This was my first trip with Hemina, but after much discussion with previous enjoyers and evaluators, I learned that what I’m hearing on Romancing the Ether is both consistent with their catalog and a departure from previous work. Hemina still play a romantic, emotive, and passionate brand of prog metal, replete with soaring guitar solos, belted vocals filled with heart, and bursting with ballads for aching souls. It’s a sound that many fans of more extreme, direct metal struggle to resonate with, but one which I personally enjoy. However, Romancing the Ether takes a different tack expressing that proggy core, opting this time for one thirty-five minute song comprised of six chapters. Throughout these chapters, you’ll hear an assortment of sounds and styles—the syncopated prog leanings of Dream Theater and Voyager; a capella choruses reminiscent of Queen; soaring vocal lines recalling early Boston; Ihlo’s airy atmospherics; and even the rave-ready EDM throb of acts like Tipper and Infected Mushroom. It makes for a varied and unexpected journey that feels immense in scope even if it is tighter than most in duration.
Romancing the Ether succeeds most when fearlessly exploring twists of tone and texture. Establishing itself with a stomping chug and triumphant noodling before settling into a tender Kamelot moment, populated only by lead vocals and a lone piano, until everything pops in a glorious Boston-esque belt, Hemina leaves this listener in awe for the first five minutes (“Part I: Introduction” and “Part II: Strike Four”). However, once “Part II” settles into it’s chug-heavy, swinging rhythm, I find myself wandering. Seven minutes deeper and I’m desperate to find this album’s direction, as it waffles around still stuck in “Part II,” despite excellent vocal performances and righteous solos. Thankfully, Hemina move into more tender fare after “Part II” concludes, marking a turn towards their strongest material and a renewal of my interest. Somehow, “Part III: Embraced By Clouds” and “Part IV: Dissolution” feel infinitely more dynamic and engaging to these ears, while also deviating the furthest from Hemina’s core sound. The former, a twinkly lullaby combined with a bouncy jam session, airy a capella, and balladry, effectively tugs at my heartstrings before transporting me into the sky just as its name advertises. Meanwhile, the latter punches harder than even Hemina’s heaviest metallic segments. Transitioning from psychedelic atmosphere into a bone-shaking EDM rumble replete with industrial chugs and more noodly solos, “Part IV” is a ton of fun, and would be an absolute blast in a live setting with some lasers and a bunch of glow sticks.
Unfortunately, that leaves “Part V: Revelations” and “Part VI: Integration” responsible for sending the album off with a bang, and they fall short. Largely unmemorable, this segment returns to Hemina’s standard prog-metal approach without compelling songwriting or substantial hooks to maintain the immense momentum generated by the earlier dance party. Extending that EDM segment and fully integrating it into Hemina’s bouncier prog material—complete with vocal hooks and killer choruses—would’ve done wonders for the second half, as it would’ve driven the record towards an unexpected but hugely satisfying climax and resolution. Instead, Romancing the Ether concludes with a rather generic, though tightly performed, bout of jam-heavy prog that recalls the less compelling moments of “Part II.”
Still, Romancing the Ether as a whole is more interesting, better composed, and more thoughtfully written than what I’ve heard from previous work, proving that Hemina have ample room for growth and refinement yet. If they capitalize on the unique and unusual styles explored in this record’s midsection, Hemina could knock their sixth record out of the park, pulling in progressive metal stans and newcomers alike. Until then, your mileage may vary.
Rating: Mixed
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Bird’s Robe Records
Websites: hemina.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/heminamusic
Releases Worldwide: August 11th, 2023
