[Cover photo credit to Sam Coussens]

Belgian Progressive Post-Hardcore quintet Hippotraktor have released “Renegade” the latest single from their forthcoming full-length album Stasis, due for release on June 7th, 2024 via Berlin’s Pelagic Records.

Consisting of seven compositions written with the five-piece in mind, Hippotraktor’s second record has a multilayered structure. Hippotraktor expanded upon their sound in 2021 by introducing vocalist Stefan De Graef (also of Psychonaut).

“Renegade” is lifted from the middle of the concept album’s narrative. The piece sees “a nameless protagonist bravely declare war against the insidious Silver Tongues, voices of greed and corruption that have wormed their way into the ear of humanity.”

The album Stasis has an “ongoing tale charting the fragile trajectory of human nature in an age of spiralling inequality and unchecked greed.” Taken from the Greek word for “stoppage”, the album’s title is “a call to action and compassion in a world that’s hurtling towards a cynical standstill.”

Songwriter Chiaran Verheyden says about “Renegade”:

’Renegade’ is my favourite song on the new album. I remember going to a show – the lights went out, the band coming on stage, and at the same time I heard a riff in my head that would be perfect as an opener. After the show, the first thing I did was rush home and record what would become ‘Renegade’s first riff. 

Hippotraktor plays the 15th Edition of Pelagic Fest in Maastricht, NL on 24-25 August, 2024.