Hekz: Mayday

Mayday is the first released single from the upcoming fourth studio and double concept album Terra Nova by UK’s progressive metal act Hekz. The latest version of the band includes lead singer, bassist and main composer Matt Young, Mark Bogert (Knight Area / Magoria) on guitars, Moyano el Buffalo on drums, Pieter Beemsterboer on keyboards, and special guest appearance by Adam Holzman (Steven Wilson / Miles Davis) also on keyboards.

The best way I can explain the band’s sound is solely based on my experience with the only album I’ve heard from them which is 2018’s Invicta, their third studio output, and to my ears it is a mix of Shadow Gallery, Uriah Heep, Boston, Styx, and Arena. For “Mayday� the heavy rock and metal references of Heep’s sound are still all over the place, as is the bombast progressive metal blueprint of bands like the aforementioned SG, however the immediate hooks of the Boston-Styx influences are nowhere to be found, nor is the dramatic theatrical atmosphere so reminiscence of acts like Arena, this time around the catchiness relies more on the heavy riffing, the pseudo-growl nuances on vocals, and the formidable keyboard work by both Beemsterboer and Holzman. The song is super groovy, as expected by a bassist song crafter, the guitar work is tremendous as well, and very intricate when dealing with the mayhem created by the keys. Young is a great vocalist and he got himself surrounded by world-class musicians, all of them capable of elevating his musical designs. Really looking forward to what Terra Nova will bring… until then… cheers.

Track list:
1) Mayday (5:18)

Added: March 21st 2023
Reviewer: Jose Antonio Marmol
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 1218
Language: english

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