AS WE KNOW IT

HEMINA are a promising new Prog-Metal band out of Australia.They mention in the liner notes that this EP is a sample of what to expect with their new album "Sythetic" due out in 2011. So we get over 24 minutes of music here to sample.

"Lonesome Angel" is an atmospheric intro really of spacey synths and vocals. "And Now To Find A Friend" opens with strummed guitar before it kicks in quickly. Synths too. Vocals before 1 1/2 minutes as the drums pound. It settles before 3 1/2 minutes but it's brief. A calm before 5 minutes as the piano comes in. It kicks in again a minute later before it settles 7 1/2 minutes in with reserved vocals. A full sound one more time before 9 minutes. Great tune.

"For All The Wrong Reasons" is my least favourite. Vocals and strummed guitar to start. I just like his vocals in the other songs a lot more. Drums before 3 minutes. Guitar follows. "With What I See" is better. Piano to open before it turns uptempo with pounding drums as the vocals join in. I like this a lot. Spoken words after 4 minutes then the guitar starts to solo.Vocals are back late. It ends with piano. "The Hunt" like the intro track is a short atmospheric piece.

I like their style and I really like the vocalist. "And Now To Find A Friend" and "With What I See" are the highlights for me by far. I look forward to hearing their new album when it comes out even if it is described as a narrative driven concept album.

A fine introduction to Hemina

My friend John Davie's review of this new Aussie band caught my eye and I decided to have a listen. The five-piece outfit led by frontman Doug Skene released this EP in the summer of 2010 and a full length debut is slated for sometime in 2011. When I heard the vocals were in the James Labrie arena I started to worry a bit (not my favorite guy to put it mildly) but Skene's vocals stop short of Labrie's overbearing melodrama. In fact Hemina, who I imagine are often compared to DT in reviews and articles, have some of the positive attributes of DT without the Labrie factor or the over reliance on shred. The tracks are powerful metal indeed, with a nice heavy melodic chug, but have two nice diversions.

First, there are some nice breaks from the heaviness where piano and acoustic guitar are used to very good effect, and second are some spacey synths which add another layer to the sound. Sometimes the production gets a bit too thick during the heavier parts, but for the most part it is reasonably easy to hear the individual performers. The band seems to possess a good grasp of vocal harmonies and mixing "mood" into their heaviness, the "mood" of this EP seems to be an upbeat/positive one. Skene's solos are tasteful and pleasing, and the drumming is mighty without incessant blast. These are well developed songs that are really catchy and enjoyable without being trite. While I'm not exactly a huge metal fanboy by any stretch, I might have to check out this debut when it drops. This is a good, really fun EP that shows off a band with potential and passion. My advice is that they keep following those little sound diversions and interludes which bring their own personality to the fore, while enriching the songs.

Following a brisk atmospheric opening with thick, surprising vocal harmonies, one may expect a progressive metal onslaught, but this doesn't happen outright, as the band teases with a bright acoustic passage first. The band relies on a charging rhythm section, dual electric guitars, and a typical synthesizer lead. The proper metal music, particularly the vocals, makes me think of Blue Oyster Cult if they were a progressive metal band. The bass guitarist makes her presence known- I love the tone and the performance. The dual lead guitar is satisfying, as are all the guitars. The male vocalist reminds me of Incubus. The third song is acoustic and almost Enchant-like, as the vocalist is similar to Ted Leonard. The fourth is a more typical progressive metal song, but nonetheless engaging. The lead guitar playing is extremely tasteful, not indulgent, but not boring either, and once again, knowledgeable about dual lead in an impressive way. The last piece is a Neo-prog lullaby. Frankly, this is a dynamic and eclectic progressive metal EP that is extremely well-crafted; I like this as well as Dream Theater, for what it's worth.