wrestle to break free. The sparse arrangements and anthemic verse lyrics combine to deliver a suitably cathartic finale.
Woven from stories of personal experience, HYMNS’ music is unapologetic honesty to the weight of their music’s sturdy foundations. Comprising of Oliver Hooper [lead vocals & guitar], Giorgio Compagnone [bass guitar & keys], Amy Chapman [drums & backing vocals] and Filippo Ferazzoli [guitar], the group are becoming a well-etablished London rock outfit.
