When Bolt Thrower gave up the ghost back a few years ago, no single band stepped up to fill the void left by the long-running UK death metal legends. Spanish outfit Hex hurtle out of the Basque region with an eye focused on Karl Willetts and company, and what made them perennial favorites. Hex wear their influences proudly stitched on their battle vests, and their sophomore album, God Has No Name, mixes their Bolt Thrower worship with the doomier, viscous underbelly of classic Unleashed.
Album openers "Thy Kingdom Gone" and "Soulsculptor" set the stage for wanton destruction, as vocalist J. (aka Jonathan Garcia, of Virulency and Tomb) sustains a deep growl on the Sinister/Incantation spectrum. The rhythm section of bassist Endika and drummer Asier remains in perfect lockstep throughout, providing a fertile foundation for guitarists Jon and Adolfo WB to wail into the darkening skies. "Apocryphal" is a soloing highlight, its ravenous licks falling squarely between Morgoth and newer Obituary.
"Worshipping Falsehood" is slower and more doom/death, reminiscent at times of early Paradise Lost or Katatonia. "Where Gods Shall Not Reign" is the strongest track here: the perfect balance of Asphyx-like death and doom, female vocals à la Novembers Doom, and varied vocals/samples/echoed screams throughout the track. Stunning, apocalyptic artwork by Warbanner depicts the upheaval of hell, splitting black earth, and forbidden portals, all of which is the ideal backdrop for Hex's truest foray into the international metal arena.
(Transcending Obscurity)Album openers "Thy Kingdom Gone" and "Soulsculptor" set the stage for wanton destruction, as vocalist J. (aka Jonathan Garcia, of Virulency and Tomb) sustains a deep growl on the Sinister/Incantation spectrum. The rhythm section of bassist Endika and drummer Asier remains in perfect lockstep throughout, providing a fertile foundation for guitarists Jon and Adolfo WB to wail into the darkening skies. "Apocryphal" is a soloing highlight, its ravenous licks falling squarely between Morgoth and newer Obituary.
"Worshipping Falsehood" is slower and more doom/death, reminiscent at times of early Paradise Lost or Katatonia. "Where Gods Shall Not Reign" is the strongest track here: the perfect balance of Asphyx-like death and doom, female vocals à la Novembers Doom, and varied vocals/samples/echoed screams throughout the track. Stunning, apocalyptic artwork by Warbanner depicts the upheaval of hell, splitting black earth, and forbidden portals, all of which is the ideal backdrop for Hex's truest foray into the international metal arena.