HEMINA — Nebulae (review)

HEMINA — Nebulae album cover Album · 2014 · Progressive Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
Time Signature
Otherworldly...

Genre: progressive metal

Following up on their impressive debut full-length "Synthetic" from 2011, the Australian band Hemina are about to release their sophomore full-length effort "Nebulae". Like the debut, "Nebulae" is a concept album and thus has 'prog' written all over it.

"Synthetic" was already a good album, but "Nebulae" tops it. Hemina continue to explore the dark version of progressive metal that they introduced on "Synthetic" and take it in new directions. The psychedelic feel in the form of spacey synths is retained, and the band still showcase their musicianship and songwriting skills without becoming unnecessarily technical. Thus, they keep the balance between atmosphere that characterized the predecessor, but they explore new means of expression. Thus, there are almost djent-like riffs to be heard in 'Lust' and there is a much more epic feel to this album in its entirety. One thing that I really appreciate is that the Australians seem to focus a bit more on the power of the riff on this album, thus delivering several riffs that both rock hard and tickle your intellect.

I praised "Synthetic" for its unpolished production. "Nebulae" is very polished production-wise, but I have to admit that, with the kind of music that Hemina offer up, I prefer the polished production on this album at the end of the day. It simply suits the sophisticated and multifaceted (and multi-layered) compositions much better. As for the musicianship, well, it is still impeccable, and listeners are definitely bound to be impressed.

Fans of progressive metal with a slightly psychedelic edge who prefer atmosphere and expression to technical wankery should definitely check this fine progressive metal album out.
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