Track By Tracks: Maitreya - Hyper Reels (2021)
1. Catalyst:
Catalyst was the last song we wrote for the album and became an instant favourite. We believe
it shows the full array of sounds in one song. Catalyst features signature Maitreya song devices like; riff-
heavy sections, clean-ambient moments, big breakdowns, melodic lead passages, anthemic chorus
vocals, a drum solo and progressive exploratory song structure. We wrote this song about Mark and his
catalyzing role in bringing the band together, Mark’s dedication to the band in being able to organize
various elements of writing, recording, and performance cannot be understated. In the same spirit, this
is a song that has a very grateful and optimistic tone.
2.Departed:
Departed keeps the energy high and is the most technically complex song on the record.
Departed borrows some operatic influence and is one of the more progressive songs. The lyrical ideas
stem from AI fiction such as Westworld, The Matrix, and Blade Runner, with themes of questioning
consciousness and revelations about the nature of truth.
3. Radical:
Radical is about a human who integrates his body and mind with technological upgrades, then
regrets his decisions after the artificial intelligence takes control of his consciousness. Radical showcases
our signature spin on the traditional metalcore sound. Utilizing the archetypal story of someone getting
what they wish for in a more negative way than they had imagined, like a genie, or the Twilight Zone.
This song has a more angry and oppressive tone to reflect the struggle of the character getting
consumed by his own technological greed.
4. Summit:
Summit is an exploration of the concept of spiritual value, and the way that giving time and
attention to things gives them power. At times we give this power to things or concepts which do not
add positivity to our lives but instead hollow and degrade our existence. Inspired by the novel American
Gods by Neil Gaiman and the show of the same name. The song also touches on the themes of tradition
versus postmodernism; Do we trust in the concrete past or look to the future, free from constraint?
5. Invaders:
Invaders is a song questioning the place and impact of technology in our world. Do things that
make life easier make us better as a whole society? Does the ability to distract ourselves from our lives
with an ever-growing industry of media help us, or does it make the very things we’re distracted from
grow and ultimately hinder our personal growth? Is there a way back to the way life was before, or are
we stuck now with the culture of dissociation and distraction? The impact of technology has had is
viscerally felt by the band, having been the part of the last generation to grow up without it for the
majority of childhood. No one on the planet can predict how technology will affect humanity as a whole,
for the better or for the worse. Technology has been so useful in creating connection and intimacy,
while also encouraging distraction and apathy. We name drop Black Mirror in this song as a snarky
reference to the show that encompasses the more pessimistic side of this technological commentary.
6. Bloom:
Dreams are something we all share, whether it's a pleasant walk through a garden with a long-
lost friend, a surreal inversion of mundane life, or a horrific run in with an unknowable evil, we all have
them at some time. As universal as dreams themselves is the wish to control these experiences. Bloom
explores this idea, through the eyes of a dreamer who finds themselves tormented until they gain
control. Inspired by the concept of lucid dreaming, and the imaginative power that dreams hold.
Drowning in your own consciousness can be quite scary, and we try to capture some of that energy in a
creative way.
7. Pilgrim:
Pilgrim has one of the more broad scoped lyrics concepts in the album. It talks about social
trends and the kind of philosophy which organizes our society. Our society is organized in a way that
leads many to feel imprisoned and trapped within the social norms and systemic structures that exist.
This song seeks to emulate both the feelings of imprisonment, as well as a more positive vision for our
collective societal future.
8. Flesh Engine:
The original inspiration for Flesh Engine came after seeing Meshuggah live while tripping
on acid. The moshpit seemed to engulf the entire room, the band was like a machine engine that
churned all the bodies into the room into a massive turbine. Flesh Engine is a big ol’ love letter to
identity philosophy as well as a lil sprinkling of cartesian dualism. Commenting on how identity can be
defined as the sum of one’s memories and experiences. The song also comments on how prevalent
overthinking is and also representing negative thought spirals that are an unproductive waste of
thought. The energy of the song feels frustrated, the frustration of figuring out one’s identity, as well as
one’s own mind.
9. Hyper Reels:
A manifesto compilation of seed messages from songs spanning our discography.
10. Iswara:
Similar to Pilgrim, Iswara deals in a broad societal commentary. This time specifically reflecting
on the culture of fear that exists and rules most of the world. At a time when capitalism and
consumerism are dominant powers, our spiritual selves are left starving for genuine meaning and
purpose. This song reflects the plight of the average soul, trying to live without fear, and focusing on the
things we do have, rather than what is absent.
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