Release date: 25/04/2025
DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS proudly presents the long-awaited debut full-length from Peru’s own heavy metal force, HYENA. Titled About Rock and Roll, this powerhouse release will be available on both CD and vinyl LP.
Emerging from the rugged highlands of Cajamarca, HYENA have been carrying the torch for pure, undiluted heavy metal since 2018. The band was founded by guitarist and primary songwriter Alfonso Espinoza with a single goal in mind: to keep heavy metal raw, wild, and alive.
Forged in the depths of the underground, HYENA’s music is a high-voltage explosion—fast, fierce, and unfiltered. Their demos and rough recordings have circulated worldwide, earning them a dedicated cult following among diehard fans of no-nonsense, old-school metal. Their relentless touring has seen them tear up everything from off-the-grid, underground gatherings in remote corners of the world to headlining major metal festivals across Latin America, Asia, and Oceania—where the fire of heavy metal burns brightest.
Now, HYENA are ready to strike with About Rock and Roll, their aptly titled first full-length assault. This ten-track powerhouse is a blistering homage to heavy metal’s golden era—specifically the late ‘70s, when rock ‘n’ roll was still at the genre’s core. Stuffed with razor-sharp riffs that beg for fists in the air, searing solos that stick in your brain like a battle cry, and a rhythm section that pounds like a relentless war machine, About Rock and Roll is pure, unfiltered metal mayhem. The vocals? A raw, commanding force that cuts through the chaos like a steel blade.
Drawing inspiration from NWOBHM, Japanese heavy metal, and speed metal, HYENA channel the relentless energy of legends like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Motörhead—giants in the genre, but HYENA take up the torch with pure reverence and their own ferocious edge. In celebration of About Rock and Roll, HYENA are set to make their European debut at the legendary Keep It True Festival’s 25th anniversary—an event that promises to be as electrifying as the music itself.
Review
The metal comes from the darkness! Nightriders is up first, and let’s see what we have here. I love my heavy metal ferocious and bloodthirsty, and this is exactly what I get straight away! The steel is delivered at burning point, and the guys come at you like a force not to be messed with! Group shouts and colossal vocal lines are plentiful, making this an absolutely thrilling opener. The pounding drums and razor-sharp riffs create an unstoppable momentum, setting the stage for the chaos that follows. If this track is any indication, we’re in for one hell of a ride!
About Rock And Roll is the albums title track and it kicks things of with a meaty stack of riffs for you to devour! If your a front barrier type of person who likes to headbang frantically and pump your fist then this is going to be for you. Get ready to sweat to rapid speeds you are about to endure with this one. There are some slick licks in here that is for sure and the song feels that there is quite a bit going on! I can kind of imagine this going down well at a party for some reason.
The Eternal Zero will take you to new heights beyond the clouds! I love the uplifting opening riff that the song gives you before you are launched in the bulk of the song. The song tantalises your ears apart with soaring vocal lines and melodies with the main riff weaving in and out. The solo section feels exciting and exhilarating getting you locked in! And one thing I love is how things build up throughout especially with El Sucio giving it his all on the vocals!
Hail The Fire is out to to cause some damage! This is one furious song full of attitude and with devilish intent! Its explosive, fast and ready to destroy anything that gets in its way. There are double kick section, rocketing guitar riffs and burning lead licks that leave everything smoking and in ashes! Even the high pitch screams could shatter glass! Hail The Fire is short to the point and certainly feel likes a song that is going to cause a moshpit!
Epitome of Evil’s intro will get the crowd clapping along or prepped as soon enough listeners will get thrown a leash and pulled into a barrage of monstrous heavy metal! The band continue to deliver burning metal fury that will cause a head rush. Even the change of tempo is a nice addition part way through! But I think one of my favourite moments is the harmonised guitar section that takes over the later part of the song! Excellent stuff
Echoes of the Underworld continues to deliver the volts! Surprisingly this is an instrumental feeling like a huge bout for victory! Theres a big intro of rolling snare patterns and dark sounding rhythms that feels like two enemies looking at each deep in the eyes. Theres some awesome guitar licks throughout which I think are the strength of the song but there also some brief moments where the rhythm work seems a bit bland. The later half how ever is the most eciting as the solo feels like its snapped some chains and has gone of the rails!
Ready to Explode starts of with a whizzing guitar that feels like a missile on route to its target! It transitions to some quick picking guitar work that doesn’t feel super super exciting but as the song progressed there were some cool moments and the chorus is probably one of the strongest parts with the big group shouts. Once again there is also a pretty sweet guitar solo and think this is one of the things that Hyena knows how to do pretty well!
Metal Machine is up next and and we get a glorious harmonised guitar intro that sparkles and glistens. The rhythm work powers things forward while the vocals especially the shouts are guaranteed to catch your attention! Theres even some evil sounding spoken words mixed in which is a nice touch. But what I love the most is the harmonised guitar sections and huge sounding leads that break things apart!
Hyena is just under three minutes so lets see if it packs a punch! Well in true Hyena fashion it speeds along leaving a trail of dripping fuel and is rammed full of delicious riffs to tease the taste buds. Damn the little solo is sexy especially with the tapping moment! El Sucio Delivers another powerful vocal performance that I can imagine blowing people away in a live setting. The song is pretty straightforward but it certainly does pack a punch!
Keep It True will bring out the warrior in you! This is another classic heavy metal attack that will deliver a fist of riffs, pummelling drums pounding bass lines and high pitched screams. The double kick section with the seductive solos on top have to be a highlight for me. I think for me this has to be one of my favourite songs on the album. I love the rich choruses with the fast quick picking guitars and big vocal calls. What a great track to finish the album!
[Second part of review contents here]
Conclusion
While this album delivers a relentless heavy metal onslaught packed with scorching riffs, powerful vocals, and electrifying solos, it isn’t without its weaker moments. The majority of the tracks hit hard with intensity and excitement, but there are moments where thins feel a bit uninspired, lacking the same punch as the standout moments. That said, the album as a whole is still a strong effort, filled with enough energy, anthemic choruses, and face-melting solos to keep metal fans engaged. It may not be perfect, but when it shines, it truly delivers!
TheNwothm Score: 8.5/10
Links
Bandcamp: https://hyenaheavymetal.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HyenaHeavyMetal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyenaheavymetal
Label: https://dying-victims.de/
The Nwothm 
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