HYDROGYN – The Boiling Point

The Backstory

Hydrogyn burst onto the indie rock scene with their debut album Bombshell in 2006.  In the beginning, the group was fronted by Julie Westlake.  With Julie at the helm, Hydrogyn toured the US and Europe and released four full-length studio albums.  Julie exited the group shortly after the release of their 2014 EP Break the Chains.  Erica Parrot took over on vocals for Hydrogyn’s 2017 release Redemption.  The year 2020 finds Hydrogyn reshuffling the deck once again.  Holly Hines Freed takes over on vocals for their latest release The Boiling Point.

The Album

“Disappear” establishes the vocal prowess of Holly Hines Freed and the twin guitar attack of Jeff Westlake and Ryan Stepp.  Jacob Freed’s chunky bass lines mesh with Scot Clayton’s pounding drum beats and fills on “Bats in the Belfry.”  The album’s title track “The Boiling Point” has become sort of a mantra for the band in 2020.  Holly is commanding and direct in delivering the chorus.  The power ballad “Worthless” is a mix of piano and fuzzy power riffs.  Holly’s seductive vocals and lyrics are sure to get some people a little worked up on “Sweet Addiction.”  “Tragic” is the standout song on the album.  Freed’s performance is sultry, passionate, and haunting all at the same time.  There is a little Pat Benatar hurt in her tone.  “Widowmaker” is a fast-paced Heavy Metal rocker with a cocky swagger.

“Ghost” is an eerie, slow-paced track that falls apart in the middle when Hydrogyn try to speed it up.  There is also something off about the guitar solo and drum pacing.  Holly and the gang take their Tears for Fears cover “Mad World” to a much darker place.  Hydrogyn gives Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds” a swift kick in the behind with more energy and distortion.  Blondie’s “One Way or Another” is a perfect fit for Freed’s vocals, as she emotes a lot of Debbie Harry’s ’70s punk spirit in a few of the songs on the album.  While the covers are all enjoyable, three of them seem a bit much.

The Verdict

The Boiling Point reveals that the latest version of Hydrogyn will no longer confine themselves to one Rock style or another.  Each of the 10 original tracks have their own sound and identity to them.  The band can mix it up and Holly Hines Freed shows she is versatile and compelling.  There is still some work to be done and some roughness to smooth out, but it is understandable because the band is still new to each other.

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Tracklist

1. Disappear
2. Bats in the Belfry
3. The Boling Point
4. Wickedness
5. Worthless Love
6. Sweet Addiction
7. Tragic
8. One Way or Another [Blondie]
9. Suspicious Minds [Elvis Presley]
10. Widowmaker
11. Damaged Goods
12. Ghost
13. Mad World [Tears For Fears]

Hydrogyn is:

Holly Hines Freed – Vocals
Jeff Westlake – Guitar
Ryan Stepp – Guitar
Jacob Freed – Bass
Scot Clayton II – Drums