Hypnoskull – Cyberpunisher (Digital/CD Album – EE Tapes)
I’m no longer in the habit of reviewing re-releases, but as the saying goes, the exception proves the rule. “Cyberpunisher” was originally released on tape in 1994 and, as far as I could find, was only Patrick Stevens’ second production under his sonic alter ego Hypnoskull.
Originally issued in the Netherlands by Ha-Releases, on tape format, this CD edition has been released in Patrick’s homeland, Belgium, by EE Tapes. The front cover has changed, but the thirteen original tracks remain untouched. More importantly, it’s an opportunity to revisit the origins of this project—because back then, everything sounded quite different from what we now associate with Hypnoskull.
The music leans more toward a mix of Ambient and Experimental textures. The atmosphere is unsettling, at times enhanced by eerie vocal fragments. Slow, pulsing rhythms lend a certain accessibility to the tracks, while the latter part of the album drifts into more Industrial yet improvisational territory. It becomes increasingly Experimental—and that’s where it starts to lose me a bit.
This reissue will primarily appeal to dedicated fans and collectors, but it’s still worth a listen for anyone curious about Hypnoskull’s early evolution. Above all, “Cyberpunisher” stands as a historical snapshot—a glimpse into the formative years of an artist who has long since become a fixture in the Industrial scene. (Rating:7).
Listen to “Time Warp 57”:
https://eetapes.bandcamp.com/track/time-warp-57
I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
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