HECENIA - LEGENDES - 1989

Founded by former Elohim members, brothers Jean-Paul Trutet and Daniel Trutet, along with Delphine Douillard, and keyboard maestro Thierry Brandet. This would prove to be mainly a Brandet venture, as the Trutets did not stay for the second album. Brandet is also the primary composer.

The name is taken from a mysterious community of ancient Jews, called the esséniens, who lived in the desert of Judea. Almost nothing was known about them until the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. They were dislodged by the Romans, at the time of the Jewish revolution.

As you may have guessed, Keyboards reign supreme with this group. There are the usual comparisons to Genesis, Yes, and even Marillion. The most obvious influence is Rick Wakeman, but there is more. Douillard's Harp is quite unique in the realm of rock music. Classical composers, and France itself, are in the mix, thus giving a unique flavor to Hecenia.

The first album features the vocals of Jean-Paul Trutet, and the second is entirely instumental. Both are highly regarded, and Hecenia is a star of modern French progressive music.

Unfortunately, Brandet is no longer in the music business. He is now a Yoga instructor, and resides in France.
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