Pulverised Records (2012)
The first time I listened to "Being And Nothingness", I thought it was a nice album, and that's that. All mid-tempo, cheap-sounding keyboards, a nice guitar solo here and there, average, pressed vocals… as I said, nice to listen to, but not more. Yet something made me listen more deeply.
It may have been the artwork (done by Necrolord of Dissection and Emperor fame) or the name itself (which is German for "witches"), but something there captured my attention. It was the intricate yet accessible songwriting and the mastery of the instruments which never feels over the top that came together to create a mysterious vibe I seldom come across...
"The Nescient", track nine, is a perfect example for the misleading nature of the album. First listen, I thought lame, slow, ok vocals, but there has been faster thrash, where is the double kick drum, lazy guitar leads, cheesy keyboard slow, melodic guitar solo… Where is my Hanneman/King solo attack, this is supposed to be thrash metal! Then I noticed the incredible build up, the sense of twisted harmony, and suddenly cheesiness became beauty. I noticed there was no need for senseless speed and that the details make the picture (in metal, we are so used to superlatives and uninspired "masters" playing fast just because they can). Just like the cover that at first looks boring after further scrutinizing becomes an Escher-esque piece of art, this song at first was lame, but noticing the details in every instrument, it becomes a Dissection-esque masterpiece (and while I keep ripping on the keyboards, let it be noted that the guitars, bass and drums are the dominant instruments here).
While "The Nescient" is arguably the most accessible track on this album, there are many more gems to discover. If I have to describe this band in a few words, I would say that they sound like Dissection playing proggy thrash metal. Not since the last Watain release have I found that many memorable and melancholically beautiful melodies on a record that just keeps on giving.
www.myspace.com/hexen
www.pulverised.net
Rating: 5 / 6
Composed by Lennard Bertram