HENGE are a musical category of their own. The quartet has spent the past decade building a strange universe, combining psychedelic rock, progressive experimentation, electronic eccentricity, 80s/90s video games music, rave culture and science-fiction fantasy into an experience that is as unpredictable and exhilarating. Their mission? To bring a message of peace to humanity, put an end to wars and encourage mankind to explore space. And, of course, to make people dance!
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
Formed in Manchester in 2015, HENGE are much more than an ordinary rock band. Performing as fictional characters named Zpor, Goo, Sol and Nom, they have created a mythology that extends beyond their music. Their colorful identities, extravagant costumes and imaginative storytelling are essential elements of a concept that transforms every performance into something truly unusual. They describe their distinctive musical style as Cosmic Dross, a term that perfectly captures the strange, playful and wonderfully chaotic nature of their songs.
The band consists of Matthew Whitaker, responsible for vocals and guitar, Pete Turner on bass and synth bass, Roy Medhurst behind the synthesizers and Sam Draper on the drums. Together, they have developed a musical language that refuses to remain within familiar territory. Psychedelic passages collide with infectious electronic rhythms, progressive arrangements meet pulsating dance beats and unexpected changes in direction keep listeners constantly guessing. There is certainly a sense of humor in what they do, but beneath the theatrical presentation lies an ambitious musical project.
HENGE introduced their peculiar philosophy to the world with the release of the five-track debut EP, “Cosmic Dross”, in July 2017 through Love Love Records. The record provided the first glimpse of their unusual artistic identity and quickly attracted attention within the alternative festival circuit. It was an introduction to a band that had absolutely no intention of playing by conventional rules, musically or visually.
Their first full-length album, “Attention Earth!”, arrived on October 19, 2018, marking an important step for the band. Building on the ideas introduced in their debut EP, the album expanded their sonic palette while establishing the foundations of their increasingly recognizable sound. It also helped bring their peculiar brand of entertainment to a wider audience, confirming that HENGE were not simply another act relying on extravagant outfits and an amusing backstory.
Their creative momentum continued in 2020 with “ExoKosm”, a further exploration of their musical possibilities. The album demonstrated their ability to combine different styles without sacrificing coherence, moving between space rock, progressive rock, psychedelic rock and heavy rock. During this period, they also released singles such as “Exo” and “Get Outta Ma House”, adding further dimensions to their catalogue.
In 2023, HENGE returned with “Alpha Test 4”, another chapter in their musical exploration. Singles including “Wanderlust” and “Get A Wriggle On” further illustrated their willingness to experiment with rhythm, texture and weird songwriting.
Their latest full-length release, “Journey to Voltus B”, arrived in 2025 through Cosmic Dross Records. The album made once again clear that HENGE have no interest in standing still. The accompanying singles “Ascending” and “Slingshot/Hypersleep” offered further evidence of their creativity, while subsequent remix releases provided new perspectives on their material.
Yet, understanding HENGE requires much more than listening to their studio recordings. Their true strength lies in the live environment, where music, theatre, visual spectacle and audience participation come together to create something genuinely distinctive. Their concerts are colorful celebrations of imagination, filled with elaborate costumes, infectious rhythms, unexpected musical detours and an impossible-to-resist sense of fun. The four musicians invite audiences into their fictional world, encouraging everyone to forget the outside world and everyday routine.
HENGE have been established as festival favorites throughout the United Kingdom and beyond. Their reputation grew rapidly through appearances at festivals, where their performances attracted enthusiastic crowds. In 2018, they received the Live Act of the Year award at the Independent Festival Awards in Sheffield. Their achievements were acknowledged once again in 2022, when the music video for “New Planet” received a Silver Award in the Best Music Video category at the Tokyo Film Awards.
Their ambitions have also extended into the world of comics. Beginning in 2019, HENGE collaborated with artists Tom Eglington, Boo Cook, known for his work on the legendary British comic 2000 AD, and Phil Buckenham to create a series of illustrated adventures based on the band’s characters and mythology. The first issue appeared in September 2019, followed by two further instalments in 2021 and 2023. This additional dimension demonstrates how their concept has developed into a complete fictional universe, with music serving as the main form of expression.
HENGE have shared their musical adventures with like-minded artists. In 2026, they embarked on the Sounds of the Cosmos Tour, joining forces with legendary space rock pioneers Gong for some performances. The collaboration between two acts with such strong connections to psychedelic experimentation and space/progressive rock landscapes was a natural meeting of minds, bringing together different generations of adventurous musicians.
And the journey is far from over. Their forthcoming album “HUMANS”, scheduled for 2027, promises another chapter in their ongoing relationship with our planet. The band has also announced an ambitious world tour for the same year, covering the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, USA and Mexico. These dates are their first-ever performances in North America, introducing their phenomenal sound to new audiences.
Before that next major expedition, however, HENGE are preparing to bring their unique show to Athens. On Friday, November 6, 2026, Gazarte Ground Stage will welcome one of the most eccentric and entertaining live acts to emerge from the British scene in recent years. For those unfamiliar with their work, this will be an excellent opportunity to discover a band with irresistible rhythms and infectious energy.
In a world that often seems increasingly divided, their mission to bring peace, unity and positive energy to humanity feels surprisingly relevant. Perhaps their message is wrapped in bizarre costumes, strange characters and storytelling, but the underlying idea is simple and beautiful – music can bring people together, encourage imagination and offer an escape from dull reality.
Prepare for an unusual encounter. Leave your expectations at the door, keep your minds open and get ready to experience something completely different. HENGE are heading to Athens and Gazarte Ground Stage!
