Sutekh Hexen are one of the few artists who successfully transcended that boundary between esoteric black metal and experimental noise without seeming to be also-ran poseurs in an already crowded field.   They also manage to dabble with occult imagery and moods without it coming across as a simple ploy for attention. This most recent release, Monument of Decay reissues an out of print limited LP and cassette from last year with a wider availability and a previously unreleased ten minute bonus piece appended.
Right from the first moments of "Lastness," a dark and oppressive fog enshrouds everything, obscuring sweeping noises and sinister metallic rattling to add mood and tension.Some sort of perceptible melody can be heard via simple synth sequence, but the heavily processed vocals keep it from sounding anything but conventional.The second half peels back a few of the menacing layers, but keeps its expansive, droning nature."Dakhma" is comprised of similar elements, but on the whole stays a bit calmer:more bleak than evil and more ambient than dense.There are some harsher elements that sneak through, offsetting the undulating noise and melancholy electronics, but staying more open ended without becoming too placid.
The two pieces in the middle of the original running order are where the real meat and power of the album lies."…Of Emanation" transitions smoothly from "Lastness," but after a stripped down intro it launches into full on pounding rhythms and heavily processed screaming.A dense digital sheen places everything in a nebulous space between metal (the rapid fire drumming and screaming vocals), and noise (everything else in the mix).
On "Dhumavati's Hunger," the band pushes the metal elements even further below, only overtly represented by a bit of creaking, grinding guitar noise that manages to occasionally slip through.Most of the song, however, is focused on sharp, crackling static and a lurking low-end drone that keeps things dark and terrifying.Compared to what preceded it, there is a bit more restraint to be heard, but it is still nicely raw and hulking.
This new CD issue of Monument of Decay adds lengthy a new piece, "Shadows II," that makes for an exceptional addition to an already strong release.Thin, brittle layers of noise blend with each other to lead off aggressive, but soon opens up to a surprisingly expansive, delicate passage of guitar and ambience, making for the calmest moment on this album by far.These musical inclinations stay present, even though they are soon overtaken by a jet engine-like roar blasting through.The melody stays there, obscured by blasting noise and metallic undercurrents, resulting in a constantly mutating, evolving piece of music.After a lengthy silence, the piece reappears in reverse, bringing out some different elements and sounds than what was previously heard.
The major influences on Sutekh Hexen are not hard to spot, but they clearly take those influences in a their own direction, with an occult feel that is more deep rooted than just outward imagery.There is a fitting sense of malignance that permeates Monument of Decay, and like a good horror story, it is that unspecified sense of evil that makes for its biggest attraction.
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