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.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

A Sonication Technical Death Metal
OBSCURA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Hin helga kvöl Atmospheric Sludge Metal
SÓLSTAFIR
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Cycles of Suffering Black Metal
BURIAL OATH
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Suns of Perdition - Chapter IV: To Shadow Zion Black Metal
PANZERFAUST
Buy this album from MMA partners
Facilis Descensus Averno Death Metal
SAEVUS FINIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

DAWN OF REVENGE - Sanctuary [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Farewell [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Curtain of Death - [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Vengeance [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - I Need You [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed