The Hypersonic Factor: Benevolent Beasts

Somehow, this one slipped through the cracks of 2025 releases. Thanks to Len Davis, Benevolent Beasts was mentioned on the 4Fusion Friday best of 2025 show, and one must heed the advice of friends and check this out. This quartet blurs the lines of progressive rock and fusion with their all-instrumental sophomore release.

A jazzy feel greets the listener for the opening “Groove for Danny�, nice guitar work here and throughout the album. An excellent opening track that shows off each band member. The band utilizes the acoustic guitar on “Salome’s Dance�, keep your ears open for the unison guitar and piano runs which are terrific. Check out “The Simurgh.� The entire band rips through this track, with so much energy. “The Proximity Dance� is a fun listen for the soloing alone; both guitar and keys have plenty of room to roam. As easy as it is to get lost in the soloing, make sure to check out how tight bassist Mirko Borach and drummer Tom Hipskind lock in. The band switches gears quite well, check out “Groove Goblin� for that funky bass in the beginning, and changing to the more laid-back keyboard section featuring more standout guitar. These past few songs also have a bit of an experimental feel in spots.

Guitarist Dan van den Berg is outstanding, and the album features plenty of interplay between him and keyboardist Jason Rubenstein; together, they are the special sauce here. The album continues to grow on me, the plus of music is a lot to absorb, but it’s been time well spent.

Favorite Tracks: Groove for Danny, The Simurgh, Groove Goblin

Track Listing
1. Groove for Danny
2. Salome’s Dance
3. 83
4. Hypersonic Groove
5. The Simurgh (feat. William Paasche)
6. It’s Probably Not You
7. The Proximity Dance
8. Hypersonic Spectrum
9. Groove Goblin
10. From Dawn till Dusk
11. Dark Matter
12. Funk Off
13. Light and Shade
14. Benevolent Beasts: Coda

Added: January 20th 2026
Reviewer: Eric Porter
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 65
Language: english

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