Henge Land in the Central Belt

Interstellar Soundwaves from wherever the fuc£ they’re from, have just swooped in & out of Edinburgh & Glasgow

EDINBURGH

Voodoo Rooms
28 / 10 /2023

Hurtling through time and space, Zpor (Matthew Whitaker, vocals and guitar) and his intergalactic crew that we humans know as HENGE, landed their spectacular show on planet earth with incredible results. Whilst travelling the galaxy, Zpor encountered many an alien species but none any better than Goo (Pete Turner, Bass Guitar & Synth Bass), Grok (Roy Medhurst, synths), and Nom (Sam Draper, Drums), whom collectively created the phenomenon that became HENGE.

Exploring the universe together for many a year they felt the need to fill their down time with the one element that all living souls cant live without, music. So, in 2015 they gave birth to a new form of musical entertainment called “Cosmic Dross” and tonight live for one night only, the Edinburgh Voodoo Rooms were transformed into a mumble jumble of earthlings and other worldly unidentified species, all itching for a good time. Creating a very unique electronic rock sound in Manchester (their home planet) they ventured out into all the distant corners of the universe to deliver their message of hope, love and togetherness, this they have managed to do in great quantities. Like a time capsule with no boundaries, HENGE have broken all traditions by concocting a never before seen act that electrifies all humans that are lucky enough to be on this journey with them.

As planets go, Earth has it all and so did HENGE. Owning the stage like a lion protecting its kill, HENGE unleashed a torrent of mind warping songs that whipped the audience up into a storm of excitement, solar dancing and applause. Dress code is unquestionable with HENGE as is their music. Its a revelation in many ways. With HENGE’S first release, an EP entitled “Cosmic Dross” in 2017, it cemented their reputation as an alternative festival favourite which took them on a trek to Glastonbury, Boomtown, Bluedot , Doune The Rabbit Hole and Shambala. Conquering the music business is not HENGE’S intention. Its all about opening up peoples ideas to a solar system of endless music that embodies the spirit of what’s inside.

Having time travelled to many a concert and gig over the years, i can truly conclude that HENGE are a one off a kind act. They deliver more than just music. Messages are a clear indication throughout their show and are the threads that hold the music together. The individual sound is memorising, if you can imagine an Arcade game with all its bleeping and pinging noises being tossed around in a tumble dryer then Henge is for you. Like a breath of fresh air to the lungs, Henge is a breath of fresh air to the music circuit. Dynamic, edgy, intoxicating, captivating, intriguing, rocky, soulful but most of all, fun, lots of fun and that’s what makes HENGE. They are a fun band that brighten up every part and place in the Universe, as well as a few Black Holes here and there. Thanks for a memorable night and education on inter stellar politics.

Raymond Speedie

GLASGOW

Stereo
27 / 10 / 23

Glasgow Stereo Venue has its door down a lane close to Central Station, a cobbled lane fit for music and the arts. The basement room itself has very high ceilings and things always feel like a party on these nights. The band I was there to see are called simply Henge and they come dressed in all kinds of out there costumes, when I say out there I mean it.

They formed back in 2015 in the Manchester area, but their very positive vibes don’t reflect the major music that has come from there instead Henge are a mix of synth and rock, or even heavy metal. So as they took to stage it was like a visual invasion of masks and makeup. The 4 piece are on a UK tour this year as they continue to grow in fans, popularity and even legend.

This year has seen the release of their 3rd Album titled ‘Alpha Test 4’ which I’m happy to say has been a self released album showcasing their now well developing sound that to be fair is unlike any other. The sound is a collaboration of druidical referenced, magic making really blending musical style into a fine art of interesting technical fusions.

The songs are deep and rich with proceedings and in revelations he famously invites his crowd with the revealing line, ‘Attention Earth. This is Henge! We have travelled to earth from the far corners of the Galaxy to bring a new kind of music to your world’ this became the shows manifesto.

Doctor Who like masks of aliens and creatures hid the songs that were space like and adventurous. Coming down hard and clean together with a fun filled quirks and a steady rhythm very much footed in a heavy metal appearing rock gig, keeping and creating generous flows. Topping these mixed sounds were the vocals, about strangeness, cultural heritage and extremely well coloured topicality with this weird effect on the mic.

This well accomplished musicianship worked great and for at least half the room, who were obviously fans, it was like a moment on another planet. All of a self confessed new way of making music of charging simplicity and complexity into very pleasant structures and alien beats. Their 2023 tour will take them to 27 venues that by the looks of this one will have a steady support to portray this new sound and give fans a good night out.

These guys are clearly highly creative ticking the great boxes of inclusion, cultural adventure with no little enthusiasm, to bring joy to music in another way. As their popularity grows they may be first of a genre.

Daniel Donnelly