You can glean a lot from listening to The Gates of Kybagrad, the two minute instrumental introductory track on Qisma. It’s widescreen cinematic style hints at a concept album, and you just know some prog metal power chords and riffage are moments away from being unleashed. Yes, Matt Young and his band HeKz are back with what is probably their magnum opus. It’s the album they’ve been hinting at, or threatening us with depending on your point of view, for some time, and now it’s here.
If the word ‘concept’ hasn’t sent you scurrying behind the sofa, you just might really enjoy Qisma. The concept isn’t anything terribly original, and centres around a dystopian city run by a seemingly benevolent dictator who uses Mindstream to control his subjects. The world outside is out of bounds, and there are hints of Logan’s Run in the storyline, but it’s all quite enjoyable, even gripping in places. Qisma is our heroine fighting to escape and make sense of her life, and The Overlord isn’t having any of it. You get the picture. Musically, despite sitting firmly in the prog metal camp, there’s something that sets HeKz apart from the many other bands of the genre. One aspect is their use of violin played by Lucia La Rezza. Many prog bands that use the instrument have a slightly folk leaning side enhanced by violin, but HeKz use it both for symphonic and melodic heft, and also as a lead instrument sparring with the guitar (Tolis Zavaliaris), where it is particularly effective and rather exciting. Both Lucia and Tolis are all over this album, and they create some magical moments.
I’m avoiding running through the story track by track, which would be tedious unless you are listening to the whole thing, but there are highlights worth mentioning. Qisma introduces the album proper, and is a fast and heavy awakening, with powerhouse drumming from Jerry Sadowski and furious bass from Matt Young, and insistent riffing from Zavaliaris. The Future Is Here follows at a more stately pace, and hints at Muse influences, with Young in his more melodramatic vocal style, but it’s a memorable and melodic song.
Venom has an Eastern sounding feel, underlined by the atmospheric violin flourishes. The drama of the unfolding story ramps up the tension as the interplay between violin and guitar takes the track to another level. The overall effect reminds me of Mindcrime-era Queensrÿche for some reason, which is no bad thing.
The first major epic of this sprawling double album is the near 20 minute The Great Out There, where Qisma eventually finds herself in the world outside Kybagrad. Again it is huge in scope, divided into several parts which all slide into each other seamlessly, but with frequent changes in pace and structure. It’s a bit like Ayreon in places, at their sci-fi storytelling best. There’s plenty of metallic crunch, but nuance and melody are ever present, and the musicianship and attention to detail are spot on.
The other notable epic piece is The Overlord, where John Mitchell (yes, him again!), makes an appearance in the title role on vocals. It’s another 20+ minute tour de force, with different sections unfolding as the story develops. Mitchell is totally convincing as the misunderstood mastermind, and one almost ends up feeling sorry for the evil genius! The album ends with A Leap Of Faith, which is a classy climax to an epic saga, with wonderfully rhapsodic violin elevating the piece, as it has done at several key points on the album.
So overall, yes the idea is hardly anything new, but Matt Young and HeKz have somehow managed to create a new slant on a trusted format, and it works. They have succeeded where Dream Theater failed. With The Astonishing, it was overblown, too complex, with too many characters, and not enough room for the actual music to breathe. HeKz have avoided that trap. There is much to enjoy as the concept reveals itself, it’s fairly straightforward, and the music and production are top notch. One last word of warning though – at the end of Qisma, her fate is not revealed. You know what that means, right? Oh yes, it’s left wide open for a sequel!
TRACK LISTING
01. The Gates of Kybagrad (2:01)
02. Qisma (3:55)
03. The Future Is Here (6:22)
04. Defiance (4:31)
05. Captured (4:09)
06. Venom (6:43)
07. The Great Out There (23:54)
08. The Road Home (5:54)
09. Break The Spell (6:01)
10. Overlord (21:04)
11. Virtual Utopia (6:24)
12. A Leap of Faith (6:19)
Total Time – 97:00
MUSICIANS
Matt Young – Vocals, Bass, Keyboards, Additional Guitars, Percussion
Tolis Zavaliaris – Guitars, Choir (12)
Lucia La Rezza – Violin, Cello, Double Bass, Choir (12)
Jerry Sadowski – Drums
~ With:
John Mitchell – Voice (The Overlord)
Mark Bogert – Guitars (7)
Moyano el Buffalo – Percussion (8)
Adam Holzman – Keyboards, Moog Solo (11)
Stella D Angelo – Choir (12)
Duncan Greenway – Choir (12)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 3rd April 2026
LINKS
HeKz – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | X | Instagram
