ALBUM REVIEW: Helichrysum – Hippie Death Cult
A product of one of the most vibrant music scenes in the entirety of the USA, HIPPIE DEATH CULT burst on the scene in 2019 waving the flag for Portland, Oregon as one of the city’s most passionate and electrifying live bands. Since their debut album 111, the band have gone through a number of changes and evolutions in their short life, most notably downsizing from a fairly solid four-piece to a more cohesive power trio. Their new album Helichrysum is a step forward into a new dawn whilst using the scars of the past as motivation to grow into a higher consciousness of self.
Named after the helichrysum plant (which also goes by the names everlasting, immortelle, and strawflower) and symbolising endurance, healing, immortality and the power to overcome adversity, HIPPIE DEATH CULT’s third album is all about transformation and growth, focusing on the human experience and exploring the wounds that we all carry alongside looking into the transformative powers that each one of us possesses. Helichrysum is a fervently passionate and empowering album that encourages you to look to your own strengths and question everything that doesn’t align with the journey that you’re on.
Helichrysum marks a significant milestone for HIPPIE DEATH CULT, their first outing as a power trio with bassist Laura Phillips taking over sole vocal duties for the first time. Phillips’ vocal talents are being given the opportunity to truly shine and she has taken that opportunity with vehement ruthlessness. Nothing is off the table in terms of vocal experimentation, as she can handle delicate psychedelic melodies and hard rock belts and screeches with ease.
Compared to the band’s last outing – 2021’s Circle Of Days – Helichrysum is much more concise, punchy and focused in its approach, moving away from the lysergic jamming formula in favour of earthier, bluesier and grittier proto-metal and proto-doom riffing. It also has a new and alluring franticness to it – a departure from meandering slowness in favour of up-tempo, sharp, vivacious and ballsy songwriting. This feels much more befitting of HIPPIE DEATH CULT’s grander vision; Helichrysum is unapologetically deep, emotive and heavy, showcasing an artistic growth that is uninhibited from flourishing.
The aforementioned symbology of the helichrysum plant perfectly mirrors the lyrical themes of the album. One example would be lead single and opening track Arise, which takes on the subject of self-proclaimed spiritual leaders who exploit vulnerable individuals searching for guidance. They often leave their followers more delusional than before. The song’s central protagonist sees through charismatic manipulation and breaks the chains of illusion. The song also serves as reminder to question things and to follow your gut instincts whilst navigating your path towards your truth.
There is also a harkening back to the halcyon days of 1970s proto-metal and bluesy, edgy psychedelia, with Phillips’ vocals embodying an ethereal, ritual quality whilst Eddie Brnabic’s guitars weave hypnotically around and through Phillips’ dynamic baselines and Harry Silver’s John Bonham-esque drumming. You get an overwhelming sense of nostalgia whilst simultaneously receiving an adrenaline rush as this feels like the beginning of a new era for HIPPIE DEATH CULT’s earthy brand of metal.
Opening with the aforementioned Arise, the album kicks off with powerful chugging and gristly distortion. Groove-laden melodies set to half-time drums create an intimidating atmosphere as Phillips belts out the lyrics. Shadows opens with a bustling drum groove as the band venture into psychedelic atmospheres reminiscent of their past albums; whilst they have moved on from their past they haven’t forgotten their roots and Shadows represents an embracement of the past and the need to acknowledge it fully before you move on. Better Days contains an uneasy psychedelia, as if coming out of a hazy patch, the song channels the exhaustion of battling yourself but the desire to progress, dig deep and keep going. It is an anthemic ode to never giving up despite the darkness.
Red Giant returns to the frantic, big riffs. A dizzying ascending and descending riff feels like the adrenaline rush when you push yourself. Fast paced and earthy, the track is an empowering, psyching up song that can help you take on anything. Toxic Annihilator carries on the frantic riffing but takes a darker turn, channelling darker metal vibes and unleashing them with devastating power. Nefelibata follows a BLACK SABBATH style path, a slow swagger with devil tritone riffs accompanied by Iommi-esque hammer ons and pull offs. Album closer Tomorrow’s Sky is an uplifting, atmospheric finish to an album packed with the growing pains of change, but instead of running from change HIPPIE DEATH CULT have embraced it wholeheartedly.
Helichrysum is an album that embodies growth and change in all its negative and positive aspects. Its message is clear and HIPPIE DEATH CULT have adapted to life as a power trio brilliantly. An exciting new era has dawned for the Portland rockers.
Rating: 8/10
Helichrysum is set for release on October 20th via Heavy Psych Sounds.
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