Hybris

Hybris was the first studio album by the Swedish progressive rock group Änglagård.

Released in late 1992 it would become one of the most influential albums of the new wave of progressive rock in the 90s. It begins with “Jordrök” (which means earth smoke), the only fully instrumental piece on the album.

The music is quite similar to 70’s prog-rock groups such as Yes, Cathedral and King Crimson, but Änglagård has also succeeded in creating their own style, much thanks to Holmgren’s folklore-sounding flute play and Olsson’s highly distinctive drumming (he was only 17 in 1992). There are also obvious similarities to the obscure 1970s band Cathedral’s one-shot album Stained Glass Stories.

Today, the album is extremely difficult to find and can almost be considered a rarity in progressive rock history.

The title appears to derive from the Greek ὕβρις, a word normally transliterated in English as “hubris”.

“Kung Bore” means “King Winter”.

On the remastered CD-version of the album, there is a bonus track called “Gånglåt från Knapptibble” which seems to be a demo of the song “Skogsranden” from their second album, Epilog.

Personnel

Thomas Johnson: Mellotron, Hammond Organ B-3 & L-100, Solina, Clavinet, Pianet, Korg Mono/Poly, Piano & Church Organ (Electronic Version)
Jonas Engdegård: Stratocaster, Gibson 335, Nylon & Steel Acoustic Guitars
Tord Lindman: Vocals, Gibson 335, Nylon & Steel Acoustic Guitars
Johan Högberg: Rickenbacker Bass, Bass Pedals & Mellotron Effects
Anna Holmgren: Flute