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HEXEN
Wild Hunt EP

Self-released (2022)
Rating: 6/10

Out of the shadows of Rancagua in Chile, Hexen delivers a distinctly Euro metal gallop with its debut EP Wild Hunt.

These sort of bands were common back in the depths of the 80s and were often derided by the press for being all too lo-fi, tepid and obscure. It’s strange then that decades later that particular style of sword n’ sorcery-styled metal is doing the rounds once again.

As evidenced on tracks such as ‘The Covenant’ and ‘The Hunter’, all flaws are very much visible with this release; the vocals are at times frail warbles, the drums lack any sort of meatiness and the guitars and bass skip along in rather generic fashion. And yet there’s a certain charm about such fragility as this tidy but somewhat primitive EP rambles on until its heart is content.

‘The Darkest Dungeon’ trudges with doomy grooviness like some dusty Scandinavian platter that spent most of its time in the import racks back in the day. Meanwhile, ‘The Call’ is sturdy and sombre in its subtlety and showcases the versatility of the band to write a fireside ballad, and personal favourite ‘Bones And Cauldrons’ is brisk and edges towards the epic with its croons of wild fantasy.

Wild Hunt then is one of those traditional metal offerings you can live without, but those cheered and buoyed by such lukewarm expressions may find something of interest.

Neil Arnold

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