Detailed Reviews [Heronimus Fin - 2024 - "And Soon the Darkness"]

Prolusion. UK band Heronimus Fin have been around in one form or another for 30 years and a bit at this point, and are generally considered as being a psychedelic rock as well as a progressive rock band. In the two distinct phases of the band's existence they have released 5 studio albums, of which three have appeared in the last decade. The album "And Soon the Darkness" is the most recent of these, and was released through their own label Garden Records in the late fall of 2024.

Analysis. Heronimus Fin isn't one of those bands that will have an automatic appeal among those who fancy progressive rock of the more challenging kind. At least not on this latest album of theirs. The songs are generally accessible in nature, where the main progressive aspects lies in song structure, certain arrangement choices and some instrument details. This is an album revolving around songs and the creation of compelling and interesting moods and melodies rather than quirky features, challenging escapades and intricate song development. In many ways I would describe this as an album with the heart and soul residing in the 1970s sometime, and then among the slightly more expressive hard rock category of bands from that era first and foremost. The album kicks off with a song that initially revolve around a sharp, dark and catchy classic era hard rock riff, which is a feature that is a recurring one throughout this album. In this initial song with a midsection phase that adds a contrast to this initial and then following phase. And the use of such contrasting features at some level or other is also a bit of a mainstay on this album. We do get more expressive landscapes to enjoy here too, with the more dreamladen and distinctly psychedelic 'The Gentrification Of Charlie Blint & The Great Unwashed (Self Control)' a prime example of that, but we also get songs that are more approachable and easygoing in their excursions. Cue the concluding 'Chelsea High (Hope)'. The recurring elements throughout are certain some elements from the progressive rock tradition, as detailed, alongside something of a mainstay psychedelic element of some kind or other and a recurring use of classic era hard rock elements in general and guitar details in particular.

Conclusion. With some songs having a bit more to say there than others, the main comparison I can make for the landscapes explored on this album, as well as the general mood and atmosphere, is towards another band that tends to get a lot of interest among fans of progressive rock. That band being the legendary Blue Öyster Cult, and then referencing their albums from the 1970s in particular. While there are some rather obvious differences too, I would suspect that many fans of BOC should find this album to be quite the satisfying and rewarding experience nonetheless.

Progmessor: December 2024
The Rating Room