Hex A.d. - Surgical Cuts In The Cosmos

Surgical Cuts in the Cosmos is the seventh full length album by Norwegian/ British heavy hitters Hex A.D. - There’s an overall fresh feeling to this new record, and it oozes of the joy of making heavy music. There’s no big concept this time around and the songs stand on their own as individual pieces of music. Simpler, harder, dirtier, heavier! From the down-tuned and relentless riffage of the opening track “Reintroducing a bit of Heat” to the punky “A Bloody Mess” and further on to “P.I.G.” - one of the most epic tracks in the band’s entire catalogue, Surgical Cuts in the Cosmos shoves the Hex A.D. universe in the listeners faces like a well-placed jab by a muay Thai fighter. - The production is consciously less retro, and the whole band is pushing the sound further into a different kind of darkness. Rick took the reins from the start and had the overall vision for the project, as he put down the foundations with drums, rhythm guitars and vocals. Rowan then let his fingers rip and outdid himself again and again. His classic rock style makes sure that the vintage elements are well in place, and it is just what these songs need! Melodies and fiery fretwork! Mags has drawn inspiration from horror soundtracks and goes right to the edge with dissonant soundscapes and bluesy riffs as he paints one grotesque picture after another. Where is that rumbling depth coming from then, Are of course! His strings couldn’t deal with the heaviness of these songs, so he had to restring his bass with the bottom 4 strings of a 5-string set! He dug deeper than ever before and made his parts shine with pure attitude. While playing gigs for the band’s previous album, Matt and Rick found a love for playing two drumkits at the same time, and it works like an added clip around the ears throughout this record. - Hex A.D. shows new tendencies with Surgical Cuts in the Cosmos, and it’s easy to hear that they are in the shape of their lives! There are no signs of either wear or tear, just a band ready to rip the sky open and scream bloody murder! - Line-up: Rick Hagan - Drums, lead & rhythm guitars, bass pedals, all vocals  /  Are With Gogstad - Bass guitar, Mags Johansen - Hammond organ, mellotron, piano, keyboards  /  Matt Hagan - Drums, Rowan Robertson - Lead, rhythm & acoustic guitars - For fans of: Black Sabbath, Dio, Iron Maiden, Tygers of Pan Tang