Hamerex
IX
10 Track Album
IX Music
Released 7th October 2013
Stunning new album from Hamerex out today!
Hamerex –
Wakefield, North Yorkshire
Links:
Pre order from
here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ix-Hamerex/dp/B00EZM32U
http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/51834513/IX/Product.html
http://www.code7music.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_749&products_id=5760
www.actionrecords.co.uk/buy/ix_442928.htm
Discography
Demo – 2005
Best of Live – 2005
Gates of Hades
If it’s too Loud, You’re too old
Into War – EP
The Wicker Man
The Lycan EP
Rites of Passage – Studio Album
IX
Genre: Heavy
Metal
Brief Biography:
“Hamerex are a Heavy Metal band that formed on
14th August 2004. The band are an energetic and entertaining live band with a
large catalogue of catchy and melodic songs”
A very apt name
for the title of Hamerex’s new album
IX as this is exactly how many years
Hamerex have been producing and
slamming out the best in metal.
IX Circles
A soft but evil
whisper taunts and turns into a sway of deftly carved rhythms with haunting
synth tones that send shivers down your spine. This is one powerful track that
deserves attention and will no doubt get it as it is a very unique track and
shows the diverse side of Hamerex.
The Life of Death
Hard edged
beats forge an uncompromising level of captivation and thrust a powerfully
strong vocal of cleverly thought out lyrics right in the metal face, with this
igniting an emotive track, holding some excitable rhythms that ripple with a
catchy strenuous embrace.
Inferno
Is hard hitting
and heavy without a doubt, with an amazing beat that will have your head moving
and your feet tapping along to that edgy rhythm in no uncertain terms! It’s as catchy
as hell and I think you may find yourself reaching for the replay once the
track comes to an end – I have not only done this but also cranked it up
another few more notches for full on face melting effect! The guitar solo spot
is superb so listen out for that!
Edge of Madness
Chunkier than a
Yorkie bar! Its groove laden rhythms will simply devour you on listening. It
spans with a hard edged vocal and quickly gains tempo with a thrash theme and
fast fretwork which is mouth-watering.
The Extremist
This is also a
rather chunky track that has thrashy elements. Quite early on in the track it
slows and then forges back to the thrash theme. Andy – rather the extremist
here I feel (and who plays guitar as well as bass) has just simply gone to town on the fret-work with Darren not far
behind literally giving the drums a good workout!
The jaw-dropping Hamerex in action
Mortuary
Shrill guitar
work opens this track along with a resounding punch on the skins. Again catchy
lyrics and holding superb rhythm, brilliant vocal scathing with supersonic bass
hooks.
The Stranger
Quite a
provocative track in its own right, the catchiness never far away and
lingering. The more I listen, the more that chug bites and holds some deep
thought provoking moments of stringed pleasure that give it a hard edged feel and
simply embraces what is quite an abrasive and inspiring track with plenty of
added clout to boot!
Descent of Angels
This track is
thoroughly spring loaded and bounces just as durably as a rubber ball. If you
don’t reach for the volume on this track there’s no hope for you! Although it
does slow down for a guitar outing a bit further on to let you gather your
thoughts, and then grabs the throat for a final onslaught of brutality, with
excellent echo at the end.
The Night of Samhain
I have been
informed on good authority that I was the inspiration for this 11 minute track,
which is an honour indeed. It is a moody track with a cheeky bass line running
through it and a sharp stringed arrangement. It bursts forth with an ambient
quality and holds an 80’s sound to it. You have to listen to when the track
supposedly stops and then a progressive moment can be savoured which happens
half way through. The harmonies are composed in a chanting vein, giving the
track plenty of added depth and vocally very strong, definitely gives it a
Pagan feel to the proceedings.
Still the Wall Remains
A rather
stunning track of sumptuous chords and wondrous beats all melting effortlessly
into a mesmeric track, that I feel is like Japanese Knotwood – once it takes hold
it isn’t letting go! The harmonies are interesting as they are unique. The vocals
are soft and dreamlike until the guitar takes over with a spiky rhythm just
adding to this complex piece of writing. Definitely another of my favourites on
the album. Steve does the main vocals for this track and both he and Andy share their expertise on the synth. Absolutely stunning!
To Sum up:
Hamerex for me will never lose their allure
and appeal. The slow, dark, heavy melodies are compelling and intriguing with
strong rhythms that really add depth to their quirky and unique sound. Hamerex have their own trademark of
superb artwork by Mel Wales and James Mullet and mesmerising, as they are diverse, with catchy and memorable
lyrics that you can dry your hair to! This
certainly is one of the most outstanding albums of 2013.
The mere fact that Hamerex are multi-talented changing instruments and swapping vocals give them something more to work with in my opinion and they sure as hell have put a lot of thought and ideas into making this album spectacular!
The mere fact that Hamerex are multi-talented changing instruments and swapping vocals give them something more to work with in my opinion and they sure as hell have put a lot of thought and ideas into making this album spectacular!
As I actually
got to hear the album quite early on and did a review for three of the tracks
which I was not allowed to publish at the time and gave them 9/10 – but on
hearing the whole album, feel that a ten is much more deserved.
Hamerex have well and truly upped their game with this superb album and it makes me wonder just where they will go with the next one!
Hamerex have well and truly upped their game with this superb album and it makes me wonder just where they will go with the next one!
On the 19th
October Hamerex are teaming up with Kaine and Promethium at The Snooty Fox – not long to wait now! - So this should
be one hell of a gig.
10/10
Track List:
IX Circles
The Life of Death
Inferno
Edge of Madness
The Extremist
Mortuary
The Stranger
Descent of Angels
The Night of Samhain
Still the Wall Remains
Members:
Chris Moules – Vocals
Steve Blower – Guitar/Synth/Backing
Vocals
Darren Kelsall – Drums
Andy Firth - Bass/Guitar
