Since emerging from Mechelen, Belgium, Hippotraktor have steadily carved out a singular artistic identity guided by an enduring commitment to exploration. Their music unfolds through carefully sculpted contrasts, where immense rhythmic force exists alongside delicate melodic detail. Moments of overwhelming intensity dissolve into passages of quiet reflection, suspended stillness erupts into visceral power and sonic chaos; their sound is a meticulously crafted interplay between movement and heaviness. Every composition feels organic, themes emerge gradually and transform unexpectedly, as deconstruction, precision and instinct are in constant negotiation. Their sound is defined by intention; every eruption, moment of restraint and subtle shift is embedded in an atmosphere of purpose.
To the joy of ear-splitters and deep-feeling appreciators of post rock, Hippotraktor will release their third studio album Annihilist on 2nd October via Pelagic Records.
Pre-order here: https://orcd.co/hippotraktor-annihilist
And today the band reveal their new single, ‘Oblivion Walker’, which you can watch here:
Once again Annihilist showcases the band’s ability to balance crushing physicality with emotional nuance, whilst pushing further into highly cultivated experimentation. For Hippotraktor, immense sonic weight coexists with remarkable clarity and depth, and through the many shifting passages and moments Annihilist becomes a journey of awe, dissolution, melancholia and rampaging power. At the heart of this album is a sense of collective inspiration. Guitarist Chiaran Verheyden‘s compositional vision provides the framework for music that is both intricate and instinctive, yet Hippotraktor‘s identity is forged through the dialogue between all five musicians.
Although often associated with progressive metal, post-metal and sludge, Hippotraktor resist classification. Their music draws freely from multiple traditions while remaining unmistakably their own, blending rhythmic complexity, cinematic atmosphere and deeply human expression into a sound that feels both expansive and immediate. From the visceral, roaring opening of ‘Builder of Eden’, to the deconstructed finale of ‘Courageous Apathy’, this album exhibits the vast arsenal at Hippotraktor‘s disposal.
As an album Annihilist is not only gripping in every moment and turn, but their balance of the intimate and titanic feels deceptively effortless; a testament to their galvanised abilities. Technical accomplishment is never presented as spectacle; every note exists in service of atmosphere, narrative and emotional resonance. Annihilist is undeniably heavy, yet drenched in groove and bittersweet tenderness. It is progressive without becoming self-indulgent, atmospheric without sacrificing immediacy, and emotionally expansive without relying on sentimentality. Hippotraktor crafts immersive sonic environments that invite complete surrender, where intricate musicianship and instinctive expression become indistinguishable.
Track list:
1. I Breathe, I Am
2. Courageous Apathy
3. Builder of Eden
4. Oblivion Walker
5. Annihilist
6. Everything Is Permissible
7. A Different Now
Line Up:
Stefan De Graef – Vocals
Chiaran Verheyden – Guitar
Jakob Fiszer – Bass
Lander De Nyn – Drums
Kristof Du Jardin – Guitar and Vocals
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 