| CD REVIEW Hexen |
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Band : Hexen This Southern Californian Thrash Metal act was initiated in 2003, when the whole scene was still in its infant stages of resurfacing. Originally formed in Glendale, the band ultimately moved to Los Angeles, playing club after club, independently releasing EP after EP of new and evolving material...and also suffering constantly from changing line-ups, which made the band stand chanceless in the middle of a soon over-saturated melodic Thrash Metal scene. But along the way better musicians were recruited (current line-up includes singer/ bassist Andre Hartoonian, guitarists James Lopez and Ronny Dorian, and drummer Carlos Cruz) which also were more dedicated to the music and, as is so often the case, quality will eventually surface, and the relatively new specialist label Old School Metal couldn't help but take notice! With songs chosen from their EPs, the band's debut album showcases their diverse influences from a wide spectrum of sub-genres spanning from Thrash to Extreme. In essence, their music is a slightly Progressive Heavy Metal with Thrashing elements, occasionally exchanged for a brutal Death onslaught. The lead guitarist (heavenly leads and solos there) gets the perfect backing from his collegue, something which takes a peak in the instrumental "Desolate Horizons" with its frequent mood changes (for once NOT a 2 or 3-minute little thinghy, but a serious 5-minute affair...am I mistaken, or is there a bit of keyboard at the end of that track? It's definitely piano and keyboard for the appropriately titled album closing "Outro")The pace is fast for the most part, but the guys know when to include a break or a somewhat slower passage. Hexen is also known for putting a little more imagination and intellect in their song topics, with lyrics acting as strong social commentaries, expressing the band's cynical view on poiltics and inner struggles. Check out the two songs posted at the band's myspace.com/hexen (and also the couple of videos with studio footage and interviews). Personally, I'm not too wild about the singer's vocal signature, but the music itself is of a quality to let one forget such negative thoughts from the second listening session on! In other words: an album well worth being checked out if you're into the classic sounds of the '80s Thrash Metal scene. Don't expect any copycat band however...this quartet plays quite original music! 85/100 Tony. |