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The Libertine

from The Vault: Year One by HeKz

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about

The original demo of "The Libertine" was completed on 3rd August 2012 in the bedroom of the house where I grew up.

The song came into life at 00:29am on 16th July 2012 - an otherwise unremarkable day save for the premiere of Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight Rises." Then again, that would depend on your opinion about Bat-Bale's final outing ...

"The Libertine" is the kind of melodramatic song that I really enjoy writing. It's not often that the music of HeKz cranks up the "gothic" dial but, when it does, I find that it adds a compelling dimension to the band's sound. Songs like "Don't Turn Back, " "The Left Hand of God" and "The Devil's Coin" demonstrate this quite well, I think.

The version of "The Libertine" that you hear today has undergone a fair bit of surgery. The original rhythm guitar and keyboard tracks remain, but these have been augmented with additional parts whilst the drums, bass and vocals have been replaced with new and improved performances.
There was nothing bad about the original demo tracks, but I felt that the song deserved a bit of an update. Whenever I embark on one of these projects, I hear the voice of John Mitchell ringing in my ears -

"don't forget - it's forever."

The biggest difference in the arrangement between the 2022 version and it's precursor is the addition of a Hammond organ solo in the instrumental. It was one of those happy accidents that happened whilst I was jamming along to the track, dialling in a suitable sound with my trust Ferrofish
B4000+. The short improvisation was originally just for fun, but it seemed to add an interesting moment to the song so my humble tribute to Mssrs Lord & Hensley was spared from the cutting room floor on this occasion.

It was a real joy to collaborate with Irina Markevich again, as she provides an alternative mix of the track. Everyone hears music in their own way, and it's always fascinating to hear the different choices that people will take when mixing and mastering.

Thank you for continuing to support the band and this series, we really hope that you enjoyed this dalliance with "The Libertine"!

lyrics

Another day, another conquest.
A sunken face and a tongue like ash.
You live like a king, every whim is catered for.
And yet you find yourself crying out for more

Another day, another bailout.
Responsibility is not in vogue.

You'd clean up your act if it were the fashion
But you'd sooner die as a fresh-faced rogue.

Another night, another hit.
Another vial charged with shit.

Flesh no longer braces for the bitter sting.

Living to die is a hideous thing

Don't you wish for more?

More than this life can give you,
More than a shudder in the dark.
More than a glimpse of pleasure,
More than a fickle, fleeting spark.

More than this harsh existence,
More than this selfish waste of skin,
More than a taste of honey,
More than the crippling void within.

credits

from The Vault: Year One, released February 2, 2024

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HeKz London, UK

Drawing influence in equal parts from heavy metal legends and prog rock luminaries, HeKz seek to take the original Prog Metal blue print and rewrite it for themselves.

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