What are those Metal subgenres that people label as ‘something ‘n’ Roll’? Just the fusion of any Metal genre you think with elements of Rock ‘n’ Roll and/or Hard Rock. Sometimes it’s clear (as happens on ENTOMBED, ENTOMBED A.D., I and many others), and maybe such simple definition can’t make justice to what such genres are, but’s a good to define what HEXELLA plays. Just a bit on “The Ancient Caping Mouth” - the band’s first full-length - and you’ll understand.

J. D. (in reality the band’s guitarist Joe) made the recordings, mixing and mastering, with the clear idea of making things have a rough and old-fashioned sonority, but in a defined and understandable way. It means that’s heavy and aggressive, but in a way that is easy to absorb and catch their musical ideas. Musically, the band plays a form of Black Metal/Old School Black Metal with clear influences from Rock ‘n’ Roll and Hardcore (of D-beat Hardcore, to be exact). Their technique isn’t exaggerated, but not extremely simple, with a massive dose of energy, with some extremely fast moments with extreme blast beats, on others a slower appeal. It’s intense, and very good.

On the songs, the aggressive outfit shown on “Malefic Warpath”, “Leviathan Calls”, “Ophitic Revelation”, “Into 218”, “No Return”, “Black Earth”, “Obsidian Night”, “Storms of Uncreation”, “Voices of Vorsa”, “Nocturnal Fury” and “Where the Scythe Falls” is something to experience, with a very good instrumental sheath (with rhythmic shifts created by bass guitar and drums, and excellent guitar riffs) and insane growling vocals. At least, HEXELLA is a very good new name to taste, and “The Ancient Gaping Mouth” is a very good release.