Tripper

Where 2007’s There’s No 666 In Outer Space found Hella expanding from duo to quintet, 2011’s Tripper marks their return back to core members Spencer Seim (guitar, bass, synthesizer) and Zach Hill (drums, synthesizer). As a result, Tripper plays with a contrast of unhinged cathartic abandon and a vacuum-sealed tightness that fans of their early instrumental math-rock recordings are sure to appreciate. “Headless” is an explosive first song that opens sounding as if the listener has stumbled upon them playing mid-song. Hill’s rhythmic temper-tantrums build up to a boiling point as Seim’s guitars continuously wind upward revealing that both musicians had to blow off some steam — back in original duo form they now have plenty of room to stretch out and go crazy. “Long Hair” makes good on its name with nods to heavy rock seeping from the maelstrom of brutally loud guitars that start this number. Halfway through, Seim flirts with bellbottomed riffs as Hill releases allocated bursts of rhythmic spray. “Yubacore” is a beautiful standout track with some of the band’s most melodic noise-rock to date.