HeKz - Terra Nova
(BMH Audio - 2024)
(Style: Progressive Rock)
The story of how HeKz evolved from a schoolboy group who could barely play, to the multi-talented, international one that recorded this is remarkable. Their beginnings were in Bedfordshire, where the name The Dropouts was chosen.
Iron Maiden and metal was an influence as was that of Green Day, but a more defined sound was required to meet group founder Matt Young aspirations. Plenty of practice ensued, quite a few members would come and go before a change of name to briefly Hex, then to as we know them now, HeKz. Anyone wishing to search for the band through google and the like would have difficulty, such is the way the name is spelt, perhaps one could even feel vexed in doing so.
Maybe there is something in the Bedfordshire water that makes groups chose difficult names, TesseracT for example. Maybe it is not the water, maybe it is simply the fact that creating a challenging, all-consuming progressive record involves a certain amount of grandiose pomposity.
Throughout the noughties HeKz were evolving, making EP’s before releasing their debut album in 2012, titled 'Tabula Rasa', touring had seen them play at Bloodstock along side Twisted Sister: not an ideal pairing I would think.
After spending 3 weeks in the exotic Reading Travelodge for 2014’s for the follow up 'Caerus', HeKz were still more metal than prog, their sound still expanding and the line – up still changing. Caerus was another confusing title that no one could pronounce or spell, signifying more difficulties in your internet search! Caerus is the Greek God of fortune and opportunity, not that you could know that unless you had a hi intelligence quotient.
In 2018 the third album hit the shelves, a year late! During the making of it Deep Purple’s 'Burn' was used as a vehicle for the group to practice with, it was felt the keyboards and song structure would be a good test to see how the musicianship had improved.
'Invicta' would be seen by many as a step forward, it was both a triumph and a swan song as the band were about to undergo a major shift in personnel. The band was broken up entirely leaving founder and main man Matt Young in the unenviable position of reforming and recruiting a cast of musicians that would create the new album, Terra Nova, that I am now reviewing for Frontiers.
First of all, the length could prove something of a hurdle for most metal fans, it is a double Cd and is over 100 minutes long. You could also say that you might need a High I.Q to understand the complexities that abound throughout this conceptual masterpiece. It is without doubt riveting with so many musical facets on display, Queensryche, spring to mind, as do Dream Theatre, I have to mention IQ here as well as I have hinted at their influence on a couple of occasions.
Quite simply it is an extraordinary musical achievement and I can only assume Matt Young has equalled the wildest dreams that he could ever have dreamt way back in the days of The Drop Outs, or when he was going to mean streets of the Bronx, Los Angeles or Chicago, sorry I meant Barton Le Clay!
Terra Nova is nearly 21 years in the making, with a multitude of musicians passing through the ranks, surely now with a band comprising international musicians HeKz are set to become global stars.
When you listen to this may I suggest that you face no interruptions for in excess of three hours, the complexities are spellbinding and when the final track, Terra Nova 2 subsides, you will simply remove the disc and start the whole thing again! Outstanding and bewildering.
When you listen to this may I suggest that you face no interruptions for in excess of three hours, the complexities are spellbinding and when the final track, Terra Nova 2 subsides, you will simply remove the disc and start the whole thing again! Outstanding and bewildering.
I have to add that prior to being sent this album I was unaware of HeKz, so special thanks to Sue Williams of Frontier Promotions for sending it to me. It is an album that has eclipsed my wildest expectations and is the reason I do my job. I can’t pick one track, it needs to be heard in its entirety however, Violinist, Irina Markevitch adds so much depth with her classical virtuoso performance.
That is not to say that the rest of the group don’t. Moyano el Buffalo (Drums) Mark Bogert (Guitarist) and the incomparable Matt Young (Vocals/Keyboards/Bass) add their unique talents to a group aided by a plethora of additional players. I said I couldn’t pick one song but the Bowie sounding ‘The Tower’ is hauntingly beautiful and dramatic as changes from lightness of touch to the macabre.
By Paul Mace