HADEON

Hadeon was formed in 2014 by Alessandro Floreani, Fabio Flumiani, Federico Driutti, Gianluca Somma, and Lorenzo Blasutti. They released their sole full length work in December 2017. The band claimed as their influences all of the usual classic '70s prog giants as well as neo-prog bands like Pendragon, Moon Safari, IQ, and prog and metal bands Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, Threshold. On the album's concept, per the band website, "the album Sunrise bases its roots in the nature of the human being. By using music as a communicative element, Hadeon identify some of the disorders and illnesses that affect the modern man. Such dramas are manifested as characters that tell their stories to the listener through the songs. Throughout the listening, the songs becomes increasingly gloomy and sad examining the most desperate cases. The intent of Sunrise focuses on the search of oneself through sorrow, on the need and the will to always find the remedy, even in the most extreme cases, to end the distress and return to the light."

Hadeon plays an accessible, melodic prog metal that balances complexity with an ability to be pleasing on the ears. It is not overly heavy, crushing, or mechanical, although they can and do rock. When I first played the album, I didn't really hear any of the bands they listed as influences. To me, they sounded more like a slightly less-heavy, more melodic Pain of Salvation. Those tiptoeing, sustained guitar notes in pattern building up to the full powerful chords and chugs. Even the vocals are not too different from Daniel Gildenlöw though a bit softer perhaps, generally. The songwriting is adventurous, occasionally intense, but more often melodic and soaring in nature. I like how they incorporate softer touches. "Chaotic Picture" begins with gorgeous piano lines before blending them with guitar. "Never Thought" has a cool folk vibe with acoustic guitars and tablas, quite a departure. The 10-minute title track closes the album by opening with up-front fluid basslines and gentle piano before developing through several different motifs and some great lead guitar work. On February 19, 2019, Hadeon announced on social media that the band had ended. It is unfortunate because this was a pretty solid debut. Check it out if you're into Perfect Element-Remedy Lane era Pain of Salvation.