HEKZ – Caerus (2014-2015)

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If you had any doubt about the current state of health of the British Progressive Metal scene, let these guys reassure you: HEKZ is one of the most promising bands from UK, as their sound flirts with classic influences and modern approaches in equal doses. I did not liked much their debut from three years ago, but the new record “Caerus” it’s a completely different beast to me. And a crushing beast indeed.

On “Caerus”, HeKs finally feels really focused. The band managed to set the ground to build something truly great on their follow up release, and now keyboards play a major part in the proceedings, giving the music an exciting extra dimension and a different feel.
But this album is about much more than some additional instrumentation: this is a grandiose project in which confidence abounds and creative ambition has been given free rein. The result is a superb piece of work, which grows on the listener with every hearing.
With roots firmly planted in the prog metal essentials, the expected sounds and architectures are there, with due reference to Rush, Dream Theater, Threshold, etc. But there’s flamboyance and grandeur and a fundamental Britishness in this album too, which, along with some in-your-face harmonies and breathtaking lead vocal range, remind me of no-one more than the mighty Queen.

If you focus on this record behind the excellent musicianship of every single player involved within the project (guest or bandmate), the production of this album is truly stellar. I find that one of the biggest problems with most progressive albums out there tend to be the drum sounds. Many artists and producers within the genres tend to focus a bit too much on the precision of the performance, rather than on the actual feel and emotion (yes, drums are emotional instrument too, or they actually should be, since they are the backbone of the tracks!).
In this particular case, the drums are precise and on-point, but they don’t feel over engineered. On the contrary, they are groovy and they lock in perfectly with everything else.

The dual guitar complex work shine here. The six-string instruments cover so many dynamics here, from walls of distortion to delicate arpeggio and smooth carpets of effects that they drive the mood of the tracks and accentuate the vocals perfectly.
This album is incredibly balanced too. Everything sets out to find its own space and there is nothing that overpowers the whole mix needlessly.

All songs are truly enjoyable, but “From Obscurity To Eternity” is one of the highlights with its sudden yet abrupt change in atmosphere during one section. The hook embedded within the fabric of this song really shines and is perfectly executed.
“Progress And Failure” is a brooding seven minute masterpiece, yet so is the sub four minute take on modern society “Disconnect The World”, very reminiscent of Rush yet more punchy. The epic in length tracks like “The Black Hand” (with some Queen in it) and “Homo Ex Machina” with its intricate guitar work never bored the listener with repeated passages, instead always looking for a prog way out. You know what I mean, why write a closing passage that lasts three minutes, when one lasting five minutes works just as well.

Also listen out for the bounding across wasteland moment before changing tact to a piano and spacious melody within “The Left Hand Of God”. “Kingdom” showcases some subtle textures which are welcome and spices up the ebb and flow of the whole album.
I mentioned long durations earlier with regards to two of the songs which take the listener on quite a journey, but it is album closer “Journey’s End” which proves to be the ultimate audio trip caged within ‘Caerus’. An ideal curtain call, it throws everything except the kitchen sink at us. Great composition plenty of emotion.

England’s HeKz is proof that progressive metal continues to advance from one generation to the next. This young band has recorded a terrific second album, imaginative, diverse, melodic and at the same time punchy.
All the guys are fantastic players, but there is no doubt that the powerful and individual sound of Matt Young’s vocal talent is a major driving force in HeKz’s success, sometimes in tenor mode, sometimes high pitched, but always a joy to listen to.
Released at the end of last year but available only now due some manufacturing troubles, “Caerus” (in Greek mythology, the personification of opportunity, luck and favorable moments) it’s the perfect title for this record. HeKz is ready for the major leagues.
Certainly a mandatory buying if you enjoy well written and constructed melodic progressive metal.
Impressive.

01 – Progress & Failure
02 – Liberation
03 – Disconnect The World
04 – From Obscurity To Eternity
05 – The Black Hand
06 – Kingdom
07 – The Left Hand Of God
08 – Homo Ex Machina
09 – Journey’s End

Matt Young – Vocals, Bass
Al Beveridge – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Tom Smith – Guitar, Backing Vocals
James Messenger – Keyboards
Kirk Brandham – Drums
Audrey Riley – Cello
Abi Murray – Flute
Owen Hughes – Violin

BUY IT !
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