We at MetalTalk are always excited when British prog Metallers HeKz announce a brand new album drop. Many of us prog Metal fans first came across HeKz at the Chiswick Invasion, a yearly event set up by Thomas Gers to raise money for the Nordoff Robbins charity. This set of gigs held in a school hall in London, W4, were endorsed by Iron Maiden and their management team. Us music journo’s were absolutely blown away by the debut of this talented band.
HeKz – Qisma
Release Date: 3 April 2026
Words: Sara Harding
Fronted by the very talented singer/bassist Matt Young, HeKz were as polished as any seasoned old school prog band, and we were all very excited about the future of Matt Young et al.
Fast forward to the now, where HeKz are flying the prog Metal flag with Qisma, their fifth studio album, and it certainly delivers.
From the eerie aural masterpiece that kicks off the album, The Gates of Kybagrad prepares you for the journey ahead, worthy of a cinematic soundtrack. Lucas, Bigelow, Spielberg or the director of Sinners, can you hear me?
Qisma is the title track, which powers into a fast slice of prog with violins, guitars, keys and vocals all clashing into a euphoric sound, stating the future is here.
Visionary bandleader and multi-instrumentalist Matt Young has created what he calls his “boldest artistic statement to date”, in an album designed to captivate prog devotees and welcome newcomers alike into HeKz’s richly textured sonic landscape. Qisma is an evocative Arabic word meaning fate, destiny or divine will.
The Future Is Here is the first single from this Magnus Opus and is the “perfect introduction to Qisma,” says Young. “It sums up exactly what HeKz is about. Music and lyrics working together to tell a story, with no boundaries on where that story can go.”
True that, Matt. This song has everything. The violin is such an instrument to take us to another level with piping keys, hints of global music sounds from almost speakeasy Louisiana vibes to sleazy blues to choral notes to West End anthems and everything in between. Truly epic.
“Qisma takes everything fans love about HeKz,” Matt continues, “soaring melodies, compelling storytelling, theatrical grandeur and amplifies it beyond recognition. We’re exploring exciting new sounds and textures that even surprised us in the studio.”
Defiance shows off Young’s vocal pipes and storytelling. I could literally listen to his voice all night. You can hear the magnificence of legendary John Mitchell throughout.
Captured is off the scale with crescendos that build and build, then the wonders of the violin chime in. This is truly an adventure in music and catchy as can be. I will never forget first listening to this song – a pinch me moment.
I’m loving the AI soundbites at the end of each track, too, which punctuate each song to perfection.
Venom kicks off with a violin intro like no other, with notes of mysticalness, fast-paced guitars join in, and are joined by the badass backline of HeKz and the soaring chords of Young’s vocals.
And then it is time for the biggie, the super long and super indulgent The Great Out There, which is prog luxury. Bliss. Soooooo long, I had to create extra download space on my laptop.
Now onto Disc 2 and The Road Home and another nod to East meets West choon. This is a masterpiece of what a song should be. I want to listen to it over and over again, very, very loud, and sing along at the top of my voice with some ‘air’ violin too. Sorry neighbours.
Break the Spell crashes in with my favourite keys/choral/axe mash-up. Deep and dark. Then onto Overlord. HeKz are truly spoiling us with another 21 minuter. From classical to Metal in one riff, then onto a multi-layered, all-prog guns blazing production.
Virtual Utopia should be reclassified as Aural Utopia as we carry on the magic musical carpet trip of Qisma.
As we conclude this mammoth journey, so vast that I feel like I needed my passport, A Leap Of Faith is the ultimate way to end. A joyous and upbeat ending to what has been a trip. I feel like I need a 39p energy drink after this.
Buy, download, Stream, blag, borrow or go to a live show to hear this majestic new drop from the best of British bands. We all need HeKz in our lives.
Matt Young concludes with palpable pride. “This album is a celebration of the power of doing things your own way. There’s simply no chance we could have made an album like this as part of someone else’s system.
“We’ve made Qisma on our own terms, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with the world. Long may independent music thrive.”
Presented as a double album, Qisma features guest contributions from prog rock royalty.
- Adam Holzman (Steven Wilson, Trifecta, Jane Getter) – keyboards
- Mark Bogert (Knight Area, Magoria) – guitar
- Moyano el Buffalo (King Lizard, Diamond Black) – percussion
- John Mitchell (Frost*, Asia, Lonely Robot, Arena) – vocals, co-production, mixing and mastering
Qisma releases on 3 April 2026 and will be available on CD, Vinyl and via streaming services. Pre-orders are available from www.hekztheband.com.
HeKz are:
Matt Young – Vocals, Bass, Keyboards, Rhythm Guitar, 12 String Guitar
Tolis Zavaliaris – Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Fretless Guitar
Lucia La Rezza – Violin, Cello, Double Bass
Jerry Sadowski – Drums
Guest Appearances:
Adam Holzman – Keyboards, Moog
John Mitchell – Vocals
Mark Bogert – Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Acoustic Guitar
Moyano el Buffalo – Percussion
Stella D Angelo – Choir
Duncan Greenway – Choir
Produced by Matt Young and John Mitchell
Mix and mastered by John Mitchell
Music, lyrics, sound design and story by Matt Young
Artwork by Cameron Gray
