Alpha Hopper – Alpha Hex Index LP (Hex Records)

Alpha Hopper were quiet for a while, but here they are with another banging recording that will knock your socks off. For those who somehow missed my article about their previous album, Alpha Hopper is a fascinating bunch of creative people emanating from Buffalo, New York. Their music defies classifications into a particular genre, mainly because the group explores several genres at once. Besides the beforementioned album, Alpha Hopper also released a couple more recordings, such as Last Chance Power Drive LP, a single Denver Airport, and another full-length Let Heaven And Nature Sing. All these recordings were released during the five years span, so I could easily assume Alpha Hopper is a prolific group with enormous songwriting capabilities.

Alpha Hex Index represents their fourth recording, released one year after the self-titled album. The group keeps it prolific as much as possible, but it seems they’re not losing on quality. This particular album twelve noisy punk rock tunes, but the band stays true to their tradition and includes other elements during the entire material. Alpha Hopper explores a full specter of subgenres closely tied to punk rock music. You may hear elements of noise punk, garage punk, art-punk, post-punk, hardcore punk, noise rock, rock’n’roll, no wave, and probably a lot more along the way. These ingredients are operating together in harmony, without spoiling each other on this virtuous musical journey.

Alpha Hopper goes even further by exploring some retro-sci-fi synthy electronica at particular tunes. However, these are just minimalistic experimentations that serve as overtures at a couple of songs, and the group flawlessly transits into the previous noisy punk rock state. The guitars are not overwhelmed by distortion, but they sound so powerful. The verses are usually calmy, but both guitars are shining bright on the spotlight during the choruses when the same amounts of distortion are crushing the listening apparatus. Alpha Hopper operates without the bass guitars, but their music doesn’t lack any basslines or low-end tones. The progressive rhythm section holds everything in line through detailed rhythmic sequences and various accentuations. The lead vocalist offers very energetic, high-pitched, nearly aggressive chants, which are becoming more threatening as the group transits into powerful choruses.

Alpha Hex Index showcases the very colorful, diverse, unique creative side of the group. Each composition offers an entirely different approach but simultaneously matches the remaining portion of the record. This particular album outshines their previous material, which is undoubtfully good, but not even close to this one. As I said at the beginning of this article, Alpha Hex Indes will knock your socks off! The album comes with a beautiful cover artwork that resembles mid-seventies retro sci-fi aesthetics. The combination of colors is completely insane, and it perfectly matches a stunning sun haze vinyl variant. Head over to Hex Records for more detailed info about ordering or purchase it directly from the band.