REPLACEMENTS

Hibernal's first album The Machine was a strikingly original concept album that was part movie, part audiobook and part instrumental prog album. Replacements follows on from this formula with another story that operates in the same universe.

Everything on Replacements has been ramped up a notch from the impressive debut release. The songwriting has improved and the music has a much more progressive edge to it. The rhythm section in particular gets a shot in the arm with both bass and percussion tight and well executed.

But the main event here is really the story and the atmospherics, and these are brilliantly done. Reminiscent of Blade Runner and other cyberpunk classics, the story revolves around a man with a shadowed past in pursuit of a synthetic woman who happens to be on the run from the law. Conveyed with some amazing voice acting and sound effects, the twists and turns will keep you guessing right till the end.

What I really love about this album is the mood that is created right from the first track and maintained to the end. This is definitely an album to sit with quietly at night with headphones or in a dark room and really absorb.

Once again, Hibernal give us something memorable and original. I hope there's many more of these albums as there's an intriguing universe developing here.