Shortly after attending Keep It True Rising 2024, I found myself craving some fresh metal - bands I hadn't heard before. I scoured YouTube, browsed through internet forums and dove deep into the recommended tab of my Oldschool Underground Mixtape on Spotify. After what felt like ages, I finally stumbled upon something new: Hellmidian, a heavy/speed metal band from Oaxaca, Mexico.
I've been keeping an eye on the mexican metal scene for a while now - it's bigger than most people realize. Even though Hellmidian has been around since 2012, they haven't dropped a full album yet. The first track I listened to was "Raider" - and man, the intro hit like a sledgehammer. I was hooked immediately. It's fast-paced, with riffing straight out of Skull Fist's Head Öf the Pack, the energy of the first two Riot City albums and vocals that sound like a mix of Enforcers "Mesmerized by Fire" and Thrillers "Iron Goddess". From that moment, I knew I'd discovered a raw, underground gem lurking in the crypts of heavy metal.
After "Raider", I jumped straight into their 2017 EP, "Rising Up" - it didn't disappoint. You can hear the 7-year gap in the evolution of their sound, but it's still a solid EP. They deliver mid-temp, catchy tracks like "(You) Kill the Fire", alongside faster bangers like "Savage", which is in the same vein as "Raider".
Curious, I checked their Metal Archives page, thinking this had to be a side project from members of bigger bands. But, suprisingly, it wasn't. Metal Archives, usually spot-on, didn't list any connections. After some more digging, I found an interview from 2023 where they mentioned working towards an album - and I'm really hoping that happens soon.
Hellmidian embodies the spirit of the new wave of heavy and speed metal, keeping that old-school vibe alive while bringing in some modern touches. Don't get me wrong - they're no Randy or Virtue (at least not yet) - but they've got potential! There's still room to grow, but that's part of the excitement. Finding these underrated gems and sharing them with others is why I love what I do.
