Style: Epic Doom (clean vocals)
Review by: Jonah
Country: Norway
Release date: 09-11-2018
NOTE: This album was originally included in the November 2018 issue of The Progressive Subway
I’m really spoiled when it comes to Doom Metal. It’s the genre I spend the most time with regularly, so I’m well-versed in the big names, and I’ve definitely found my own personal Doom niche. Because of this, I tend to be pretty damn picky with new Doom bands, and often I’ll be heavily disappointed because they’re just doing the same thing one of those bigger bands did, but not nearly as well. Epic Doom especially has this issue, as I grew up listening to Candlemass. Between them and recently discovering King Goat, blowing me away with an Epic Doom album is difficult on a good day. So my question going into this Hex A.D. album was simply whether I would find anything at all to be excited by, or if I would be bored to tears.
Thankfully Hex A.D. have a pretty killer sound going for them here. It’s not perfect, and it’s not Candlemass (I’m spoiled I’m sorry), but they’re doing justice to the genre for sure. The guitars are chunky, and the riffs are enjoyable, if not particularly exciting. However, the lead guitar-work occasionally drifts away from the traditional epic doom sound to something closer to Maiden-esque NWOBHM solos and I absolutely love it. It makes the songs really pop. The drumming hasn’t particularly caught my ear, but it does an admirable job of pushing the songs forward. There are also organs pretty consistently throughout the album, and it definitely beefs up an otherwise somewhat traditional sound.
The vocals are my biggest sticking point here. They’re not bad by any means, but by the standards of this particular doom subgenre they’re solidly unimpressive. They drift between NWOBHM style cleans just make me wish I was listening to Satan or Iron Maiden, and harsher, throaty growls that I prefer between the two, as they do a great job filling out the heavier moments on the album.
Is Hex A.D. the next big Epic Doom release? Absolutely not, but it was quite fun to listen to, and I encourage fans of the style to give it at least one or two spins, you’ll probably hear a few things that you really enjoy.
Recommended tracks: Netherworld Triumphant Part 1 and 2
Recommended for fans of: Candlemass, Sorcerer
Final verdict: {}/10
Related links: Spotify | Facebook | Metal-Archives page
Label: Fresh Tea Records – Website | Facebook
Hex. A.D is:
– Rick Hagan (vocals, drums)
– Matt Hagan
– Are Gogstad (bass)
– Magnus Johansen (keyboard)
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