Hydria - CD Review
Freakshow

CD Info:
2013
Self-Released / Brazil
12 tracks
English lyrics

Every artist deserves a second chance. That’s what I decided when I volunteered to review Hydria’s third album Freakshow. Though I’d generally liked its predecessor, 2010’s Poison Paradise, I thought that Hydria’s poppy brand of symphonic metal needed some work. However, I had a hunch that this Brazilian duo could pull off something special on future releases. So, I continued to follow Hydria’s career as I do with other bands I’ve reviewed here. And when I listened to the new song “Reality Shows” for the first time, my jaw dropped. It was crisp, infectious, and totally different from what Hydria had done in the past, yet still distinctively Hydria. That statement holds true for all of Freakshow, an exhilarating metal “festival” for the ears.

Freakshow shows what happens when, as the band describes in this video, the composer goes through a death metal / metalcore phase while the singer has a “Lady Gaga moment.” To reflect the music influencing them at that time, Hydria shed their symphonic metal skin for a vibrant costume of cartwheeling, hook-driven, melodic pop-metal. The synth-strings have been replaced with layers of keyboards and electronic elements, and Raquel Schüler has abandoned semi-operatic vocals for more emotion and charisma. Other aspects of Hydria’s music haven’t changed much. Marco Oliveira’s guitarwork as well as the drumming still draw from the dynamics of power and symphonic metal. Combined with the futuristic elements, the “new” Hydria sounds bolder, heavier, and refreshing.

It’s worth noting that Freakshow is Hydria’s first concept album. The lyrics discuss a wide range of modern-day social trends and problems. Some songs tackle specific topics such as reality television (“Reality Shows”), animal cruelty (“Unconditional Love”), and show business (“Freakshow”). Others focus on more abstract ideas and counter negative emotions like fear and failure with hope and conviction.

Even with such a drastic evolution, Hydria sounds more inspired than ever on Freakshow. “Reality Shows” is an excellent place to start. This is true electro-metal, with the Morse-code intro morphing into pummeling riffs and animated synths. Schüler makes some witty observations about the song’s namesake, pointing out its extremes (“It doesn’t matter what you say / And you don’t need to be polite”) and laughing at its absurdity. And with her appealing melodies and engaging vocals, Schüler turns this piece of social commentary into one of this year’s most arresting anthems.

The fun on Freakshow doesn’t end there. Staccato riffs, double-kick drumming, and grinding rhythms of “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It Ends” hearken back to the Hydria of old, but the similarities end there once the ad-libs and keyboards bust through. “Evolution” rushes in like a careening aircraft before Schüler chimes in with the album’s catchiest lyric-melody combination. “Embrace The World” also thrives on musical and lyrical effervescence. Schüler’s message of encouragement on this track reminds listeners to live life to the fullest and strive for their wildest dreams. The title track and “Bullet of Lies” also take you on their own rollercoaster rides.

Though Freakshow has a few ballads, only one can be described as “typical.” That would be “Believe,” a simple yet confident beauty that’s sure to become a fan favorite. “Brilliant People” and “The Memory Song,” on the other hand, maintain a balladic feel while sidestepping such conventions. The former bounces during its verses and lets its towering synths collide with gravity for the chorus. The latter also keeps a brisk pace for the most part, until Schüler unleashes a chorus that tugs at the heart and soul. And with a perfectly picked spot at the album’s end, it’s a gorgeous way to drop the Freakshow curtain.

Unlike Poison Paradise, Freakshow is a more consistent album with far fewer flaws. A couple tracks have like-sounding melodies, while the lyrical themes of other songs seem too similar. That’s about it, though. I do, however, want to return to one critique from my Poison Paradise review. In there, I mentioned that the “commercial” aspects of Hydria’s music didn’t mesh well with the symphonic style at times. That’s not an issue on Freakshow. Not only is the awkward contrast gone with the symphonics, but the new material is stronger and full of passion that wasn’t previously there in Hydria’s music. In fact, the shift into full-out pop-metal has brought out the best of Hydria’s songwriting and creativity.

Then again, challenging oneself creatively often leads to a better, more inspired result. That’s what happened to Hydria with Freakshow. They took the biggest risk of their career by giving their music a shot of adrenaline and change. What they came up with is a lively, fluorescent carnival of sound that lifts the listener’s spirits and begs a careful look at the world. So, whether Poison Paradise impressed or underwhelmed you, make sure you don’t miss Freakshow. It’s by far the best album that Hydria have put out to date.

9 / 10

Highlights: “The Memory Song,” “Reality Shows,” “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It Ends,” “Believe”

For fans of Within Temptation, Delain, Amaranthe, Xandria (pre Neverworld’s End), Nemesea, and Visions of Atlantis

Freakshow is out now and available for digital download through iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby.

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