Track By Tracks: Hyperstrike - High Risk (2025)

1. MELTDOWN:

Chop Daddy: Right off the bat. The record was produced entirely on Linux with free software (yes, free plugins). Meltdown was inspired by the album “The Spectral Sorrows” by Edge of Sanity. I had a gig in Portland the night before writing this, and I woke up with the melody stuck in my head. So in true Hyperstrike fashion, I cut the demo in 3 hours.

2. LEAVING YOU AGAIN:

Chop Daddy: Ever been in an “on again, off again” relationship? This is the anthem for you. Inspired by (again) Edge of Sanity. I sent this album to Dan Swano. He really liked it. Shoutout to Dan for being such a gentleman and taking the time to listen to our full album.

3. HIGH RISK:

Chop Daddy: When you’ve got nothing left to lose. No Risk, No Reward. I love punk music. I was trying to make something hardcore influenced. I love Pennywise, Strung-Out, Nofx, Satanic Surfers etc. This is my ode to them. Also, the Jet-Li movie “High Risk” aka “Meltdown.”

Brain Lord: This song is straight up about taking the $1,200 bucks you made after a deadbeat tour and dropping it all on the roulette table rather than paying back your investor. Hitting that 35:1 payout on 12 benjis takes you from zero hero when you have nothing else to lose.

Siberian Claw: Goblin tracked this whole album in an office chair because he forgot his throne... truly an “all or none” attitude on this track, and echoed through the rest of the album.

4. SHADOWBOUND:

Siberian Claw: In sickness and in health. In life and death. She said she was gonna let you hit, but then the living world she hath left. Now that the body is cold, it’s time to go collect on that promise.

5. WARNING SHOT:

Chop Daddy: This song’s about Mania. The album leans heavily into this theme. (I wonder why, it’s almost like someone in this band is Bi-Polar.)

6. SLUG CITY:

Chop Daddy: A cage fighter for slug-alien spectators. Brain Lord told me, “you need to write a sludgy, paced one, keep it simple.” This song draws inspiration from bands like Type O Negative and Crowbar.

7. STEEL HEART:

Chop Daddy: A song about overcoming yourself. Sharpen your weapon, polish your steel. Inspired by Wintersun.

8. SLOWMAN:

Chop Daddy: Dan Swano’s favorite one. It's dedicated to people who get shot down for being “stupid” or “slow.” In the end time is on our side.

Siberian Claw: Dan also said “the guitarist really has it dialed in!”. I agree, and appreciate the recognition.

9. KING OF THE SLAIN:

Siberian Claw: After the dust settles from a battle that ended with no winners, one lone survivor wakes to realise he is the last man alive. New life flourishes, and tinyfolk emerge to build their kingdom from the remnants of the old. The lone warrior is the god of this new world, but would that be enough to feed his sense of purpose? This song is totally not inspired by Wintersun.

10. SAVAGE SWORD:

Chop Daddy: In a world where the rings of Saturn broadcast a simulation, veiling mankind, one man takes a stand with the sword of destiny, to decapitate the evil one whose spell we are under. I played a gig in Portland the night before writing this. Once again, I woke up with a melody in my head. The lead at the beginning is the original lead I cut in one take right off the dome that morning. Inspired by Katatonia and My Dying Bride.

No Risk, No Reward: Bottom line, this album rips from head to toe. We poured our heart, soul, sweat, blood, tears, and cum into this album. We all have our inspirations that shaped us, but put all our unique voices together, there is really nothing quite like it. This is High Risk. THIS IS HYPERSTRIKE!