On All Fours – Hybris
Band: On All Fours
Title: Hybris
Label: Ván Records
Release date: December 4th, 2024
Country: Belgium
Format reviewed: High-Quality Digital Recording
Sometimes, in this digital age, you can still be pleasantly surprised. At a time when everything seems predictable and bands and labels announce releases months in advance, the latest release from Germany’s Ván Records completely flew under my radar. Suddenly, it was there. In hindsight, however, it turns out this album’s journey to see the light of day was anything but straightforward.
The project, centered around singer Klaartje Keppens, was initiated even before the now-historic COVID epidemic. With the help of various musicians, Klaartje managed to produce several demos to bring her musical vision to life. After delays caused by lockdowns and studio issues, Hybris was finally completed in 2023 and picked up for release by Ván Records, a label always open to something innovative.
The name On All Fours is derived from Klaartje’s love for felines, who are famously known to always land on their four paws. The number four also comes into focus, as it happens to be another of Klaartje’s obsessions, as she recently revealed in an interview.
The album opens with the acoustic track “Vision – Sinear’s Dream”, which is somewhat puzzling, especially as the following track, “Design – For Four’s Sake”, continues in a similar vein. However, during this second track, the pace suddenly picks up, and the acoustic guitars give way to a heavy doom sound.
Oriental influences first emerge in “Base – The Pillars”, adding an extra layer to the album. “Rise – Remedy” is one of the album’s highlights, with a somewhat oppressive atmosphere that truly grips the listener.
In “Atrium – Limerence”, we hear the voice of the late singer Verderf from the band Verloren. This collaboration lends the track significant depth and brings it close to the darker side of metal.
For the album’s outro, Simon Kölle of the Swedish band Za Frûmi takes the reins, providing a fitting conclusion to this record.
With Hybris, On All Fours delivers an excellent album that will especially appeal to fans of bands like Wolvennest. The hope is that we’ll get to see the band perform live next year, as this album has certainly left me wanting more. 8/10 by Consanguineus
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