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

Bolt Gun - The Warren 7"

Labels: Avantgarde Music/Starved Light

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 14 Jul 2023

Tracklist:

1. The Warren Part I

2. The Warren Part II

It's the first day of a new month. The month that will also see us into a new year. It's a chance to gain fresh momentum, at least for me anyway. That's why I'm dedicating this day to writing and listening, and first up is the two-song 7" called The Warren by Australian ambient/black/doom metal band Bolt Gun. It was released in July via Avantgarde Music and Starved Light. It was billed as the precursor to Bolt Gun's newest album The Tower, which was released in October and it features the percussive might of Iggor Cavalera on drums.

Bolt Gun is made up of guitarist/synth/orchestral arranger Jon Vayla, vocalist A.T., bassist Val Macukat and saxophonist Claire Keet on this release.

The Warren is split into two parts, both being the same length. ‘The Warren Part I’ is immediately bleak but also bold thanks to the atmospheric instrumentation performed by Bolt Gun. Iggor Cavalera’s drumming compliments the sound perfectly, adding a slightly industrial tinge to the doom-laden tempo used. On hearing the synths and saxophone, I can understand how this came to be released under the Avantgarde Records banner. It’s heavy but also intelligent at the same time.

‘The Warren Part II’ begins with synthesised strings and subtle ambience that draws you away from Bolt Gun’s heaviness. Beyond that initial opening section, the song’s first half is a mix of improv noise and off-kilter guitar. The latter half sees that band’s more structured black/doom metal appearing again, as if out of thick fog. Their cinematic post-metal influences become more prominent and temper the piercing vocals, which sit deeper in the mix.

7” EPs like this are used to build suspense and excitement, both of which Bolt Gun successfully achieve here. As the music falls aways to silence, the calm it leaves behind gives a sense of euphoria. It forms part of a larger musical journey for the band yet as a singular entity, The Warren deserves a place of it’s own. Great release.

You can stream and purchase The Warren digitally from Bolt Gun below:-

Bolt Gun - https://www.facebook.com/BoltGun

Physical 7" copies can be purchased via the links below:-

Avantgarde Music - https://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-warren

Starved Light - https://starved-light.com/products/bolt-gun-the-warren

Avantgarde Music - https://www.facebook.com/avantgardemusiclabel

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