HEVEIN - Sound Over Matter

HEVEIN
Sound Over Matter
Candlelight USA
9/10




This Finnish sextet embraces melody while refusing to skimp on power, a combination resulting in a great listen on the highly original, instantly enjoyable “Sound Over Matter.” Had Fear Factory been more melodically diverse, they likely would have sounded much like Hevein. A forte of this outfit is melding wall-of-sound guitars with big vocal hooks, augmented by the cello playing of former Apocalyptica member Max Lilja. There’s plenty of examples of extremely catchy material to be found here. “Break Out The Hammers” makes for a great calling card for the group, while on the edgy, slowly-building “iOta”, vocalist Juha Immonen really shows a lot of diversity as a singer and belts out a tuneful but power-filled hook during the track’s chorus like a true pro.

Many bands strive to mash aggressiveness with melody and few are as successful as Hevein. Darkness fills the sorrowed presence of “As Far As The Eye Can See,” a song that could easily gain its share of airplay. The swelling stringwork of Lilja makes for a great accent on this monstrous modern rock foray. Why this track is not plastered on every radio station up and down the dial by now is anyone’s guess. It far outdistances the mellower efforts of ninety percent of metal bands that gain widespread exposure these days. Love that solo.

As “Bleed The Day” offers an agro-metal strike and “Hold Fast” explores “Master Of Puppets” riffery, the band’s more forceful nature takes hold, but melody is never forsaken whatsoever. In fact, each facet of this group’s multi-facted presence impresses as perfectly in place and in strong contrast in terms of accessibility than what we’re used to from the Candlelight camp. Glistening production with plenty of muscle tops the whole affair off.

For those who find Mnemic to be a tad too tech-oriented or Fear Factory to be a bit too deathly, this record will have a lasting impression. Can a group be overpoweringly aggressive and still embolden their music with strong, ear-grabbing melodies? “Sound Over Matter” says emphatically, yes. There’s no question, this group must be considered as one of metal’s brightest hopes.


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