Review: “Hypnosomnia” by Black Rabbit

Inspired by Megadeth, Obituary and Death while citing an acute lack of Metal bands in their native Apeldoorn in The Netherlands, axe wielding duo Jelle Bekelmans and Hidde Holfland formed Dutch Groove Death Thrash Metal Black Rabbit back in 2014 and while the band has been something of a revolving door of musicians since then, the pair have remained at its heart. 2019 saw the arrival of drummer Max Hendriks (Grindpad, ex-Warborn Waste, ex-Inferum) before the release of 2020 EP “Warren Of Necrosis“, while the group is currently rounded out by vocalist Nino Thomas and bassist Robbin van de Bor, the latter noted for his work in Fire Within. Together they have created debut album “Hypnosomnia”, mixed by Stijn Donders (The Subliminal, Icarus, Infestis), mastered by Peter Brussee (Knight Area, Ayreon, Torque) at Q Point Studios and adorned by artwork from Roberto Toderico…

…as you might have anticipated given the line up changes and length of time between records, the beast that is Black Rabbit has evolved. No longer are they to be considered amongst the Old School stylings of bands like Pestilence as they have grown stronger and created something very much for the here and now. Introduction piece “Hypersomnia” provides something of epic grandeur with programming and orchestration to provide a dark and sombre atmospheric with melancholic overtones before the rampaging “Neverending” punches you full in the face. A lethal dose of Death Metal that confirms what we have long known about the bands prowess, it finds them firing on all four cylinders. Galloping kit work from Hendriks and throat shredding vocals from Thomas that are clean enough that you can identify every word of the lyrics but only just is accompanied by the kind of riffs that other bands would kill for as the inspirations come together to create something fresh. “Culmination of Hate” offers flavours a shade heavier than Lamb Of God with power and purpose, landing somewhere between “Controverse” by  Russian Death Metal brutes God Syndrome and “Arise” era Sepultura. The drum sound is clean and crisp to the point that Hendriks is driving home the nails in the coffin lid with each crash cymbal hit as you can hear the vibrations while Thomas sounds like he’s narrating the tales of his horror filled nightmares with his wonderful storytelling capacities. 

“False Awakening” is one which Stephen King would be proud as the thoughts spill like blood on the page, while the extended solo is a fretboard smouldering monstrosity. Sounding oddly familiar, the dirge laden riffs of “Hollow Eyes” sound suppressed or as if there is only guitar in the mix and when that’s accompanied by a spoken word moment it makes for a uniquely bludgeoning experience in the middle of the record. In some ways it echoes 1990’s Death Metal acts like Morbid Angel but reanimates the corpse with a lethal injection of Dutch adrenaline. In a similar vein “Fake Blood” builds with a clunky bass sound and anthemic chorus lines, punching hard while having an almost Hardcore Punk underbelly hidden beneath its Metal t-shirt. A moment of sinister melody introduces “Delta Waves“, Thomas sounding like he’s about to find himself trapped in a padded room and dressed in a straight jacket in the not too distant future as the churning mid tempo crush of the riffs rolls over the soul like a tank, turning each bone to dust within. Just as dark and twisted, “Parasite of Minds” brings extended instrumental passages with rich and menacing solos over laying powerful grooves. Fearfully addictive it entrances leaving the listener dancing like a marionette to its intoxicating symphony.

Changing gear like a Juggernaut on the freeway “Paradoxical Sleep” increases the tempo while offering an unexpected scream-a-long chorus before another burst of pure fire when the solo hits like napalm before the rhythmic pummelling returns for “Judgement Day“. Another sinister and menacing number with venomous lyrics it enhances the dark and brooding atmospherics as Thomas turns from the killer to the Judge handing down the sentence in a twisted game of death and destruction. Just when you thought you’d heard all that Black Rabbit have to offer, Black Metal influences rear their ugly head in the mournful and melancholic  “Descending” as a rich melody dissipates into lyrics about falling into depression. Thundering blast beats thunder rise from the fabric of the Earth as the tectonic plates rumble with Thomas contemplating self immolation as this dark thoughts take control before a chilling spoken word moment. The curtain comes down with the magnificent “Hellfire“, a classic that echoes bands like Kreator in style as it flows through the veins, a fitting conclusion as madness this way comes. On this evidence alone, the court have determined that Black Rabbit have a long career in front of them if they wish to reach into the void and grasp it… [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Hypersomnia
2. Neverending
3. Culmination of Hate
4. False Awakening
5. Hollow Eyes
6. Fake Blood
7. Delta Waves
8. Parasite of Minds
9. Paradoxical Sleep
10. Judgement Day
11. Descending
12. Hellfire

“Hypnosomnia” by Black Rabbit is out 24th March 2023