Admittedly this one wasn’t on our radar at the time of its release in September, that being an epic fail. Thank you Hybeeria and New Level Brewing for news that sparked a YouTube rabbit hole, which lead to the unearthing of the video for “Automatic Thrash Machine” from Hyperia’s new album The Serpent’s Cycle. 

First reaction? Holy. Fucking. Shit. 

There are few thing that impress more at On Our Radar than a band that plugs in and then rocks the fuck out. It’s the closest thing one gets to standing in the pit of the Cobalt, Red Gate, or Santa Ana Denny’s without leaving the house. 

Speaking of the Cobalt, it’s the 900-block of Main Street where “Automatic Thrash Machine” starts out, two job-deficient dudes walking by Source antiques and up to an ATM that turns out to be magical. 

Thanks to someone’s mom refusing to pony up, the withdrawal screen reads “insufficient funds,” with an added kicker of “Screw You. Loser.” But following a minor electrical-magnetic miracle, we’re suddenly beamed past the doorman and club ticket taker to the inside of the Cobalt, where Hyperia is in the process of kicking a major amount of ass.

Added bonus: imagine a world where free PBR magically shows up in your hand. 

Before we get to the non-stop action, props to the acting chops of the two financially strapped dudes who win the ATM lottery, and to “Automatic Thrash Machine” director Brian Cucek for producing a clip Headbangers Ball would have once been honoured to air. Also a quick note to the metal maniac with the beard: you might want to do a better job of shielding your PIN number the next time a camera’s rolling. 

Back to the subject of headbanging, the members of Hyperia show up fully ready to commit, everyone on board with a complete and utter disregard for whatever neck muscles keep the human head upright, and to their collective livers. 

Sonically Hyperia is beyond crazy-tight here, all relentless ride-the-lightning guitar riffage from Skyler Mills and Colin Ryley, rolling-thunder bass and drums from Jon Power and Aaron Bell. Whisky-chugging vocalist Marlee Ryley comes off, awesomely, like someone who can’t decide who she loves more: Vancouver’s 3 Inches of Blood or Austin’s mighty Die Spitz. 

Strap in, and hang on. As our unemployed two friends correctly note at the video’s end, “Whooa. What a sweet party, eh?” Fucking A. 

Hyperia plays a The Serpent’s Cycle release party at the WISE Hall on December 15. Go here for tickets.