Mehida - Blood&Water
78%
Mehida hails from thé European area of metal; Scandinavia. Finland to be more precise. And although most of you may have never heard of the band before (neither had I), the band comprises (ex-)members of several bands that established their names in the bigger metal scenes, varying from Kotipelto to Sonata Arctica to Candlemass. Quite some experience is present one may conclude.
What we have here is a very surprising album that may need a couple of spins to get into. A very strong progressive approach is used as one of the main fundamental elements of the songs, providing the listener with complex rhythms. On the other hand we have the melodic approach, mainly created by the vocal department. Mixed together, you get a very nice combination of (dark) rhythmic outbursts and strong, gentile and melodic passages. The latter sometimes heading over to the ballad-like direction.
To me the album is quite a unique experience. Lately I am starting to like progressive metal more and more but never before I had heard it in combination with melodic/power metal. At first it scared me off a little, but listening without the prejudice of power metal being gay is definitely needed. Also the simplistic beauty of the melodies make the overall result more accessible.
Sometimes some weird noises are added on the disc which I don’t really understand. Like some people are on a birthday party babbling with each other before the actual songs starts. Which is the case in the song ‘Multitude’, a great song by the way since the beginning kicks in really heavy. Almost hardcore-like. But the babbling thing…why?! Small minor though.
Well, if you’re into progressive metal you should consider to check this band out. I know the melodic elements can be a bit of a barrier but please try to be as open-minded as possible and you may very well hear the overwhelming strength of Mehida. I think the band has done a great job and I think we’ll get to hear more of them in the future.
