Review: “Self Titled” by Hessian

“The self titled Hessian E.P. represents a homage to certain underground blackened first and second wave styles in which I have an unspoken loyalty to, but seek to expand how that essence is captivated. The dark primal and bestial force of an ageless belief in a very intense, raw, and primitive format, hence there is no bass guitar, only rhythm guitar (one solo on the first song), vocals, and drums. There are varying forms of experimentation within our albums and releases that cover a range of styles within the UG/Black realm. The E.P. as well focusing on an invocative measure within the guitar playing to a hypnotic and repetitive style, further immersing those who would align with unspeakable entities, being both their greatest custodians and celebrants.” ~ Laremy Wade, guitars

Arguably best described as a primitive Black Metal project from Atlanta Gerogia, Hessian actually began life more than twenty years ago in 2002 as an instrumental project comprising two guitars and drums with no bass or vocals. Driven by founder and guitarist Laremy Wade’s love of the genre discovered through underground magazines, tape trading and books, the main influences on the project were bands like Mayhem, Emperor and Sarcofago. As a three piece, the band shared a collection of demos and rehearsal tapes dubbed “Infernal Racket Sessions” but it wasn’t until 2024 that things began to take shape. Recruiting Brandon Floyd as their vocalist the group, rounded out by drummer Adam Dickerson and second guitarist Nathan Gombert resurrected a raw and unfinished demo from their early days, reworking the material to get the best out of those who crafted it…

Deliberately raw and unfiltered, opening cut “Devour… Escape… Revenge…” sounds like it was recorded in one take, live on the floor of a damp, dark basement torture chamber hell only the lack of deafening feedback and reverb pointing to that not being the case. A whirlwind of percussive battery creates the backbone of the sound with primitive and repetitive earworm riffs inflicting further damage. A dissonant solo is more of a curiosity than an acidic face melting substance but the vocals are nothing short of caustic. Those sonic abrasions make way for “Veil Of Night” which is very much a demo and not from the same sessions as the opening cut. It doesn’t sound like the tracks have been mixed or mastered so at first the difference in quality will catch you off guard like a sucker punch. However they are very much in keeping with the intended primitive and raw nature of the beast and they do have a certain charm to them. Floyd sounds like he’s gone feral on this one, the rampaging early Black Metal guitars threatening to be drowned out by the restless and relentless drums.

There are a few other influences that creep into the sound of Hessian including Death Metal, which arguably is what instrumental “Hidden Altar Of Corona Borealis” is. A barbed cut comprising 80 seconds of old school riffs, jackhammer footwork and powerful cymbal hits, it feels like an unfinished part from another song and in doing so leaves you crying out for more. Between 2002-2003 Hessian were known as Madame Durant before switching to Utuk Xul Commands Worship until 2016 so whether “Eternally Possessed By Utuk Xul” is a reference to that or not, you’d have to ask the band themselves. Another instrumental, this one flirts with Black ‘n Roll and has some inventive drum fills wrapped around an earworm of a main riff that doesn’t get old despite its repetition. Fortunately there are more cuts with vocals as Floyd returns to the microphone for “Warning Shadows“, his demonic calls from the apocalyptic wasteland enough to make your ears bleed and risk a brain haemorrhage. A cut with an undeniable swagger and air of confidence about it, this one reached up towards the five minute mark without getting old. Arguably the pick of the bunch is the savage “Infernal Crushing Reality” which rampages through the parade like a tornado, destroying everything in its path. Floyd sounds like he’s been impaled on a spike, his vocals caustic and abrasive as he squirms [7/10]

1. Devour… Escape… Revenge…
2. Veil Of Night
3. Hidden Altar Of Corona Borealis (Instrumental)
4. Eternally Possessed By Utuk Xul (Instrumental)
5. Warning Shadows
6. Infernal Crushing Reality

“Self Titled” by Hessian is out 20th June 2025 via WormHoleDeath Records