Well, Hypno5e are a band from Montpellier, France. The formed in 2003, released two records, played a number of live-shows (with high-end visuals) and crawled back into the studio to record this album. Furthermore, Hypno5e do not care what music they make, as long as it's compelling, emotive and organic. While the whole can be seen as 'cinematic metal', which blends post-stuff with heaviness, there is a lot more to it.
In can indeed hear glimpses from the sludge metal scene and certainly loads of post rock elements. I do understand why those bands I mentioned earlier are in the biography, but I would also add Deftones, Tool, Fear Factory, Dream Theater, Opeth, Maybeshewill and A Place To Bury Strangers to that list. The technical level is immense, resulting in complex songs, enhanced by samples, keyboards and electronics. Vocals too range from almost Radiohead or Sigur Ros singing to crushing outbursts of brutality.
The album confuses me, which is a good thing. Only bad music can leave me emotionless. Perhaps 'Shores Of The Abstract Line' is the new incarnation of metal, the next step in the evolution of the world's most varied musical style. Yes, I do hear several influences but this stuff has its own identity and perhaps deserves his own tag. 'Cinematic metal' could probably be correct. I could also be the reason why I refuse to go into the songs separately. This simply is one immense story, a challenging concept.
Now, the main question remains: who do I recommend this to? I honestly have no idea but perhaps every fan over everything between post-rock and death metal should have a good listen to this. Certainly metalheads who have Pink Floyd albums in their collection should check this out. Hell, everyone should check this out and allow himself or herself to get immersed into the wonderful and hypnotic world that these guys have created.
​Serge