Hellas - If We Had Met Earlier Things Might Have Turned Out Differently

After a long period of silence, Copenhagen-based duo Hellas are back with their debut album If We Had Met Earlier Things Might Have Turned Out Differently — out July 07, 2023 via nynode intermedia. After releasing their EPs '209' & 'Pop' and the acclaimed track 'Dances' the band — consisting of pianist Peter Sabroe and drummer Jeppe Høi Justesen — took a break to focus on new material that would eventually become the first compositions for a full-length album. Hours of recorded improvisations were arranged afterwards to slowly shape what would be the new sound of the duo. After three years of experimenting and writing various compositions the album slowly began to unravel itself and took its final form. Eleven unique pieces — deep explorations of sound — that all have their own story to tell are assembled in this collection of snapshots from the past years.

The album is mixed and co-produced together with Brian Batz (Sleep Party People, Trentemøller, Kaae & Batz and many more) who gave the album its deep substance and clear sound. From quiet ambient pieces to pumping grooves — this captivating album shows a great variety of musical pictures that will take the listener on an adventurous journey.

Hellas is a Copenhagen-based instrumental duo, composed of drummer Jeppe Justesen and pianist Peter Sabroe. The two first met in Aarhus back in 2008, but it wasn’t until they both got accepted to RMC (Rhythmic Music Conservatory of Copenhagen) in 2014 that they began to play together. While playing together in various bands and ensembles they found a mutual interest in experimental music which led to the formation of Hellas.

Their first two EPs '209' and 'POP' are a body of work completed during 2016-2017 in which the duo thoroughly investigated the possibilities of prepared piano and alternative recording techniques. The latter received critical acclaim from various international blogs — especially praising the the unique and interesting instrumentation and preparation of the piano on the title track. After this period of unfolding hidden potential of their instruments Hellas turned their backs on their former live-recording approach in favor to a more production focused workflow. This lead to the single 'Dances' in 2018 which exhibited a more dense and eclectic sound that opened up new possibilities for the duo’s musical explorations. Pursuing this new sound recording of a full-length album commenced in autumn 2018. In 2023 Hellas then presents their first album — If We Had Met Earlier Things Might Have Turned Out Differently that shows a wide range of musical expressions within sound.