Hippotraktor – Annihilist

Written by on 01-10-2026 at 21:35.

In an increasingly chaotic world, it’s nice to have something to hold on to so we don’t slip any further. In this case, we can count on Hippotraktor, which is releasing its third album after two years – once again featuring exactly seven tracks. And once again, this new work is being released under the Pelagic Records label by these Belgian thoroughbreds from Mechelen. There’s certainly some sparkling water running through those water pipes! We also pick up where Hippotraktor left off on their previous two albums. This time, we follow our nameless protagonist in a deeper understanding of the cyclical nature of existence, in which he rises up against the divine power that caused it, according to the accompanying promotional material.

Although Hippotraktor itself states that it would rather not be pigeonholed, we can certainly place its musical style in the post-metal category. It’s no coincidence that the band is signed to Pelagic Records; arguably the driving force within this subgenre in the label landscape. The music can therefore be readily compared to that of labelmates The Ocean, Hypno5e, and, how could it be otherwise, Psychonaut (where singer Stefan de Graef also takes the spot behind the microphone). The previous two albums, Meridian and Stasis, have already been reviewed here and received high praise. That sets the bar high for this new release. Are you also curious to see if it will live up to expectations or completely shatter them?

Forget all the nonsense mentioned above, though, because Hippotraktor – just as annihilism (or, to put it in more metal terms, the “doctrine of destruction”) proclaims is not seeking reconciliation, but total destruction. Although the intriguing post-metal of this talented quintet certainly draws its strength from dynamic shifts infused with understated fragility, we can’t help but note that this is also counterbalanced by a dose of musical muscle-flexing. Be prepared to be pulverized by Hippotraktor! Just listen, for example, to those brutally chopping riffs on Courageous Apathy or to the total onslaught on Builder Of Eden. What a driving force. Oblivion Walker is also characterized by a very compelling rhythm section with djenty Meshuggah-style riffs, staccato drumming, and a brutal finale. Stefan de Graef’s raw vocals sit firmly on top of the music, lending the album’s heavy passages a deeply intense atmosphere. Through continuous driving forces and the buildup of menacing atmospheres, Hippotraktor manages to erect veritable musical cathedrals of epic grandeur. This is also clearly evident on the opener I Breathe. I Am. The full-bodied production creates a colossal wall of sound at just the right moments, completely blowing the listener away.

However, destruction isn’t the only thing on the agenda. The attentive reader will, of course, have already noticed that the previous paragraph specifically mentioned the first four tracks, which means the musical heaviness definitely lies in the first part of the album. The title track Annihilist marks a turning point here with subdued post-rock set against a slightly progressive backdrop, strongly reminiscent of Psychonaut’s latest album. Everything Is Permissible also fits well into that framework and receives a highly idiosyncratic interpretation, with the frivolous guitar melodies and sensitive vocal lines serving as the highlights. Here as in many other places on the album the harmonies with newcomer Kristof Du Jardin really shine. The departure of his predecessor, Sander Rom (also known from L’Itch), initially seemed like a major loss, but the transition to his successor could hardly have gone more smoothly. While we’re on the subject of vocals, we should also mention the boost in quality provided by Loïc Rossetti’s (ex-The Ocean) contribution to the previously discussed Builder Of Eden.

The contrast between intense heaviness and delicate moments of reflection creates a pleasant dynamic on this Annihilist. Hippotraktor’s beloved hallmarks from the previous two albums thus remain firmly intact, and fundamentally, there’s no shift in style on this new album. However, it is precisely the refinement in how these elements are employed that makes Annihilist such a delightful listening experience. The ingenious song structures have even been elevated here, with interesting twists and unexpected rhythms regularly popping up. This was already strongly evident on the first single released, A Different Now. This comes to the forefront prominently on I Breathe. I am and Builder Of Eden as well. Lander de Nyn’s strong drumming also deserves a mention here, as it leaves a significant mark on the overall experience.

There’s no such thing as perfection in life, but what Hippotraktor delivers with Annihilist comes damn close to it. It’s always surprised me a bit that the band seems to operate somewhat in the shadow of Psychonaut, at least judging by the types of concert venues and their placement on festival posters. Perhaps it’s due to the band’s shorter history or maybe their somewhat unconventional band name. Making predictions is always risky, but in this case, it’s almost certain that they’ll at least catch up. What an album! This is sure to make it onto the year-end lists!

Score:

91/100

Label:

Pelagic Records, 2026

Tracklisting:

  1. I Breathe. I am
  2. Courageous Apathy
  3. Builder Of Eden
  4. Oblivion Walker
  5. Annihilist
  6. Everything Is Permissible
  7. A Different Now

Line-up:

  • Stefan de Graef – Zang
  • Kristof Du Jardin – Gitaar, zang
  • Chiaran Verheyden – Gitaar
  • Jakob Fiszer – Basgitaar
  • Lander de Nyn – Drums

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