From the Dictionary: The meaning of HUBRIS is exaggerated pride or self-confidence: arrogance. How does that translate into scalding Black Metal from Buffalo, NY? I’ll get to that shortly.
Hubris isn’t going to rewrite the Black Metal blueprint anytime soon, but that’s just fine. Acts of Sedition is a satisfying album, a meat and potatoes Black Metal album as it should be.
From the first track, “Call to Sedition”, they get right down to business. Most of Acts of Sedition hovers around the world of Gorgoroth/ Ov Hell territory, and since those bands are basically one and the same (by way of King Ov Hell from Gorgoroth). Anyway… they’re talented musicians, no doubt about that.
“Lightless Lantern” rips straight out of the gate with an ice-cold arsenal of riffs alá 1349, early Immortal style. Pretty fucking cool, and yes, there are some killer riffs to be heard. Melkorpse is the main vocalist (they’re all listed as vocals, but he’s the head dude), and his voice box must be fucking shredded after shows.
Savagery is unleashed with “Incantation of Death”, followed by “Boil of Humanity” with an intro slightly reminiscent of the first couple Reign of Erebus albums. I mean, there are beat downs, and then there are Buffalo, NY Black Metal beat downs and Hubris aren’t fucking around. The title track? Holy shit that’s the good stuff right there, like the riffs are on an Adderall speed ball… fucking excellent.
“Era of Hubris” has this crazy-cool center that’s incredibly enjoyable. “Pissed on Ambitions” is a full-speed-ahead instrumental that reminds me of “Violent Generation” by Brutality.
“The Great Division” and “Outer Space Satanic Torture: Hymn to Nuit in the Abyss” round out the last two, and of course, they take it out with a bang.
Hubris doesn’t appear to be conceited, as their name would imply, and Acts of Sedition is, indeed, a humble release. It wears its influences on its sleeves and there’s nothing wrong with that. Like I said, they’re not going to reinvent the Black Metal wheel, but they elevate the genre with Acts of Sedition. If you like the bands, I’ve mentioned then you’ll be over the moon for Hubris. Get this album now!
