Hevein (band)

Hevein

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1992
Founder	Leif Hedstrom, Alpo Oksaharju
Defunct	2012
Headquarters	Helsinki , Finland
Products	Music albums, singles, EPs
Website	hevein.bandcamp.com

Hevein was a thrash metal group from Helsinki, Finland, that integrated elements of symphonic metal and neo-classical metal into their sound.

History

The band Hevein was formed in 1992 when guitarist Leif Hedstrom teamed up with drummer Alpo Oksaharju. By 1998, bassist Tomi Koivunen and violinist Aino Piipari became part of the ensemble. In 2002, former Apocalyptica cellist Max Lilja joined the group, and vocalist Juha Immonen completed the lineup in 2003, officially launching the band.

Debut album Sound Over Matter

Hevein secured a contract with Finnish independent label Spinefarm Records in 2005 and released their first album, Sound Over Matter. The record was distributed internationally through Universal Records and Candlelight Records in the United States.

Their touring activities were confined to selected performances across Finland, Russia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and the Czech Republic. They issued two singles alongside a self-produced music video, with the album garnering predominantly favorable reviews from critics.

Unreleased album Gentle Anarchy

After their initial release, Hevein began composing tracks for a sophomore album titled Gentle Anarchy. Between 2006 and 2008, they created numerous demo recordings that did not meet their label’s expectations. Upon parting ways with Spinefarm Records in 2008, the band independently worked on over 40 compositions but failed to attract new label interest.

To finance production efforts, Hevein self-funded the recording of four songs, which were digitally released on Bandcamp on 8 January 2012. Proceeds from these sales enabled them to record drum tracks for five additional pieces. Nevertheless, diminishing support on Bandcamp amid the worldwide economic downturn and industry difficulties led to their dissolution in September 2012 before the album could be finalized.

Name

Guitarist Leif Hedstrom explained that "Hevein" originated from Blackstar’s rendition of Hüsker Dü’s "The Girl Who Lives on Heaven Hill," initially modified from "Heaven Hill" to "Heven Hill," eventually evolving into "Hevein." The name also references the Finnish term meaning "the heaviest," underscoring the band's heavy metal heritage.

Members

• Juha Immonen – vocals
• Leif Hedstrom – guitar, vocals
• Janne Jaakkola – bass
• Toni Paananen – drums
• Aino Piipari – violin
• Max Lilja – cello

Former members

• Dimitri Paile – vocals
• Tomi Koivunen – bass
• Alpo Oksaharju – drums
• Otto Uotila – drums

Studio albums

• Sound Over Matter (2005)

Singles, EPs and digital releases

• iOta (2005)
• As Far As The Eye Can See (2005)
• Gentle Anarchy EP (digital release; 2010)

Demos

• Heartland (1999)
• Reverence (2001)
• Only Human (2002)
• Fear Is... Only Human (2003)
• Break Out The Hammers EP (2004)

Covers

• Pantera's "Walk" (included on the "As Far As the Eye Can See" single)
• Anathema's "Empty" (performed live)
• Pantera's "Use My Third Arm" (performed live at Metal Barbecue and Dimebag Darrell memorial events)
• At the Gates' "Cold"

Music videos

• "Last Drop of Innocence" (2005)
• "New Hope" (2010)
• "Nor" (2011)

External links

• http://hevein.bandcamp.com/