HYSKAL

Progressive Metal • France

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Hyskal biography
HYSKAL was born in 2000. The first members are Hugues Tourinan (bass), J�r�me Tourinan (guitar) and Cyril Queneau-Pitol (saxophone). Then came Fran�ois Pouvreau (keyboards), S�bastien Ferraz (drums) and Adrien Gautier (vocals). The band quickly decides to create its own compositions and makes a bet for proposing "a powerful and melodic progressive metal with sax and French words". Even if the technical is real, it's mastered without giving way to demonstration; that's what makes HYSKAL an "accessible" band. Their influences are various (from jazz to metal power and progressive rock), such as DREAM THEATER, PANTERA, PLANET X, SYMPHONY X, PINK FLOYD etc.

Compositions quickly became an introspective concept album: "Insight". As its music is not an elitist one, the band gains a largest audience, thanks to sax and its French songs. A five titles demo came into being in 2003, and Michael Lepond, from SYMPHONY X, came across it. He sent an encouraging e-mail: ".The songs were put together and arranged quite well. The musicians played great and the overall production was better sounding than most of the demos that I get from bands." The concerts followed on each other and the band decides to produce its first album.

September 2003: 1st part of Subsonic
The year of 2004 was dedicated to recording, without neglecting concerts
May 2004: 1st part of Manigance
HYSKAL, carried along by its impetuous, is working on its 2nd album: "Chroniques des Atrocit�s Quotidiennes"...
Many reviews can be read on the website.... (in french and in english).

Why this artist must be listed in www.progarchives.com :
"HYSKAL is a promising band, which proposes an original Metal, with French lyrics and above all, saxophone.... The first album of HYSKAL, "Insight" is a nice first shout for a promise band. ... Only deaf and blinded people can't see that we are in front of a really promising combo." (Metal Storm)
"...I still think the first CD of this French band is a recommended piece, because it offers 66 minutes of high quality music..." (Angelfire)

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HYSKAL discography

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HYSKAL top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.17 | 4 ratings

Insight
2005

HYSKAL Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

HYSKAL Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

HYSKAL Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

HYSKAL Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

HYSKAL Reviews

Showing last 10 reviews only

Studio Album, 2005
3.17 | 4 ratings
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Insight
Hyskal Progressive Metal

Review by b_olariu
Prog Reviewer

3.5 realy

Hyskal is a progressive metal band from France formed early this decade and released so far a single album in 2005 named Insight at Brennus Music. Clearly influenced by Dream Theater, Hyskal manage to create a pleasent album all the way, nothing spectacular or original, but enjoyble. They are as many said followers in prog metal, because they go on a path that already bitten by many bands from this genre, but as I said while they are nothing close to an essential listnig , this album is pleasent and complex enought to be fully appreciated by prog metal fans. From the beggining I must add that I never heared a progressive metal band who has such large parts of saxophone elements in their music, such massive use of this instrument, but in the end a good thinking to interlude with the rest and give a special atmosphere for sure. This instrument is used not only as background , but as solo instrument with catchy motifs who on some pieces last more then 5 min, very good melting with the guitar, bass specially with guitar, quite intristing arrengements. Ok, the rest of the traditional are not left behind, they have their role here, keybords sound from atmospheric to more rough in places but I think the best passages are made by this instrument. The guitar did a good job, special for prog metal, but nothing groundbreaking, the drums are ok, the voice of Adrien Gautier is good but sometimes lacking in good range, a little mediocre in places, but ok. I can't extract a pieces to be better then other, they melted very well together and flowing very good from each other. 3- 3.5 stars, a good album for sure, but nothing realy impressive, anyway worth some spins if you are a fan of prog metal.

Thanks to Cyrken for the artist addition.