AS WE KNOW IT

Hemina

Progressive Metal

3.78 | 23 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Hemina are a relatively new band in the Australian prog scene, although they share members with more established bands Lycanthia and Anubis, both from Sydney.

As such one doesn't necessarily expect much of a self funded 5 track EP from an unsigned band, It didn't take long for them to win me over. "As We Know It" is truly as good as any Australian - or for that matter international progressive metal I could compare it to.

The quintet has a very strong songwriting faculty, technicality aside all of the songs have a very logical and fluent progression, even when the arrangements themselves are rather recondite (in true progressive metal fashion). The EP has an overreaching theme to it and the track progression from one to the next is as polished as the songwriting. The EP sounds like a single coherent work which just happens to be made up of five fantastic songs.

Doug Skene's vocals are amongst the highlights for me. He has a very strong, confident timbre which never sounds overstated even in the song's climactic moments. The second track "And Now To Find A Friend" is a great example of such perfect dynamic heights. Skene actually reminds me of some of James LaBrie's early work in Dream Theater, particularly when he gets up into the higher register. Special mention should also go to the bands flawless vocal harmonies.

The production is very good throughout with a tight, punchy clarity and a large dynamic range. The acoustic guitar tone is a particular standout, as is the excellent vocal production which really allows Skene's personality full reign.

"As We Know It", although brief is an amazing work of art. To give five stars to an EP, especially a debut is perhaps over the top (considering this band still has many years and albums ahead) but it really is comparable only to Brisbane band Arcane's fantastic "Chronicles Of The Waking Dream" in Australia's national scene. As such I think it deserves the rating.

samvallen | 5/5 | 2010-8-24

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