New EP “humANIMALization” Out Now!
Bottom L-R: : | ARIYAN Rezaei Jahromi (guitar) | Ivo Matuš (drums) Top: | Peter ’PETZ’ Schwabl (bass, storytelling) Photo Credit Vicky vanSane
Austrian funk prog metallers Hog Meets Frog recently released their third EP on February 24th. The record is a non-conceptual concept EP under the motto of the title: “humANIMALization”.Its purpose is to be witty and entertaining as it flirts with obscurity and is meant to be entirely thought-provoking for listeners.
Frontman Peter ’PETZ’ Schwabl explains:
"When the animal in the human awakens, then, for example, one turns into a bigot monkey and the other becomes an insecure piggy, one becomes a peeping control bear and the other becomes a greedy stock market bull. Just this behavior - sometimes silly, monkey or also clumsy, bearish - is told in the lyrics, as well as through the wide range of sound worlds and riffs.”
Today, in support of the EP, the band is sharing a trippy and fun playthrough for the track "Peeping-Bear’s Exegesis of Not Peeping".
"Here you see us get into some slap-around funk groove with my guitarist Ariyan, we get many comments that's it like a Les Claypool / Primus track, it's funky, weird and just good times making silly music with a message." says bassist/vocalist - Peter ’PETZ’ Schwabl.
"Peeping-Bear’s Exegesis of Not Peeping" was written by Schwabl to tell a story where the peeping bear symbolizes the intelligence services and control freaks of this world, starting with the NSA scandal up to the possibilities of digitally utilized psychometric tools used for influencing elections by corporations or rich power-hungry people and warmongers.
"This and much more we have packed into the in the sleeve of the sympathetic voyeur bear, who on top of that smilingly believes that he is spying, spying and eavesdropping on everyone with good reason and only with the best of intentions," adds Schwabl.
Watch and listen to the playthrough for "Peeping-Bear’s Exegesis of Not Peeping" at https://youtu.be/5CNDLMrWTuY
With influences ranging all over the musical spectrum from progressive and death metal to jazz, to world music and funk, there is something for everyone in the riffs and chords that Hog Meets Frog presents on this avant-garde record.
The band finds that the best approach to serious topics is with fun and that is emphasized with “humANIMALization”. Most people will first notice the cheerful, funny, sick side of Hog Meets Frog, but a few will remove the mask and then let themselves fall into the deepest depths of the music and lyrics and see what thoughts lie dormant there: Stories that life writes.
Adventurous listeners are invited to go through the looking glass and find the deeper meaning in each of the tracks on the EP, or simply frolic in the bright colours on the surface. “humANIMALization” is recommended for fans of System of a Down, Primus, Red Hot Chili Peppers, TOOL, and Frank Zappa.
“humANIMALization” was released on February 24, 2023 and is available on Hogmeetsfrog.bandcamp.com, Spotify.
Track Listing: 1. Of Snakes ‘n’ Moles ‘n’ Bulls ‘n’ Dough (4:32) 2. Peeping-Bear’s Exegesis of Not Peeping (5:10) 3. Apes Don’t Smoke Cigars – Just Pipes (4:47) 4. Stuff(ed), Cage(d) & Enslave(d) (3:25) 5. ZIGGY The Unpigcorn (3:46) EP Length: 21:42
EP Band Lineup: Ivo Matuš – Drums (peeping-bear’s exegesis of not peeping || apes don’t smoke cigars – just pipes) Christoph ‘fizl’ Hehn – Drums (of snakes ‘n’ moles ‘n’ bulls ‘n’ dough || stuff(ed), cage(d) & enslave(d) || ZIGGY the unpigcorn) ARIYAN Rezaei Jahromi – Guitar Peter ’PETZ‘ Schwabl – Bass, Storytelling
Live Band Lineup: Christoph ‘fizl’ Hehn – Drums ARIYAN Rezaei Jahromi – Guitar Peter ‘PETZ‘ Schwabl – Bass, Storytelling
For more info: Hogmeetsfrog.com | Facebook.com/hogmeetsfrog | Twitter.com/hogmeetsfrog | Instagram.com/hogmeetsfrog | Tiktok.com/@hogmeetsfrog
"If you are a fan of the jerky, spiky, awkward sounds of Primus you’ll love this. I daresay if you enjoy a bit of early Red Hot Chili Peppers you may also dig this – certain parts of the record do have a sneak peek toward Frank Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention and The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown – not too obviously, but those sly, sideways little looks are there." - Ever- Metal UK "There’s an element of uniqueness to how each of these songs are written, although you can’t deny the clear influence of say the Primus bass lines or Zappa-esc experimentation, yet it is within the niche, thematic storytelling that gives Hog Meets Frog a real musical identity. The way they can tell a story with humour yet allow you to consider the real and often times scary true circumstances behind where these stories originate is what gives this band their staple. Certainly one to look out for in the future, long live Sqeekquackmusic!" - Metal Epidemic "If the song titles like Apes don't smoke cigars, just pipes are very funny, the musical aspects are of very high quality and definitely not "suitable for a headband". Sure, funk isn't a run-of-the-mill genre to sing along to, but sophisticated music at the highest level. So to speak, jazz music of the metal species. One can clearly register the inspiration of Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Primus and Co. on this record, whereby the songs transport positive energy." - Rock Magazine
--