ABOUT HELEVEN

The story of Heleven.

Progressive metal written from Granada. Four albums on Art Gates Records, one same journey.

History

Heleven was born in 2016, founded by Higinio Ruiz and Álvaro Castilla. The current line-up was consolidated with the arrival of Kike Martín and Matías Famá, opening the band to new musical frontiers that they explore without complexes.

After signing to Art Gates Records in 2019, they released Medusa's Love Story, an album that served as Heleven's calling card and positioned them on the national scene. Their first Spanish tour alongside Headon laid the foundations of the band's future sound.

During the summer of 2020 they recorded Into the Oceans, released in March 2021. In February 2023 they published New Horizons PT.1, and in 2024 they closed the diptych with New Horizons PT.2.

Aggressive, heavy soundscapes, deep melodies and meaningful lyrics are Heleven's leitmotiv.

The work

Medusa's Love Story (2019). A semi-conceptual album built on the premise: what would have happened if Medusa had fallen in love with one of the men she petrified? Each song can be heard independently, but listened in order and as a whole, it climaxes with the final track.

Into the Oceans (2021). A step forward in musical maturity. Leaving the "alternative" tag behind, this album is more metal, darker and more direct. It deals with anxiety, depression and mental health — songs with melancholic and tragic textures but a hopeful ending.

New Horizons PT.1 (2023) & PT.2 (2024). A diptych on the social and environmental problems of today's world. And a statement: the deliberate effort to seek new sounds and different sensations in the writing process.

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MEMBERS

Four musicians, one band.

Higinio Ruiz

Vocals & guitar

Vocalist, guitarist and composer, he has also worked as a music producer and arranger for several bands. He started his musical journey at age 8. Today he is a music teacher, passing his vision and passion on to new generations. An Aikido practitioner for nearly 20 years — a discipline that radically changed his way of understanding the world, and which has clearly influenced both his musical and teaching work.

His influences range from Gojira, Alter Bridge and Opeth to Meshuggah, Fear Factory and Dream Theater.

He plays Ibanez guitars and any amp whose sound he likes.

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Álvaro Castilla

Guitar

A guitarist from Granada who has been playing since he was 15.

Early on he studied flamenco, rock, metal and blues, touring with bands like Sölar and De la gräm, before joining Heleven in 2016.

His main influences include Sevendust, Clint Lowery, Alter Bridge, Gojira, While She Sleeps, Jinjer and Rabea Massaad.

He is currently an artist for Optima Strings, Aristides and Orange Amplifiers.

Instagram Personal channel

Kike Martín

Bass

He started in music at age 12, entirely self-taught. He went through several bands as a guitarist until he discovered that his true passion was the bass.

He has always been a fan of classic 80s/90s metal — Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, Gamma Ray. After joining Heleven, he began to explore the more progressive side of the genre.

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Matías Famá

Drums

Heleven / independent / session musician.

Born in Buenos Aires in 1985, he discovered music very early on and instruments at age 12, beginning a formation that continues today.

His biggest influences come from prog: Rush, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, Spock's Beard, Neal Morse, Genesis, Periphery, A.R.K, Toto and an endless "etc."

Fan of adrenaline sports and butler to his pets.

Currently an artist for Ufip Cymbals, Balbex Drumsticks and Ahead Armor Cases.

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