In terms of Metal, the East region of Europe is always revealing very good new names, because it seems to your Ol' Big Daddy here that the Iron Curtain times made something there. The bands from that region dislike models of how to make their music, preferring always to try something new, new formulas, mixing influences and creating. And a fine example is the Polish quartet HEGEMONE. They are doing an excellent work on their first album, "Luminosity".

They use a mix between Black Metal influences with some Stoner/Sludge Metal influences, and this result in an experimental form of heavy music, something slow, bitter and dirty, but with some kind and more melodic moments appearing here and there, pulsing with life and personality. And the use of some electronic effects, keyboards and saxophone gives a new and blow of fresh wind to their work. The vocals are harsh, the guitars show heavy and darkened riffs along with some more melancholic touches, the rhythmic basis is doing a very good work, and the keyboards are an important part of their music's soul.

The sound quality is raw, but it's not to the point of turning their music into a confused sound mass. Sometimes, seems to me that their music can exist and be better into this form.

HEGEMONE prefers long songs to express their work, and this also gives them a new focus. But don't be disturbed: the songs do not make us sleep where we are, but keep us attached to them.

All their six songs are excellent, but the best ones are the dirty and more atmospheric "The Hunt Within", with its slower tempos and good guitars work, along with saxophone and electronic effects, and the long and well worked "XXXIX", where all their musical work appears in its best. But have in mind: the other four songs are good as well.

An excellent work, and a very good revelation in terms of Metal.