Interview Hyperia

Celebrating the release of their latest album, "The Serpent’s Cycle," Hyperia's frontman discusses the creative challenges, personal themes, and the band's evolution in this interview. From intense thrash metal to Hybeeria Lager, Deathbringer Hot Sauce, and a visually striking album cover, they share insights into their unique journey. The upcoming live show promises high energy, surprises, and a charitable twist. With positive reviews and future plans for extensive touring, Hyperia aims to establish their distinct sound across the global metal scene.

1. Congratulations on the release of your latest album, "The Serpent’s Cycle"! Can you tell us about the creative process and inspiration behind the album, especially considering it's a departure from your previous concept albums?

Thank you! This album was a little different than our first 2 albums for a few reasons. One major thing was that we parted ways with our old Guitarist and Bassist just a couple of months leading up to the album recording, which meant I had to record all of the guitar parts, along with the fact we didn't get to jam and work on the songs collectively leading up to the recording. I don't think this affected me too much, considering I was always the primary songwriter, but I think it definitely gave a different vibe to the album which I'm not upset about. Lyrically, Marlee (vocals) got quite a bit more personal on this album regarding issues she has been through or just a general venting about personal and societal issues.

2. The album boasts a diverse range of lyrical themes, including the human condition, philosophy, psychology, and partying. How did these topics come together, and what message do you hope listeners take away from the album as a whole?

These themes have been fairly present in our music since the beginning, however, this time around I feel that the perspective of the lyrics is more personal - rather than being through the eyes of another person in a story (which we've done a fair amount of in the first 2 records). I think there's a general growing feeling of annoyance in the general public that has come to light over the past few years regarding many aspects of society and we feel it as well. The party vibe has always been there too, and I think we agree that as serious as we are as a band, we still like to have fun and want people to see that side of the band as well.

3. Hyperia has collaborated with Main Street Brewing Co. for the "Hybeeria Ouroboros Lager," which will be exclusively available at your upcoming shows. How did this collaboration come about, and how would you describe the beer's taste and its connection to your music?

We actually had a Hybeeria before back in 2019 with another brewery in our old city of Calgary, and it's something that we've wanted to do again since then. The branding of our own beer ties closely with the band's image and it's overall just a cool thing to have. We reached out to a few breweries in our city and Main Street Brewing Co. had the most appealing offer - as well as great beer to boot. The beer is a really smooth and easy drinking Lager, something we wanted to make sure was easily slammable before running into the mosh pit.

4. In addition to the beer, your drummer Aaron Bell has co-created "Deathbringer Hot Sauce." Can you share the story behind the hot sauce, its unique ingredients, and how it reflects the band's personality?

Aaron and his friend have been into growing hot peppers as a hobby for a few years now, but this year between the 2 of them they grew some massive amount of pepper plants and decided to officially turn it into a business. Deathbringer Hot Sauce is an insanely hot but also very tasty Tropical Hot Sauce that is made from Carolina Reapers, Ghost Peppers, Trinidad Scorpion Peppers, Local Honey, and some tropical fruit. Everything except the tropical fruit is organic and locally grown and sourced.

5. "The Serpent’s Cycle" features intense thrash metal with melodic vocals and intricate guitar work. How did the band evolve stylistically for this album, and what challenges and rewards did you encounter during the recording process?

I think our sound has had a natural progression throughout the years. We have all grown immensely as writers and musicians and I think that is pretty obvious when looking back at our older releases. I wouldn't say any of these changes have been conscious, as I always write whatever feels natural and comes to me in the moment while trying not to put too much thought into it. The recording process went quite smoothly, every member was at the top of their game and well-rehearsed which made the sessions run smoothly. I can't say there were really any challenges, aside from the usual tricky parts that just took a few more takes to nail down.

6. You mentioned that this album pushed you to your limits. Can you share a specific moment during the recording where you felt challenged but ultimately satisfied with the outcome?

I think just the technicality of each instrument was pushed much further than our previous albums. I've heard from almost every drummer we've had in the band how difficult the drum parts are and the amount of double-kick drums and speed required to play the songs. I watched this album frustrate some of the best musicians I've ever played with, but I also watched them overcome it and perform some insanely impressive parts.

7. The album cover art was done by Caitlin Delaplace. How does the artwork align with the themes of the album, and what was the collaboration process like between the band and the artist?

Caitlin is one of the band's closest friends, so working with her was incredibly easy and straightforward. We basically gave her our ideas and drafted a terribly drawn idea of what we wanted, and then she took that and made it a million times better. We wanted there to be a serious vibe to the artwork, and we wanted it to be yellow. It has a kind of apocalyptic feel and a sense of abandonment and emptiness and overall it's my favourite artwork we've had as a band.

8. Your upcoming album launch show in Vancouver on December 15th is eagerly anticipated. What can fans expect from the live performance, and are there any surprises or special elements you've prepared for the audience?

We will be playing all new songs for this album aside from 2 songs from our previous album,. Fans can expect a typical high-energy and thrashy show from a brand-new lineup of top-tier musicians. We've been putting tons of work into our rehearsals and I couldn't be happier with the results. As far as surprises, the main ones were the new Hybeeria, Deathbringer Hot Sauce, as well as a couple of other fun ideas that we will be revealing at the show. There will also be a 50/50 raffle for the BC SPCA.

9. Hyperia has received positive reviews from various sources, including Decibel Magazine, Power Play Magazine, and more. How does it feel to see such positive feedback, and how do you think "The Serpent’s Cycle" distinguishes itself in the thrash metal scene?

It feels great, getting recognition for something you've put so much effort into is definitely a good feeling. I think the album has been distinguished by all the reviews for the exact reasons we were hoping - melodic harmonies mixed with aggressive thrash and dynamic vocals. It's something we take pride in and feel we have developed an interesting sound for the band that we only plan to establish and continue down the road.

10. Looking ahead, what are the band's goals and aspirations for the future? Any upcoming tours, collaborations, or projects that fans can look forward to in the coming year?

We have lots of cool announcements coming soon regarding some awesome shows, tours, and festivals. We plan to hit up as much of Europe and North America (and beyond) as we can in 2024 and want to play as many shows as possible in support of the new record!

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The Serpent's Cycle | Hyperia (bandcamp.com)