Hexvesselin syvin olemus

Hexvessel, Nuclear Nightclub, 22. syyskuuta 2012.

Jos missasit Hexvesselin huhtikuussa Nukessa Sólstafirin lämppärinä, eipä hätää. Lauantaina bändi palaa Nuken lavalle, vieläpä hiljattain vallan mainion No Holier Temple -albumin julkaisseena. Tarjolla on siis ennenkuulematonta "metsäfolkia" niillekin, jotka huhtikuun keikalle aikautuivat.

Pahkin kysymyksiin vastaili Hexvesselin johtohahmo, engelsmanni Mat McNerney. Vastaukset jätettiin alkukielelle, sillä epäammattimainen suomennos tuskin olisi tehnyt oikeutta McNerney ajatuksille Hexvesselin syvimmästä olemuksesta. Siispä sanakirja avuksi ne, jotka lintsasivat koulussa englannin tunneilta.

The story behind Hexvessel. By whom, when, where and most importantly why?

Hexvessel is a psychedelic folk-rock band that was founded by Englishman Mat “Kvohst” McNerney, vocalist for blackmetal bands Dødheimsgard and Code. He moved to Finland in 2009 and was joined by a coven of musicians from Tampere that feature members of Galacticka and Dark Buddha Rising. Fusing late 1960s and early 1970s English folk and psychedelia with a love for Finnish nature, pagan mysticism, folklore and the occult, they play a witches brew of acoustic balladry and heavy tripped-out atmospherics. Interior-world-music for secret ceremonies and forest rituals.

I’m hearing strong 60’s and 70’s british influences in your music, but also a sense of darkness that might attract metal fans. Any truth in that?

Yes we are influenced heavily by 60s and 70s British psych rock. I am especially inspired by the Canterbury scene with bands like Gong, Comus, Caravan, Camel and Soft Machine. We play around with themes of darkness and light because I want to amplify the universe, which is all chaos and balance at the same time. There is a lot of darkness in the universe but that darkness is brilliantly illuminating. I think people who listen to metal music understand this completely.

What’s a hexvessel? Where does that band name come from?

It’s your vessel. It’s your channel and your radio receiver. What comes through on the ouija board is whatever you put into it. I also want it to be a sharing experience. I like the idea that it’s like an endless link or chain that you join and become one with. It’s like a seance or mass with an ever increasing congregation. Hexvessel isn’t a band, it’s a family and you can join. You can enter the circle and increase the power of prayer. I like to think that we’re all Hexvessels and we’re all capable of doing great magic.

Can you make a three piece list of record recommendations? If you love these, you will also love Hexvessel.

Jim Morrison - An American Prayer

Black Widow - Sacrifice

Hawkwind - Warrior on the Edge of Time

What kind of show can we expect at Nuke, now that you’re headlining?

Last time we were supporting Solstafir on a Sunday night at Nuke. Now we're playing a proper long set with lots of new material, some old songs that we didn't play on last tour, and maybe some surprises too.

The sound in No Holier Temple album is quite rich, with horns etc. What kind of ensemble are you touring with?

We're an octet - Mat on vocals and guitar, and The Seven Death Magicians take care of additional vocals, guitars, bass, drums, percussion, organs, samples, violin and trumpet.

Any plans of taking Hexvessel abroad?

Outside few gigs in Finland, we've been mainly playing abroad - from Lithuania to Romania, to Netherlands' Roadburn and Hungary. We're planning an European tour for next spring as well - will be interesting.

JANNE NYYSSÖNEN
pahki@kaleva.fi