Hevein - Sound Over Matter
Candlelight USA records - 2006
By Adam McAuley
What we're presented with here is an album whose categorization is difficult to pin down because it shares similarities to bands within the melo-death genre, but also has some strands of hardcore and a very strong symphonic or synthesized element. Altogether the combination of styles makes it a fairly interesting listen and a sort of swirly orchestration overwhelms you as you get wrapped up within its layers.
However, the element holding the album back in my opinion is a very cheesy vocal style lending itself to metalcore, though the band themselves don't necessarily fall within that genre. The vocals are somewhat annoying, but the excellent Dark Tranquillity-like soundscapes more than make up for this detriment. Orchestration is flawlessly blended into each song and heightens the tension immensely. See the track “Worth Fighting For” for an excellent example of this aspect. Again, they're a very ambiguous outfit genre-wise, but the tequila of variety enhanced by the noteworthy stellar symphonic elements makes for a very unique outfit.
Certainly recommended to someone who can enjoy the most standard of metal, but is open to eclectic experimentation. Hevein have managed to blend a number of styles into something they can call their own. Perhaps death vocals may have been more suited to what's being performed though.
6.5/10
UM's Review Rating Scale
Official Hevein Website
Official Candlelight Records Website
Candlelight USA records - 2006
By Adam McAuley
What we're presented with here is an album whose categorization is difficult to pin down because it shares similarities to bands within the melo-death genre, but also has some strands of hardcore and a very strong symphonic or synthesized element. Altogether the combination of styles makes it a fairly interesting listen and a sort of swirly orchestration overwhelms you as you get wrapped up within its layers.
However, the element holding the album back in my opinion is a very cheesy vocal style lending itself to metalcore, though the band themselves don't necessarily fall within that genre. The vocals are somewhat annoying, but the excellent Dark Tranquillity-like soundscapes more than make up for this detriment. Orchestration is flawlessly blended into each song and heightens the tension immensely. See the track “Worth Fighting For” for an excellent example of this aspect. Again, they're a very ambiguous outfit genre-wise, but the tequila of variety enhanced by the noteworthy stellar symphonic elements makes for a very unique outfit.
Certainly recommended to someone who can enjoy the most standard of metal, but is open to eclectic experimentation. Hevein have managed to blend a number of styles into something they can call their own. Perhaps death vocals may have been more suited to what's being performed though.
6.5/10
UM's Review Rating Scale
Official Hevein Website
Official Candlelight Records Website
