An album with over forty minutes of music, and only five songs: is this back to the early 70s? This Belgian power trio indeed has this period as a source of inspiration. Influences of Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink Floyd and Grateful Dead are mixed with some Monster Magnet and Spiritual Beggars.

The opening track “Time Traveller” is a real masterpiece: combining the earlier mentioned influences in a musical orgy lasting eight and a half minutes. Despite the length this one can keep the attention, due to very good arrangements, variation and timing.

This very impressive opening track is most promising for the rest of the songs, but these high expectations cannot be met. The two instrumental songs (“N.O. Mustang” and “Never Ending Enigma”) surely show the musical skills of the band, from psychedelic floating, Frank Zappa-like freaking, to spacey rocking.

All these skills seem unable to prevent these songs from getting long-winded, or sometimes even boring, by stranding in endlessly repeating of themes.

The two other songs on the record, even the very heavy “Voodoo Dancer”, would have been better off if they had been shorter. I can imagine these long versions being great when played live, because these must be devoted musicians. I wonder if this can be played with only the three original members though, considering the multitude of instruments.

This official debut of HYPNOS69 is a daring album in this day and age of microwave meals and fast video clips, but given the success of bands like Motorpsycho, we might be in for a surprise.