Album Review: Hellions - Opera Oblivia

Sydney's Hellions have carved themselves a comfortable little nook from which to dish out their blend of heavy guitars, hardcore progressions, punk 'tude and melodic metal.

It's been fascinating to watch their rapid ascent since 2013, their intense live shows landing them on iconic touring festivals and in epic support slots, alongside two albums that have equally made their mark. If we're talking grand statement pieces though, flagship single Quality Of Life for third album Opera Oblivia has been a hint of what's to come for a couple of months now. It's a dramatic title for what is an album drenched in drama, lyrically, musically and emotionally, and it more than lives up to expectations its first offering promises.

What defines this album most is its journey. With each peak and trough there are rampant rhythms, joyous gang vocals, gutsy chugs, sombre symphonic motifs and restrained angst bubbling under reverb-filled ambience. Opener 24 gives us a warm, welcoming hug with soaring group anthems and neat little guitar trills, then Quality Of Life, Lotus Eater and He Without Sin i) Halation beat us over the head with lead man Dre Faivre's belting vocal, grim lyrics, droning guitars and snappy bass. That's what this album nails collectively; there is nowhere to get comfortable within it. While you settle into the floaty guitar notes of Nuestra Culpa, Faivre then pleas "As an artist, a musician, a man, I'd much prefer to be hated than pitied for falling flat on my face".

A couple of tracks don't quite hit the same highs, but ultimately Opera Oblivia is sonically spot on, scratches the right emotional spots, and is sure to be held up as a genre great.