Review: “In Disbelief” by Hilltops Are For Dreamers

From humble beginnings in London in 2018, Greek duo Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos (Guitars, Bass, Keys, Programming) and Dionysus Maratos (Programming) rose to prominence at the spine of Hilltops Are For Dreamers with two well received EPs in 2020’s self titled which saw them joined by XYears vocalist Mike Buttigieg before July of the same year saw a follow up split with Repent for Joy titled “A Transition” and the participation of Michael Enger on vocals. The quality of the music they created together was there for all to see so their signing to Italian label Rockshots Records for their debut album “In Disbelief” came as no surprise, however what does is the band describing the record as being a world of extremes and vastly different to the band’s musical past, blending Black Metal with acoustic Blues melodies, that flirt with progressive structures and heavy riffing, along with exploring electronic and cinematic paths, while often visiting their Post-Hardcore roots. Rather than a concept, the record is meant to be a journey from a gloomy emotional state to a possible healing point through the process of realization…

Some of the bands previous work had a clear Melodic Death Metal influence however opening cut “Silence” begins in rip roaring Black Metal fashion with blast beats and atmospheric riffs cascading down from above as Enger delivers the kind of vocal performance that turns heads. A mid track melodic drop out into Progressive Metal meets Blues melodies is in keeping with the bands description of their evolved sound and makes for a spellbinding moment before the cold North winds rise once more. The slick transition between the two styles is impressive and works incredibly well despite being one that on paper sounds like a burning train wreck waiting to happen. In similar fashion the rule book is thrown completely out of the window with “Severe Serenity” which seamlessly blends styles in an unpredictable holding pattern, Enger bringing another caustic vocal performance around a Post-Hardcore sung bridge, the band moving from Black Metal through a staccato riff breakdown section to a Progressive almost shoegazing Metal finale to fade. Again, it should sound like a mess on paper but the way in which the movements have been constructed within the confines of each track make for sublime Avant-garde listening that is joyfully unexpected, less Dillinger Escape Plan chaotic movements and more from the playbook of bands like Boston Progressive Metallers Wilderun. Three tracks deep we get “Healing After The Fall” which takes the listener further down the rabbit hole while sounding like a more complete vision as it moves from the soulful and soothing Jazz inspired opening through a Progressive vortex to a classic Metal finale of epic proportions with Vas deserving a lot of credit for a ripper of a solo.

Previously released single “The Tide” in some ways set the tone for “In Disbelief” as an album, offering up a window into what it might look like but its big main riff perhaps had us distracted from some of its more subtle moments which have been expanded upon everywhere else on the record as extremes push out. Heavy while being balanced and concise at some of those atmospheric points making it an obvious single because of the way it plays out with less expansion and diversity than some of the other cuts. Sing-a-long Post-Hardcore moments inspired by Thrice with some Jazz Metal break outs make up “Turn Into Oblivion” which shines vibrantly like gold in the sunshine with a couple of pieces of impressive lead before things get heavier along similar stylistic lines for “The Sirens Woe” which perhaps indicate as to the direction of the future for the band. A galloping Melodic Death Metal bridge in the centre of big single “Revival” is a clever nod to the bands roots while it’s funky bassline and Jazz leads bejewel it in a fun and melancholic way, the lack of any jagged edges making it a silky smooth ride with elegant flow. The vision to create an album which has such extremes within every single track is something that deserves a lot of credit because its been very well thought out with nothing that suit the mood. How they are going to be able to create a follow up to this which is both as punchy and as inspired is going to be a serious challenge but for now, a glass of single malt, a single ice cube, a cigar, slippers and a smoking jacket are all requirements for the mosh pit this record creates because its so wonderfully diverse with rich warmth and blistering savageness that reflects the very nature of nature [8/10]

Track listing

Shadows
1. Silence (5:03)
2. Severe Serenity (3:56)
3. Healing After The Fall (5:19)
Overturn
4. The Tide (3:15)
5. Turn Into Oblivion (4:09)
Awakening
6. The Sirens Woe (4:10)
7. Revival (3:53)
8. Unsoiled Soul (3:34)

“In Disbelief” by Hilltops Are For Dreamers is out 25th March 2022 via Rockshots Records with pre-orders available here.