HYDROTOXIN

It's been a while since I've done a Lesser-Known Gem. I've got no shortage of new music in my queue to cover, but I also love highlighting more obscure releases from the past. Today's topic is one of my favorite albums of the 1990s. I have not been shy about my general indifference (often bordering on distaste) for a lot of prog from that decade, but Hydrotoxin's one full-length release, Oceans, is one of the best distillations of the classic '90s prog metal sound.

I discovered this album when I was 18 or so and I searched "progressive metal" on YouTube. Somehow, the nine-and-a-half-minute title track was one of the top results. (It might have even been the top result.) Running that search now will yield primarily playlists and contemporary releases, which makes more sense. 2008 YouTube's search function often left something to be desired, but in this quirkiness it was sometimes easier to find interesting oddities.

Very, very little information about this band can be found online. ProgArchives has the most information, but even that source is sparse and effectively limited to the band members' names. Rate Your Music claims they put out an EP in 2007, Signal Denied, but I'm willing to bet that this is a mix-up with an identically-named band since neither Discogs nor ProgArchives lists this EP on the band's page. (Note: I cannot find an easy way to legitimately acquire a digital copy of Oceans. CDs can be purchased through private sellers on Amazon UK and Discogs.)

"Infinite Ways" opens Oceans with tight, technical riffing and distinctive guitar tones, and it quickly resolves into a grand-sounding verse. The music and vocals are both strongly influenced by power metal, but it doesn't feel as slick and polished as a lot of the schlock I dislike. The instrumentalism is impressive, but it isn't masturbatory. It's obvious that English is not the vocalist's first language, but that's not something I'm going to ding him for. I do know that it would likely distract some listeners, so that's something to keep in mind.

Synthesizers are deployed generously, often with twinkling, sparkling textures that add a certain airiness to the music. Despite vocalist Jiotis Parchiridis's wobbliness with the language, his voice is powerful, dramatic, and deeply effective. He skillfully flows between sweet, gentle passages and more intense moments. He's like a better version of James LaBrie.

The final minutes of the opening track feature a searing synthesizer solo which channels many of the '70s prog giants. Rick Wakeman and Patrick Moraz are the most obvious influences. The transition out of this wonderful passage is a bit jarring, but it's not a mortal sin. The shift into relatively gentle '90s power metal is simply a bit awkward.

The song, "Nexus", opens with an aggressive chugging riff, while synthesizers add a vaguely Middle Eastern feel. The verses flow smoothly into the grand chorus, and the backing track is solid. The guitar part is majestic, and the bass part is impressive but not showy. There are multiple disparate elements to this song's structure, but it all manages to tie together neatly.

"Labyrinth" keeps the intensity up with more chugging guitars and the addition of dramatic organ. The arrangement during the verses is relatively pared-back, but that only serves to highlight what is already present. The chorus is mellow without entering into full-on ballad territory. This song does feature some regrettable synth tones, but especially compared to certain artists (cough Rick Wakeman cough), it's not that bad. Plus, the really bad synth brass is followed up by some fantastic tones in the solo not long after.

"Door to December" was the single off this album, and it's obvious why. It's one of only two songs to clock in at under seven minutes (and the other one is sub-two minutes). It's a smooth, laid-back instrumental led by an enchanting guitar solo and supported with lush synths and solid rhythm work.

The title track follows. I don't know what YouTube's search algorithm was like back in the day that it allowed this song to be the top result when searching for progressive metal, but I'm glad it happened. The opening moments feature a haunting clean guitar and a strong vocal performance. The drumming is deft and jazzy, and the starry synth pads help keep the mood tense. The chorus sounds like it's straight out of Operation: Mindcrime, and this epic manages to evolve in ways which feel natural. There's a fantastic bass solo during the muted final minute. Nothing about this track feels forced, and its many surprises make it one of the best prog cuts of the '90s.

The closest this album gets to schlock is "Forest Rain". It opens with sappy synth pads and overdramatic guitar, but once the rhythm section joins in, the song kicks into gear. It has an incessant, pulsing rhythm and some of the most intense moments on the whole record. This is the cut where the band goes the hardest, but the synths are severely dialed back throughout much of the first half of this song. The second half is more synth-forward and overall gentler, but it's still a stellar piece of music.

Oceans ends on a brief little epilogue, "Aquasun", which features wobbling, watery synthesizers and passionate vocals. This cut sounds somewhat like video game music at points, and I'm not sure I would have ended the album on this note, but I have no strong complaints here.

It's a pity Hydrotoxin only ever put out this one album. Oceans is one of the pinnacles of '90s prog metal, alongside other melodic masterpieces such as Images and Words and Parallels. If you like that synth-heavy, clean, and majestic sound I cannot recommend this album enough. And even if you're not normally a fan of that style, I'd still recommend giving Oceans a try.

Review originally posted here: theeliteextremophile.com/2021/09/20/lesser-known-gem-hydrotoxin-oceans/

Wow!!!! Why this is in the progmetal categories? I not like metal music in general, but this music is really awesome and challenging!!! It's hard define the style, it's more in the hard prog vein that prog metal; i found just some Dream Theather influencies just for the drum, but the rest is very original. The singer has a strong and strange voice, not in hight picth like you're used to other metal prog bands...but he sing very well and he is very good to modulate his voice in delicate passages as well as in much more heavy tunes. There are nice guitar and keyboards riff and the keys remember a bit Marillion....that meet Kevin Moore of DT. The guitar is very rhytmic and use strange riff derivative from funky...i can hear some Micheal Jackson or Primus influencies...and is often used in a smart way, no ugly metal riff...no ugly or sinister armonies. All is really magic...i could define his style fantasy metal, because there are too much original catchy, and melodic ideas...all arranged in a perfect way that prog metal is too much reductive!!!

WOW!!!WARNING!FORGOTTEN MUSICAL JEWEL!I really cannot believe that this German band had only this album released!They were so inspired and came at the right moment to bring their "offering'to the altar of very goood progressive music!Especially the vocalist is impressive-JIOTI PARCHARIDIS,also lead vocal after this experience in HUMAN FORTRESS and now with a guitar player from ACCEPT,in a more metallic veine!Jioti is a a true reference,a perfect example for this musical style,with a so wonderful voice,warm and powerful in the same time!The atmosphere on this album is so fine,we really have the feeling to be a part of a musical journey.an aquatic journey!Of course,the DREAM THEATER influence...oh,yes...always them,is so present,but HYDROTOXIN have their own personality and mark!Long songs,with long instrumental passages,but none second of poor ideas,and a superbe sound of the guitar.and rich keyboards ideas in the same time!In my humble opinion,this is an unexplainable error ,an underrated album,undoubtedly hard fo find nowadays,but a precious one for those whu have the cahance to already have it!It's a shame that the musicians in HYDROTOXIN never succeeded to hit at an international level,and I don't know if it was a life after OCEANS!Even the cover is so nice and promissing for a music that will please any prog metal fan!It sounds maybee forced,but I rate this album with the heart and feeling for some beautiful years in my life...so 5 STARS for them,and a true regret,a sincere regret for the fact that this album was unique for HYDROTOXIN!

Hydrotoxin is a german progressive metal who released only one album in 1996 named Oceans. I know this album since he was released more then a decade ago and was a surprise for me. Being similar with Dream Theater (of course), Empty Tremor or Madsword, they bring nothing new in this genre, but the tight and excelent musicianship gives me a very pleasent album. What stroke at first listening was the brilliant voice of Jioti Parcharidis ( also know from bands like Chateau or Victory fame), his range is incredible, giving on some pieces a realy great and colorful atmosphere ex: Infinite Ways and Nexus., on the rest is also very strong. The gear of this band is very tight and very well developed across the album giving a very solid musicianship, specialy the keybordis Oliver Hintz is top notch. The main influence of the band is Dream Theater, that complex and quirky pieces that made famouses in the'90's are present here at he highest level, also they propose a melodic side of prog metal, not one very rough, but still very pleasent. Also 5 tracks from 7 are long enough to show that they mean bussines with this album, even is a debute , everything is well done and at the right place. It's a shame that they disbanded soon after this release , they were a promising band with a good album in their pockets, but sometimes is not enough to have only a great album. Two instrumental pieces grace Oceans: Door To December, a mid tempo piece, guitar dominating remind me in places of Vinie Moore and the last one Aquasun is an atmospheric and very spacey piece with keyboars as main role. In the end a great album and very unnoticed in prog circles, desearve for sure, at least from my side 4 stars. The cover art is very strange but fits like glove with the atmosphere from the album.

I stumbled across this album when it was on sale for (I believe) ?4,=.

Fine prog Metal band from German who, for as far as I can tell, only recorded one CD.

If you're into ("When day and dream unite" period )Dream Theater, or Labÿrinth then I guess you'll like this a lot. Hydrotoxin was (is?) clearly a band with a lot of potential, this particular CD features intricate prog-metallish tracks of which "Infinite ways" and "Oceans" are my favourites.

The Drums are a lot like Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy, following the emphasis in the songs, adding enough to support the guitars or keyboards, but more relaxed than Portnoy's work.

The vocals by Jioti Parcharidis is a mixture of DT's James LaBrie and Labÿrinth's Roberto Tiranti, although not as monotonous as Tiranti can be sometimes, especially during the early Labÿrinth albums prior to their 7th album entitled "Labÿrinth". Although Jioti's a good singer, it's not as good as LaBrie is......well, the way James Labrie is studio-wise, that is. The band features fine played and percieved guitar parts by Andreas Kienitz, nothing earth moving, but in this production all's well and in it's place. The keyboards are a mixture of Derek Sherinian meets marillion's Mark Kelly (The keys on track 3 : "Labyrinth" are great)

well produced and performed album for prog metal lovers.

Standout tracks : Infinite Ways, Oceans, labyrinth. Lesser tracks : Doors to december, aquasun.