SYNTHETIC

In the trend to bring prog metal closer to the popular public (see Seventh Wonder, Sun Caged, etc) the Australian band Hemina represents probably the outmost edge, outdoing even the S.Wonder guys. The goal here is to cram as much sugarsweet melodies, teen heartthrob vocals, atmospheric breaks, songs about love-torn angels on top of pummelling riffs as possible with some death shout to boot (it is a strange world today indeed, where death shouts actually make the music more popular than not). The emphasis on melodies is actually kinda curious, since the band leader, Douglas Skene, looks on photos like a Klingon (tough, hairy aliens from Star Trek) :)

Anyway, its impressive still for a debut album to feature five not half bad songs over the 10-minute mark, although the transitions may seem a bit awkward at times, as well as several sugarsweet loud rockers meant to throw your fist in the air while holding on with the other hand to your girlfriend. If you are not allergic to bombast, you might as well check this one out.