Mehida
Mehida hails from Finland offering up some Progressive Metal for the Heavy Metal realm. Mehida formed in 2007 when Keyboardist Mikko Härkin( Kenziner,Sonata Artica,Wingdom, Divinefire) left his band Wingdom which he had helped start. Mikko left with the vision of starting a new band that he could produce the sound and ideas he had had for years. When Mikko decided to leave Wingdom drummer Markus Niemispelto left Wingdom as well in order to help with the percussion parts of the new band. Mikko joined forces with Vocalist Thomas Vikstrom(7 Days,Talk of the Town, Stormwind, Candlemass) who was busy at the time releasing his '7 Days' debut album called 'The Weight Of The World'. Guitarist Jani Stefanovic(Essence Of Sorrow,Divinefire), and Bassist Jarno Raitio, both joined as well in order to round out this all-star band.
In 2007, Mehida released their debut album called 'blood & water'. The musical styles are a mix that ranges from Metal to Adult Contemporary to Thrash to Progressive and even to Jazz. No Mehida doesn't want to be pigeonholed into one type genre as the band is very versatile. Blood & Water is an accessible album even after one listen one can appreciate the intricacies present which are different in each tune.
Vocalist Thomas Vikstrom does a good job on this release showing us the capabilities of his vocal registers. He takes the listener on a progressive journey of various deliveries including a jazzy contemporary mid-range vocal to an upper range that sounds cool along with a high-end upper range sung with a falsetto delivery that suits Thomas well.
Guitarist Jani Stefanovic does a nice job shredding here, going from near Power Metal territory to Thrash riffage to driving riffs which all help make this a great release.
Mikko Harkin is a very good Progressive style Keyboardist who knows how to produce mood in a song adding just the right touch of atmosphere without overpowering the guitars.
Drums really stand out on this release being performed by none other than Markus Niemispelto who sets the tempo well. He is found playing some Thrash like beats at times and also some Jazz like beats at other times along with everything in between.
Lyrics are Christ centered as seen here:
Vocalist Thomas Vikstrom does a good job on this release showing us the capabilities of his vocal registers. He takes the listener on a progressive journey of various deliveries including a jazzy contemporary mid-range vocal to an upper range that sounds cool along with a high-end upper range sung with a falsetto delivery that suits Thomas well.
Guitarist Jani Stefanovic does a nice job shredding here, going from near Power Metal territory to Thrash riffage to driving riffs which all help make this a great release.
Mikko Harkin is a very good Progressive style Keyboardist who knows how to produce mood in a song adding just the right touch of atmosphere without overpowering the guitars.
Drums really stand out on this release being performed by none other than Markus Niemispelto who sets the tempo well. He is found playing some Thrash like beats at times and also some Jazz like beats at other times along with everything in between.
Lyrics are Christ centered as seen here:
"Grace"
Here, look at me
From your cross
I'm not worth a penny
I'm the biggest loser of all
I'm guilty under suffering sun
Shining above me slowly killing me
I only deserve to die
But please remember me in your kingdom
As a man
Condemned to die
Idesperately turned out to you
Then I heard the words of grace and truth
Piercing through my soul
Today you'll be with me in the Paradise
From now on you're mine
And I'll never let you go
It took some time
To walk my way
Got no reason to be proud of
The things I did and said
I was guilty under suffering sun
Shining above me slowly killing me...
[Lk. 23]
Here, look at me
From your cross
I'm not worth a penny
I'm the biggest loser of all
I'm guilty under suffering sun
Shining above me slowly killing me
I only deserve to die
But please remember me in your kingdom
As a man
Condemned to die
Idesperately turned out to you
Then I heard the words of grace and truth
Piercing through my soul
Today you'll be with me in the Paradise
From now on you're mine
And I'll never let you go
It took some time
To walk my way
Got no reason to be proud of
The things I did and said
I was guilty under suffering sun
Shining above me slowly killing me...
[Lk. 23]
In 2009, Mehida released their sophomore release called 'The Eminent Storm'. This album stays true to the Ideas and sounds of Keyboardist/founder Mikko Härkin, however with this second release, we find the band playing in a slightly more progressive direction. A lot of the tunes will start off in a lighter more contemporary manner and build as the song moves along finally climaxing towards the end into Heavy Metal territory.
Vocalist Thomas Vilstrom is best described as a man of many vocal deliveries which really works well with the many changes that happen in this Progressive Metal. His mid-range deliveries have more of an Adult Contemporary delivery. However, he quickly lets you know that he's not an elevator Vocalist as the songs progress and he is found reaching some high pitched Metal screams.
Jani Stefanovic handles guitars and does a good job going from Rock style riffs, to Thrash riffs, to driving riffs that help the song move alone with energy.
Keyboardist Mikko Harkin, with his expertise, does a good job on the Keys offering up plenty of atmospheric touches not ever over doing or being "heavy handed" on his instrument. We find some of these atmospheric touches in the tune " A Block Of Wood" where the keyboard adds some unsettledness to the tune which is appropriate due to the subject matter. Some of the touches that he adds througout the album, come across as Symphonic in nature. Mikko really helps with the progressive sound of the band and helps to give the music a more fuller sound. Some of the tracks have some piano parts that sound like techniques used in Jazz style music which give the music a lighter sound and feel.
Markus Niemispelto does a great job keeping time and Bassist Jarno Raitio does a good job making sure that the music has a full sound.
Vocalist Thomas Vilstrom is best described as a man of many vocal deliveries which really works well with the many changes that happen in this Progressive Metal. His mid-range deliveries have more of an Adult Contemporary delivery. However, he quickly lets you know that he's not an elevator Vocalist as the songs progress and he is found reaching some high pitched Metal screams.
Jani Stefanovic handles guitars and does a good job going from Rock style riffs, to Thrash riffs, to driving riffs that help the song move alone with energy.
Keyboardist Mikko Harkin, with his expertise, does a good job on the Keys offering up plenty of atmospheric touches not ever over doing or being "heavy handed" on his instrument. We find some of these atmospheric touches in the tune " A Block Of Wood" where the keyboard adds some unsettledness to the tune which is appropriate due to the subject matter. Some of the touches that he adds througout the album, come across as Symphonic in nature. Mikko really helps with the progressive sound of the band and helps to give the music a more fuller sound. Some of the tracks have some piano parts that sound like techniques used in Jazz style music which give the music a lighter sound and feel.
Markus Niemispelto does a great job keeping time and Bassist Jarno Raitio does a good job making sure that the music has a full sound.
There are a few places where Mehida uses some vocal distortion to make the vocalist sound more computerized or robot like. One thing that is my pet peeve is the use of the Auto-Tune. In my opinion, it has no place in Metal music and is out of date and should only be used in Pop Music if at all. Distortion should only be used on guitars so lets let this Auto-Tune distortion effect fade into the past please.
Lyrics are Christ centered as one can see here:
Lyrics are Christ centered as one can see here:
"A Block Of Wood"
The carpenter draws a line
Makes an outline with a marker
Shapes the wood in the form of a man
That it may dwell in a shrine
He is relying on ashes
A deceived heart has lead him astray
So that now he won't save himself
Just won't say "This thing in my hand is a fraud"
It's man's fuel for burning
Will you ever be learning
It's man's fuel for burning
All Idols makers bow to nothing
Their precious production profits no one
And the witnesses to their own shame
Neither see nor understand
He is relying on ashes
A deceived heart has lead him astray
So that now he won't save himself
Just won't say "this thing in my hand is a fraud"
It's man's fuel for burning
Will you ever be learning
It's man's fuel for burning
The carpenter draws a line
Makes an outline with a marker
Shapes the wood in the form of a man
That it may dwell in a shrine
He is relying on ashes
A deceived heart has lead him astray
So that now he won't save himself
Just won't say "This thing in my hand is a fraud"
It's man's fuel for burning
Will you ever be learning
It's man's fuel for burning
All Idols makers bow to nothing
Their precious production profits no one
And the witnesses to their own shame
Neither see nor understand
He is relying on ashes
A deceived heart has lead him astray
So that now he won't save himself
Just won't say "this thing in my hand is a fraud"
It's man's fuel for burning
Will you ever be learning
It's man's fuel for burning
If you love Progressive Metal then your in for a treat here with Mehida so do yourself a favor and give this band a listen.
Musicians for 'Blood & Water':
Thomas Vikstrom–Lead Vocals
Jani Stefanovic–Guitars
Mikko Harkin–Keyboards
Jarno Raitio–Bass
Markus Niemispelto–Drums
Musicians for 'Eminent Storm':
Musicians
Thomas Vikstrom–Lead Vocals
Jani Stefanovic–Guitars
Olli Tanttu–Guitars
Mikko Harkin–Keyboards
Toni Maki-Leppilampi–Bass
Markus Niemispelto–Drums
Thomas Vikstrom–Lead Vocals
Jani Stefanovic–Guitars
Mikko Harkin–Keyboards
Jarno Raitio–Bass
Markus Niemispelto–Drums
Musicians for 'Eminent Storm':
Musicians
Thomas Vikstrom–Lead Vocals
Jani Stefanovic–Guitars
Olli Tanttu–Guitars
Mikko Harkin–Keyboards
Toni Maki-Leppilampi–Bass
Markus Niemispelto–Drums