A wall of sound crashes over you the moment Finnish duo Hexerei open their second album Realms… with the annihilating “Omenstorm of Eucharist Massacre.” No intro, no buildup — just straight into the flames. Formed around 2018 with the release of their Aural Abyss demo, Hexerei have since carved out their place in the underground black metal scene with another demo and a full-length debut. But with Realms…, released through the ever-bleak Sentient Ruin Laboratories, the duo takes their sound to an even harsher and more uncompromising level.
While many modern black metal bands lean into atmospheric textures or post-rock influences, Hexerei dive deeper into the filth and fury of the second wave. Think of a sound as cold and merciless as early Darkthrone or Behexen, but with the feral energy of early Katharsis or the decaying rot of Mütiilation. The production is raw, brittle, and aggressive — no polish, no concessions to listenability. This is black metal the way it was meant to be: ugly, pure, and unfiltered.
If your stereo or car is equipped with subwoofers, go ahead and dump them in the nearest scrap heap — there’s no bass to be found here. What you get is an overdose of high-end frequencies, shrieking guitars, and drums that sound like they were recorded in a damp basement with a single overhead mic. And that’s exactly the point. The mix recalls Transilvanian Hunger-era necro tones, but with an even more chaotic and claustrophobic twist.
The compositions themselves are lengthy and hypnotic. Riffs are repeated endlessly, creating a trance-like effect — a sonic scourge that whips on without offering a moment’s peace. Yet Hexerei subtly shift gears here and there with dissonant leads and percussive variations that keep the listener barely tethered, just enough to avoid total sonic drowning.
What Realms… makes abundantly clear is that Hexerei have no interest in innovation or accessibility. This is music born of pure nihilism — a form of sonic misanthropy. It’s not an easy listen, and definitely not for everyone. But for those who crave the filthy, unrelenting essence of black metal, this is a release to be welcomed with open arms (or burnt offerings).
With Realms…, Hexerei firmly position themselves alongside contemporary raw disciples like Lamp of Murmuur, Black Cilice, or Sanguine Relic — yet with that distinct Finnish atmosphere: simultaneously occult and frostbitten. No pretension, no decoration — just charred, blistering intensity.
80/100
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