Hyena | About Rock And Roll | Dying Victims Productions

 

    Hyena is a heavy metal band from Cajamarca, Peru, formed in 2018 by guitarist and songwriter Alfonso Espinoza. Known for their raw approach and minimal compromise, the band quickly developed a name in the underground through limited-run demos and live performances in unexpected corners of the world. With a firm lineup—Leonardo Zelada on drums, Sergio Silva on guitar, Alexander Rojas on bass, and El Sucio on vocals—Hyena has kept a strong momentum, performing across Latin America, Asia, and Oceania. Their music is shaped by early heavy metal and speed metal influences, and their fanbase has steadily grown around their unfiltered sound and tireless touring.

 “About Rock And Roll” is a concise and sharp debut that draws from older styles without leaning into excess. The album is structured around compact, fast-paced tracks with little room for downtime. Most of the songs land under four minutes, prioritizing direct delivery over structural expansion. The riffs are central—plain, loud, and rhythmically forward. Guitar work on both rhythm and lead keeps a tight grip on pacing, never drifting from the basic template. The lead breaks are brief and to the point, often matching the energy of the surrounding parts rather than seeking contrast.

Basslines hold a steady, present weight throughout the album, often supporting the rhythm without veering into independence, though they remain clearly heard in the mix. Drumming maintains a constant forward push, mostly mid-to-fast tempo, avoiding flash and keeping transitions simple.

Vocals are aggressive and raw, with El Sucio taking a forceful approach that doesn’t soften across the album. His delivery is loud and unpolished, prioritizing tone over melody. The vocal lines mirror the structure of the songs: short phrases, clear rhythm, and repetition used for emphasis.

The instrumental track “Echoes Of The Underworld” offers the only real shift in tone, operating as a brief atmospheric break without becoming distant from the rest. The longest track, “Epitome Of Evil,” stretches beyond six minutes but stays consistent with the album’s style, only slightly broadening its layout.

The final result is an album that holds to its direction tightly. There are no experiments, no drastic tempo changes, and no deviation from the core intent. The sound is deliberately raw but not disorganized, giving it an immediate energy that holds across its short runtime of just under 38 minutes. “About Rock And Roll” works best when played loud and in full, relying on its collective impact rather than moments of contrast.

Score: 7.6