An Ashton music collective with 13 members across the UK has this month released its fifth album.

Experimental group Hyberus launched their album Road Less Travelled across their digital platforms earlier this month, and a limited vinyl edition will be released next year.

The collective began life during a one-off show at Concrete at The Ferret in February 2015, but at the time, the group was under a different name and was only comprised of members Dave Gate and Mikey Southworth. Hyberus have since added more members, played live, and produced five albums. 

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The new album has only two side-long tracks. Side one showcases the group’s rhythmic and guitar-based side, with guitarists Paul Dilworth, Mikey Southworth and Rob Andrews battling it out over Dave Gate’s electronics.

Side two is laid-back, with new member Bench on cello accompanying Maddi Lord on violin, Christina Astle-Alvarez on piano, Rob Andrews on bass guitars, Dave Gate’s electronics and keyboards, and Dai Rees’s percussion.

Of the 13 members, six are based in Preston, mainly Ashton, with others in Salford, Horwich, Atherton, Hebden Bridge, Kendal, Shrewsbury and Cardiff. 

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They include Rob Andrews, bass and guitars, Christina Astle-Alvarez, piano, keyboards, electronics and bass, Cherie Beatty, guitar and live sound, Frank Beaver, piano, Bench, cello, flute and bouzouki, Paddy Bromley, saxophone, Dave Chambers, drums, Paul Dilworth, guitars, Dave Gate, electronics, keyboards and glissando guitar, Rory Green, guitars, Maddi Lord, violin and viola, Dai Rees, drums and percussion, and Mikey Southworth, guitars and bass.

The group records in Dave’s home studio or on location, but some members record at home.

Hyberus hope to play live again soon, with line-ups varying to fit the space and the availability of the members. The group are already at work on the next album, provisionally titled ‘Water Stories’.

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To stream or download the new album, visit – https://hyberus.bandcamp.com/

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