Monday, new week and it's time to present "Record Of The Week".
"Kindred" is the 5th album by the British/Finish psychedelic forest folk-rockers HEXVESSEL. The album was released on April 17 on Svart Records. The band was formed by English/Irish singer/songwriter Mat McNerney in 2009 after he moved to Finland. Also known for his work with BEASTMILK (now known as GRAVE PLEASURES), THE DEATHTRIP, guest spots with CARPENTER BRUT and ME & THAT MAN and his earlier work with Norwegian Black Metal bands CODE & DØDHEIMSGARD, McNerney is a both highly eclectic and critically acclaimed musical artist. Across the years, it is McNerney’s work with HEXVESSEL which has been his most brave, exploratory, honest, and impossible to categorize, unique and idiosyncratic in a world all of their own.
The album was made in their original studio in Tampere, Finland, where they recorded their cult classic "No Holier Temple". It was mastered by John Davis (THE KILLERS / GORILLAZ / LED ZEPPELIN / LANA DEL REY) in the UK. Adorned by cover artwork by artists Thomas Hooper (who has worked for NEUROSIS, CONVERGE and DOOMRIDERS) and Richey Beckett (who has created work for METALLICA, FOO FIGHTERS, ROBERT PLANT)
"Kindred" is a nature-mystic opus that is taking a darker and more esoteric path, the album sees HEXVESSEL re-forge their eclectic melting cauldron or "Vessel" of sound into a potent "Hex" of spell-binding songcraft. Through "Kindred’s" 10 song rites of passage, folk roots with an occult undercurrent with a dark earthen balladry reminiscent of early NICK CAVE and the doom-laden atmospheres of DEAD CAN DANCE.
With magnificent and spooky guitars does the album opens up a delicious piece in "Billion Year Old Being", before the march takes its steps towards the unknown of progressive folkish psych-rock where the structures harken back to KING CRIMSON. Followed by the groovy 60's feel in "Demian" and a cover of COILs "Fire Of The Mind" live from a mental institution and delve into the Druidic sacrificial swamps with songs like "Bog Bodies", which conjures the deep Lynchian night with muted trumpet and foggy Rhodes piano. "Sic Luceat Lux" is an instrumental experimental piece that marks that we are halfway thru in its own way and opens up the doors for "Phaedra", a dark piece about decorating the heroin with blood, until it's time for a short interlude "Family" that opens up for "Kindred Moon", a heartfelt tune with a quirky melody of piano chords and strings. "Magical & Damned" is a spellbinding beauty with a warm and tender feeling and excellent vocals that follow up with the closing acoustic lullaby "Joy Of Sacrifice". "Kindred" is a well-cooked mix of psychedelic progressive rock and folk roots. It's an album that calls you on a journey, both intimate and richly enlightening. The album is filled up with a great deal of passion and spirit that makes it so easy to fall in love with.
Sum: A magical, damned dark sweet record.
HEXVESSEL is:
Mathew Kvohst McNerney - Vocals, Guitar
Kimmo Helén - Piano, Keys, Viola, Violin, Trumpet, Backing Vocals
Jukka Rämänen - Drums, Percussion, Bass guitar
Jesse Heikkinen - Lead guitar, Acoustic guitars & 12-string guitars, Backing Vocals
Ville Hakonen - Bass
Marja Konttinen - Backing Vocals
Today's tune "Phaedra" is taken from the album "Kindred", released April the 17th, 2020, enjoy!
More info @
Official Hexvessel Bandcamp
Listen to ”Hexvessel - Phaedra" on Spotify!
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