There will be those of you out there who will flee as soon as I mention that Sydney five-piece Hemina skirt that fine line between metal and progressive rock, but it will be those who are judgmental who will miss out learning that their new album Synthetic announces these guys as one of the most exciting groups in the Aussie metal scene.
Sure, this album won’t be everybody’s cup-of-tea but if you’re still listening after the very Gothic opener that is ‘This Hour Of Ours’ then you’re in for something special. However, to be honest ‘To Conceive A Plan’ doesn’t promise much. Sure the orchestrial sound is impressive but after a mega-long opening the tracks builds up so much that when the vocals do hit they sound disappointing, but it is then that Synthetic really picks up.
‘The Boy Is Dead’ reveals some better vocals from Doulglas Skene while the guitar playing reaches another level again. By the time the smoother sound of ‘For All The Wrong Reasons’ swung around I was certainly hooked.
‘And Now To Find A Friend’ sees Hemina mix together a really 80s style of metal with the modern symphonic sound while ‘With What I See’ reaching some epic heights with yet some more brilliant guitar playing. Hemina prove their worth when some sweet vocals are an absolute highlight on the slowed down ‘Hunting Is For Women’.
‘Even In Heaven’ sees a much more brutal side to Hemina and it is hear that you realise these guys are one of the best symphonic metal acts that Australia has released. The slowed down and very-Gothic sounding ‘Conduit To The Sky’ will be skipped by some, but it did find a place in my heart.
Synthetic then closes with two great tracks. ‘Haunting Me!’ sees Hemina working together beautifully while ‘Divine’ sees them reach their epic best yet again.
If you’re searching for something new from the Aussie metal scene that you certainly must check out Hemina, you won’t be disappointed with Synthetic.
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