Hyena About Rock and Roll CD Review

When I run across a band whose main mission is to keep the traditional heavy metal torch burning, I get excited. These bands tend to deliver raucous, unrelenting albums that highlight everything that made the golden age of metal so memorable and heralded. One band who is doing this right is Hyena and their debut album ‘About Rock and Roll’ pays homage to classic NWOBHM bands like Iron Maiden, Motörhead and Judas Priest, but I also hear influences of Saxon and maybe even a hint of Tokyo Blade as well. This Peruvian outfit has been together since 2018 and have released a number of singles and been on a handful of comps, but this is the first time that they’ve really had a chance to fully shine and they do exactly that.

If fiery twin lead guitars get you moist in the pants, you’re going to need a new pair after listening to ‘About Rock and Roll’. The opening track “Nightriders”, “The Eternal Zero”, and “Keep It True” sink their hooks into you and don’t relent in the slightest and guitarists Alfonso Espinoza and Sergio Silva leave nothing to be desired. And if the guitars don’t do it for you, lead vocalist El Sucio is one of the most impressive singers you’ve never heard of. His range and control are up there with the legends like Halford and Dickinson. “Metal Machine” reminds me of W.A.S.P. meeting Iron Maiden and I found myself singing “L.O.V.E. Machine” during parts of the song. “Echoes of the Underworld” is a fantastic instrumental dripping with early 80’s energy in the vein of Angel Witch and brings in some thrash and speed metal elements hearkening back to the Bay Area.

Hyena’s debut is certainly something any self respecting metal head would appreciate. Their tribute to the (arguably) best time in metal history while adding their own sound and vision to the genre is truly a delight and something that I am looking forward to hearing more of in the future.

~TJ