Hyper Battle is back with the second installment in the adventures of Cylo Hyper and Juno James as they search the galaxy for extinguished light. Their adventures in the first installment concluded with a narrow escape aboard a rocket to Enlightenment. Much has transpired by the time we rejoin them and their accomplices on an instrumental journey through time and space.
Musically, Hyper Battle II reflects the darkening scope in which Cylo and Juno now find themselves, on the run to 'Forgotten Space,' where programmed drums clatter and juxtapose languid guitar lines while steady bass and guitar riffs center the track for a meditative, positive longing. 'I Am the Danger' bridges distorted and clean guitar riffs, bringing to life a menacing portrait of the enemy, whoever that may be. Cylo and June are on the run in 'The Outlaw' which puts synths, slide guitar and power chords together all over a funky beat, sounding a bit like Ennio Moricone in the thirtieth century. The mood gets plaintive for 'Echoes of the Past' driven by piano and bubbly synth leads. The set concludes with 'There is Light Somewhere,' a spacey, synth led track with contemplative guitar lines, giving hope to our heroes that they will indeed find what they've set out for, the extinguished light of compassion in the universe.
"Cylo screamed at June to hurry as they rushed out of the main corridor down the narrow hallway. Sirens blared. If they had any chance of escape, they were going to have to make it to FS-01, FORGOTTEN SPACE. Cylo and June turned the corner as Tyzer flares flew past and narrowly missed them. One hit from a flare would temporarily paralyze them long enough to put them back into custody. Ryvin wasn’t trying to kill them, after all; he needed them alive to fulfill his plan.
Sentinel guards continued to chase them through the station, firing a steady array of flares. A ricochet from a flare shot hit Cylo’s right arm, temporarily blocking the use of it. His stolen Tyzer fell to the ground. June picked it up and fired a few flares back at the soldier, hitting him in the chest and left leg. As the guard dropped to the ground they turned and saw it at the end of the extensive corridor. It was the door leading to the platform where FS-01 was waiting for them. The sirens stopped. They ran as fast as they could when they heard a voice coming from June’s wrister. “June! Stop! Don’t go through the door!” It was the voice of Dr. Juliot James, June’s mother.
The wide doors slowly opened, and Sentinel guards surrounded them. Their Tyzers were drawn and pointed directed at Cylo and June. A man stepped out from behind the guards. He looked to be in his late 20s with a menacing smile which gleamed as he approached them. They both knew who he was; Silvius Ripley, the son of Ryvin Ripley. “You’re quite the specimen, Cylo. You have managed to outmaneuver our best soldiers and make it here, but there is no rescuing the girl and making your great escape. That is a fantasy, and unfortunately, we live in a harsher reality. The reality here is that June is coming with me, and this is the end of your journey. My father only needs her.” Cylo looked behind Silvius through the door. He saw movement in the shadows but couldn’t tell exactly what it was. Suddenly, out stepped Jarvys.
“Ah, there you are,” said Silvius, “Lock her wrists and take her down to CB-71. I’m going to personally escort Cylo off of this ship.” Then he turned to Cylo and pointed his finger into his chest, “Looks like you’ve hit the end of the road.” Jaryvs looked at Cylo with a clever look in his eye. He took his hands and put them over June’s ears then did the same to Cylo. Jarvys then put his hands on his ears as he turned to look at Silvius. “Right away, Mr. Ripley.” I’m sending a message to the CB Sentinels now to prepare the lockdown cell. We can’t have her escaping again.” Jarvys pressed a combination of buttons on his wrister. A high pitched noise blared in the corridor as the sentinels fell to the floor, grabbing at their ears. Silvius too fell to his knees, struggling to concentrate and stand up.
Jarvys grabbed Cylo and June and hurried them through the door into FS-01 just as Silvius managed to get his wrister to stop the high pitched noise. More sentinels entered the corridor, armed with B-97 Lazer guns. Cylo activated the ship as June and Jarvys put on their space suits. Cylo pushed the thruster forward as the ship lifted off of the platform and down the long exit tunnel. Sentinels fired their B-97s at the ship, striking it a few times. Silvius fiddled with his wrister and the tunnel doors started to close. “Hurry, Cylo!” screamed June. The ship picked up speed and narrowly made it through the tunnel doors before they closed. They had managed to escape from Ryvin and Silvius."
(Excerpt from full story automatically included with full download)
credits
released August 4, 2023
All songs written by Dominic Elliott
All instruments by Dominic Elliott except
Drums and drum programming by Lee Durham
Art Direction by Dominic Elliott and Lee Durham
Mastered by Lee Durham
Just what the doctor ordered: three winsome, toe-tapping tracks that combine top-notch funk breaks, slinky pianos, and sultry soul vocals. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 31, 2019
