Hexvessel Sign to Century Media; Tiamat Cover Posted
I have to admit, folks, I’m kind of scratching my head on this one. Don’t get me wrong, Hexvessel are a very cool band. I’ve dug the stuff they put out on Svart and I went out of my way to catch them when the opportunity presented itself a couple years back at Roadburn. But they’re not exactly what I’d consider a commercial property, and if you look at the bulk of the roster for Century Media, that does seem to be where the heart of their interest lies these days. Finnish psychedelic folk rock? Will that sell? Is Kerrang gonna cover that?
Also, is Kerrang still in print?
Hexvessel mark the second time in 2015 that Century Media have gotten their hands dirty to pluck a band up from the underground. You might recall they picked up skate rockers The Shrine a bit ago. Could be the label’s had a change of approach, or could be a freak thing. I guess we’ll find out over the next few months if the trend continues.
For now, here’s the Hexvessel announcement off the PR wire:
HEXVESSEL announce signing with Century Media Records and release Tiamat “Gaia” cover version
HEXVESSEL and Century Media Records are proud to announce a worldwide deal for the upcoming releases of the Finnish psychedelic folk rock band.
Vocalist and guitarist Mat McNerney (also singer in Grave Pleasures) comments:
“In many ways the new Hexvessel songs are a new beginning for the band. The time we have invested in this next album has been very carefully spent. So we have become very focused in what we want to do and want to deliver something really special for our fans when it comes to releasing the next record. It’s very important music for us, close to the bone and nestled right up next to our hearts. We were looking for a relationship with our record label to be the same as our bond with each other in the band. It has to be real and it has to be a shared experience! The way we met Jens and the wonderful people at Century Media was at a very special time for us and them, and we felt a unique connection that has grown ever since. That they totally understand and truly feel for what we’re doing is really important. After all this is magic art we are creating and is from a personal place. We believe that with Century Media we will have the support and encouragement to take our music further than ever before. Deepest thanks to all our fans and friends without whom we are nothing, our publisher and friend Andy Farrow at AMF for his good faith, the guys at Svart Records for bringing us up and holding our hands from our inception, and hails to the good folks at Century Media for believing in Hexvessel and heralding a new dawn for us. It’ll be a bright a blessed future. Shine on!”
Jens Prueter, Head of A&R Century Media Records Europe: “I was already a fan of the previous Hexvessel albums but I got truly addicted to the band after seeing them live in early 2014 supporting Alcest. It was an ill-fated day as we had just received the bad news about the passing of Oliver Withöft, co-owner of Century Media. We found solace in music and that’s probably the greatest thing music can achieve – to quote the US free-jazz legend Albert Ayler: “Music is the healing force of the universe”. Afterwards, I met Mat a couple of times and we discovered being kindred spirits in our taste of music. There are not too many people I know who like Ultimate Spinach as much as Albert Ayler and Tiamat. Hexvessel’s cover version of “Gaia” was originally intended to be released on a 20th anniversary edition of Tiamat’s “Wildhoney” but unfortunately the project never came into being. Since “Wildhoney” is still one of the most successful Century Media releases, it’s a perfect opportunity to release the cover now and celebrate a new chapter in Hexvessel’s career that hopefully will be as successful. It certainly will include some amazing music.”
Hexvessel Live:
11.27.2015 Leafmeal Festival, Dortmund, Germany (w/ Crippled Black Phoenix, Long Distance Calling, Dead Lord, ’77 and more)
www.facebook.com/leafmealfestival
Hexvessel Line-up:
Mat McNerney – Vocals & guitar
Jukka Rämänen – Drums
Simo Kuosmanen – Lead guitar
Niini Rossi – Bass guitar
Kimmo Helén – Keys, trumpet & violin.
Marja Konttinen – backing vocals & additional percussion
Hexvessel Discography:
“Iron Marsh” EP 2013
“Vainolainen” 7″ 2012
“No Holier Temple” CD/LP 2012
“Dawnbearer” CD/LP 2011
https://www.facebook.com/hexvessel
www.centurymedia.com
Doesn’t surprise me that much, Century Media is just trying to jump on the “occult rock” bandwagon that is so trendy now.