Album Review: Hex A.D. - Funeral Tango for Gods & Men
Reviewed by Paul Hautchings
2018’s Netherworld Triumphant was my first encounter with the Norwegian outfit Hex A.D. Their combination of classic hard rock and psychedelic doom which twisted and turned worked its magic on me, although I admit I missed their fourth release, February 2020’s ‘Astro Tongue in the Electric Garden’. Luckily for me, album number five has arrived promptly, having been crafted and honed during the pandemic. No sitting learning to knit for guitarist and vocalist Rick Hagan, drummer and brother Matt, bassist Are Gogstad and master of mellotron, Hammond and keyboards Mags Johansen, who merely got their heads down and have created another album full of those huge riffs, rambling instrumental passages and haunting moments of calm that combine into one huge fuzz ball.
Hex A.D. have gone deeper and darker than in previous times on ‘Funeral Tango’. The crashing guitar work, heavy drums and bass all work and weave their way around the Hammond organ that dominates without overpowering. The double of ‘Got the Devil by The Tail’ and ‘One Day of Wrath, Another Gesture of Faith’, both over eight minutes in length provide the band the opportunity to slowly express themselves in style. The former a phenomenal musical work out that expands organically with Hagan’s stellar guitar work shining against the backdrop of Johansen’s keyboards. It ends abruptly mind, the track halting, the sound of a tape deck being opened and closed and the last minute and a half is played out in muffled TDK sound.
Elsewhere, there’s the beauty of the doom-laden intro to ‘Painting with Panic’, a raucous three-minute workout that allows the Hammond keys to take centre stage. The changes in style work well, and whilst the band retain their definitive sound, there’s enough changes to allow variation and interest to remain at max. ‘Hell Hath No Fury’ and ‘All the Rage’ both feature Rowan Robertson who adds some sublime guitar solos to tracks that are integral to the overall feel and vibe of this album.
Sonically massive, ‘Funeral Tango’ is another album that deserves wide attention. It maybe a little niche in comparison to mainstream bands but there is something devilishly delicious about the swirling mellotron and Hammond organ work that add layers of sound to an album already brimming with quality. 2021 may have a few more tricks up its sleeve yet, and this is one more to add to that essential listening list.
