Modern metal pushed to the extreme - A review of Hexvoid's Raven

Hexvoid is a Japanese metalcore quartet that surprises with its creative Do It Yourself spirit including self-made records and tours organized in small underground bars around the world. I had the opportunity to attend one of the band's concerts at Ottawa's Café Dekcuf in front of perhaps about fifty fans and I picked up the band's only regular full length album released so far since the group mostly focuses on singles and extended plays. The band has released a highly entertaining documentary about these concerts in Canada that show four dedicated musicians exploring the world in an enthusiastic way. This enthusiasm could certainly be felt in concert as well. The drummer stood up on several occasions and ran frantically around his drum kit. The bass guitar player hopped off the stage to participate in moshpits. The guitarist was the most focused musician and impressed with tight riffs in every song. The singer was entertaining and managed to communicate perfectly with the crowd despite the language barrier. Music knows no cultural barriers and I'm certain that I'm not the only one who really loved Hexvoid's vivid concert.

The band's only full length effort Raven was released back in 2014 and offers ten songs as well as a short overture and an equally concise coda for a total running time of roughly fifty minutes. ''Discharge'' convinces with a few vibrant rhythm changes and expressive angry vocals. The song doesn't really fit with the instrumental overture but is certainly a grower that unfolds with every spin. The album's most remarkable tune is certainly ''Mosh&Beer'' that summarizes the band spirit appropriately. The chaotic rhythm section, distorted guitar sounds and expressive vocals make for a wild party anthem that works splendidly in concert. ''Clash'' shows a different side of the band with more melodic alternative rock guitar riffs and melodic clean vocals. Don't get fooled however since the song also includes industrial rock riffs and nasty vocals that contrast the more harmonious parts very well. 

Even though the album loses some steam in its second half, Raven gives you a very good idea how crazy, enthusiastic and open-minded Hexvoid is. If you like modern metal pushed to the extreme, you should certainly give Raven a few spins. The band makes me think of groups like Maximum the Hormone and certainly deserves more attention and praise for its Do It Yourself spirit without any compromises.

Final rating: 75%

Watch the band's highly entertaining documentary in three parts about the Canadian tour in November and December 2019