Finnish black metal act Hexvessel have set their signatures under a multi-album deal with Prophecy Productions. The band will release their seventh studio full-length via the label. Also, they have already been confirmed for this year’s edition of Prophecy Fest.
Mat “Kvohst” McNerney comments:
“I am a fiercely independent minded artist and Hexvessel has its own sound, ideology and spiritual path”, vocalist and guitarist Mat “Kvohst” McNerney explains. “Moreover, I wanted a label that would respect, care for and nurture that wild art spirit. I have known and been friends with Martin Koller, Stefan Belda, and Prophecy for many years. We go back to the origin of Hexvessel and our first live shows abroad and they have always supported my work. I felt we would always be destined to work together in a creative aspect. Also, I am proud to now come under the banner of a label that stands for true beauty in art and creative music.”
Prophecy Productions stated:
“We are all thrilled to welcome a long-time friend and outstanding artist such as Mat McNerney and Hexvessel to our roster”, the label’s founder Martin Koller writes. “Hexvessel are in many regards the perfect fit for Prophecy Productions. Indeed, as their highly individualistic and ever evolving music is exciting. Also, it’s hard to pin down and limit to only one genre.”
In celebration of this occasion, the band unveiled a visualiser for the previously unreleased song Under the Lake.
Hexvessel commented on the digital single:
“I actually started writing Under The Lake as the first song for our return to black metal… Before the other parts of Polar Veil took shape”, mastermind Mat McNerney reveals. “Although it was always a favorite of mine, Under the Lake still remained unfinished. This was partly due to the fact that its theme was neither polar nor set in wintertime. Which meant that the song did not sit well with the rest of the album. Instead, Under the Lake is about summer hikes into the secluded and remote deep fell areas… Where you will find bottomless clear lakes or ‘saivo’.”
“In Sámi beliefs, saivos (sáiva) were thought to be homes to the deceased as well as various spirits and deities. Also, the Sámi word sáiva refers to a holy lake or fell, and the spirits residing in it. It could also denote a dwelling of the deceased or anything sacred. Depending on the context. A saivo, like our own world, was usually believed to exist beyond a hole at the bottom of a lake. However, with another identical lake upside down.”
“To me, this is a perfect metaphor for looking at the world. There is a deeper meaning out there, if you look hard enough. ‘Under the Lake’ … there is another lake. I am glad that this personal favorite of mine finally comes to see the light of day. It happens in the preternatural summer in which we announce our pact with Prophecy!”
About the band
While Hexvessel are based in Tampere, Finland, the band came to life due to the English singer & songwriter Kvohst aka Mat McNerney after he moved to the country in 2009. In many ways, the band reflects its founder. Mat McNerney has instigated and been involved in various bands ranging from UK black metal act Code, a stint in Norwegian legends Dodheimsgard… Also to rock shooting stars Beastmilk – later ‘continued’ with Grave Pleasures… To name but a few of his success stories.
If there is a constant element in McNerney‘s work, it is a permanent evolution and ever-lasting search for new forms of expression and artistic development. This also applies to Hexvessel – as the band shifted from using more folkish and psychedelic elements to their current incarnation as an atmospheric black metal outfit over the course of time. True to their nature as a musical enigma, none of that was ever exclusive… However, elements of the above as well as post-punk and other stylistic references have been there before and remain present.
Nevertheless, Hexvessel continues its free spiritual journey as shamanic shapeshifters. The music resonates with solitary reflection and themes of personal spiritual transcendence. Meanwhile, it stays open to reinvent and explore nature mysticism through sonic means.
Current lineup
Mat Kvohst McNerney – vocals, guitar
Kimmo Helén – piano, keys, strings, guitar
Jukka Rämänen – drums, percussion
Ville Hakonen – bass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFc-sz5TWvI