HERCYN - Magda

It's been pretty shit weather here in Portland lately, typical for spring. Somehow, despite the weather being so dark and gloomy, the city is beautiful and there is something uplifting about that. Pretty much a perfect analogy for the music of NJ based Hercyn.

Magda, their 24 minute long debut recording, is definitely ambitious. A lot of bands this new would not have the skill or the balls to pull off writing this type of epic. Sharing similarities to, but not mimicking, bands like Agalloch, Petrychor, Fen and Gallowbraid, Hercyn play epic (in scope), well arranged blackish metal that manages to avoid the cliches of that style of music so often falls into. The melodies are beautiful and cohesive, soaring and flowing from section to section seamlessly, definitely adding to the atmosphere that starts with some soft ambiance and acoustic guitar strumming. The only thing I found slightly off about Magda is that the drum machine gets sort of obvious at times, but is well programmed and sounds organic most of the time. Plus, apparently Hercyn have a human drummer these days. I would love to hear this recorded with their current full lineup, which I feel would definitely bring the quality of the songwriting out even more.

As good as this is, I hear a lot of potential here for an even better follow up album with their new lineup. It is especially impressive that despite the single track being 24 minutes long, it does not feel that way at all and definitely left me wanting more. I look forward to hearing more from Hercyn in the future.
- Tony Howard