Hexis - Relictus/Umbrae

Labels: 7Degrees Records/Ancient Temple Recordings/Starved Light

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 22 Apr 2024

Tracklist:

1. Relictus

2. Umbrae

When I sat down to write the review of the Tethered demo, I opened up by saying how lovely it is to be able to write about and listen to familiar bands. They may be bands that have featured here in the past or bands that I've witnessed live, as well as those I have more of a personal connection with. Hexis is definitely one such name that can be counted as any and all of those things. From my first time seeing them live in the basement of The Royal Park Cellars in Leeds alongside This Gift Is A Curse in 2012 (I think), I was hooked.

Earlier this week, they released their latest two-track EP Relictus/Umbrae, on 8" vinyl and digital formats via 7Degrees Records (Germany), Ancient Temple Recordings (Canada) and Starved Light (Australia). Hexis are extremely active on the live circuit and also on the release front, notching up 19 physical releases not counting this one (according to Discogs).

The instant I hit play on ‘Relictus’ I’m transported back into the smoke and strobe-light filled pitch-black rooms that I remember witnessing Hexis in. Also, it dawns on me that the first time I saw them live was twelve years ago now!. Anyway, enough reminiscing as this is serious business and the black metal/hardcore fusion created by the band is brutally infectious, just as it has always been. There seems to be a preciseness to it here though, which makes the music sound even heavier.

Second song ‘Umbrae’ takes on a very different form to it’s predecessor. More feedback-laden, thicker in atmosphere and slower. At times it takes inspiration from drone but there’s also that sense that it’s going to explode into chaos. That chaos doesn’t come as expected though as Hexis choose instead to continue at a sludgy, slow pace (at least for them anyway). In doing so, it’s difficult not to be enthralled by the whole experience of this release.

It has always been hard to compare them to other bands but given who they have joined for split releases to date (As We Draw, Euglena, Redwood Hill, Primitive Man, This Gift Is A Curse, Telos), there’s a sense of kinship and snapshots in time that went on to shape this EP. Consistency can sometimes be a substitute for boring, but it’s not the case with Hexis. This EP will leave you aching for more and if you aren’t already familiar with their extensive back catalogue, then what are you waiting for?

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally, and physically from Hexis below:-

Hexis - https://www.facebook.com/Hexisband

7Degrees Records - https://www.7degrees-records.de/shop/8-vinyl/h-8-vinyl/

Ancient Temple Recordings - https://ancienttemplerecordings.bigcartel.com/product/hexis-8-record-pre-order

Starved Light - https://hexisband.bandcamp.com/album/relictus-umbrae

7Degrees Records - https://www.facebook.com/7DegreesRecords

Ancient Temple Recordings - https://www.facebook.com/AncientTempleRecordings

Starved Light -  https://www.facebook.com/starvedlight

Redwood Hill/Hexis - Split 7" Picture Disc

Labels: Bookhouse Records/Boue Records/Enjoyment Records/Invektiv Records/KPHC/Maniyax Records/Mind Control Records/Shove Records

Formats: 7" Picture Disc/Digital

Release Date: 11 Nov 2013

Tracklist:

1. Redwood Hill - Applewhite

2. Hexis - Tenebris

Many moons ago I wrote a list of physical releases I owned, by labels I'd featured here with the idea of interspersing my regular reviews with write-ups about them. The list was mainly made up of 7" releases. I've decided to finally dust off that list out of nostalgia and I'm starting with the record that was the first picture disc in my personal collection. I purchased it from UK label Enjoyment Records (RIP) and it features a song each from post-metal band Redwood Hill and black metal/hardcore band Hexis, both from Denmark. 500 copies were pressed in total.

Redwood Hill’s post-metal is a heavy cross between Cult Of Luna and Enslaved (maybe). That comparison is possible a bit off now, but it sounds like that was what they were going for when they wrote and recorded ‘Applewhite’ for this split. It’s sludgy and slow, but with a black metal backbone all of it’s own. It may be nearly seven years since it was released but it still sounds as punishing as ever. Progressive in places but also just evil sounding.

Hexis on the other hand are (and were in this case) always straight to the point. Their black metal on ‘Tenebris’ is accompanied by grinding tempos more than it is hardcore. This split definitely captures a place in time and when I was discovering a lot of heavy bands for the first time, Hexis was one of my favourites and still are. I’ve always been enamoured by their intensity and musical craft.

This release will always have a special place in my collection. Both Redwood Hill and Hexis give me so much joy and energy, and while 2020 continues to serve up shit, at least there’s that to hold on to. If you can find a copy in the wild somewhere, you should grab one!

You can stream Redwood Hill's song 'Applewhite' via their bandcamp page below:-

You can stream the full split via the Enjoyment Records Bandcamp page here:-

Physical copies are completely sold out from the labels above (and most of them are no longer in existence). The releasing labels that are still alive are listed below.

Redwood Hill - https://www.facebook.com/RedwoodHill/

Hexis - https://www.facebook.com/Hexisband/

Boue Records - https://www.facebook.com/Boue-Records/

KPHC - https://www.facebook.com/KPHC666/

Maniyax Records - https://www.facebook.com/ManiyaxRecords/

Shove Records - https://www.facebook.com/SHOVE-records

Hexis - XII

Labels: Crown And Throne Ltd/Moment Of Collapse/Division Records/Truthseeker Music

Formats: LP/CD/Digital

Release Date: 30th Sep 2017

Tracklist:

1. Derelictus

2. Nefarius

3. Famelicus

4. Miseria

5. Sacrificium

You often hear mainstream pop/rock acts saying they're the "hardest working" bands around. Most of those bands are pampered though and driven around in big tour buses. Hexis is the complete opposite, with their DIY approach and lust for constant touring, which saw them play 195 shows over the course of 2017 in Asia, the Middle East, Europe & the USA. They also found time to release their most recent full-length "Tando Ashanti" and this EP "XII", all but six months apart. I'm a little late with this, but it's definitely still hot!

Hexis is most definitely one of those bands whose recorded output more than matches their live performances (minus the strobe light though!). “XII” begins with the raging, blackened spectacle that is Derelictus. It’s feels like a precursor for the uninitiated, as the band’s careening percussion, riffs and vocals open up with a near sixty-second blast. Their music is more than just power and fury though and they weave atmosphere into every bar, which is why it’s such a captivating experience seeing them in a live setting. 

Nefarius is the closest that Hexis has ever got to black metal and it’s part of a trend (if I can call it that) that European bands are grabbing and running with at the moment. Black metal seems to be a more prominent fixture on “XII” amongst the band’s grinding, hardcore noise. Famelicus gives you subtle yet menacing melody that’s buried within the music, complimenting the mid-range shrieks and feedback that envelopes it. The cymbal crashes are also a constant and remind you of the band’s metallic nature. 

Talking of feedback, the huge swathe that greets you on Miseria is both harrowing and hypnotising at the same time. The urgency that Hexis attacks the song with is reminiscent of the aforementioned strobe light and there’s no way to hide from it. It definitely helps to banish the memory of a shitty working day. Closing song Sacrificium reminds of the crusty goodness of Totem Skin (RIP) and thus is already a winner. The lengthy instrumental passage at it’s beginning is a thing of beauty, lasting nearly two minutes. There’s something life affirming about it as Hexis passes over to their flailing finale. The whole song is violent and exhausting but you won’t want it to end. 

There’s no much else left to say really. Just jam this glorious wall of noise and prepare yourself for their next raid on the UK (whenever that is). 

Stream "XII" and get it as a name-your-price-download here:-

Hexis - https://www.facebook.com/Hexisband/

Physical copies can be purchased from the labels below:-

Crown And Throne Ltd - http://crownandthroneltd.bigcartel.com/products

Moment Of Collapse Records - http://records.kollektif.eu

Division Records - http://divisionrecords.bigcartel.com

Truthseeker Music - http://truthseekermusic.limitedrun.com

Crown And Throne Ltd - https://www.facebook.com/crownandthroneltd/

Moment Of Collapse Records - https://www.facebook.com/momentofcollapse/

Division Records - https://www.facebook.com/divisionrecs/

Truthseeker Music - https://www.facebook.com/truthseekmusic/