Hevel
HEVEL RELEASE KICK-ASS SELF-TITLED LP
From London, Ontario, doom metal outfit Hevel recently released their self-titled album.
Hevel
Made up of Sam (drums), Mike (bass), and The Matts (guitars), I contacted the band to find out more about how they got together and, hopefully, some details about their gear. The guys in the band proved to be most accommodating.
Hevel’s genesis took place like this: “Matt 2 and Sam have been playing in bands together for two decades including DYER, Harsh Recoil, and a few unreleased projects. Matt 2 met Matt 1 at work and hit it off through their love of heavy music, sludge, and doom metal in particular. The idea was formed to create a doom metal band. Through the writing process, it turned out the band had no idea how to write doom and ended up creating some slower-paced instrumental music that could be mistaken as doom metal by an uninformed audience. Matt 1 knew Mike in a previous life and invited him to fill out the low end of the band, and it turned out he was a pretty normal guy, so we let him stay.
Hevel’s gear goes like this: Matt 2 utilizes an Epiphone Joe Bonamassa Korina Flying V, ESP Ltd Eclipse 1000 w/ Hot Rod Seymour Duncans, and Marshall DSL 40 Combo.
These guys lay it down, then wind it up, and then turn it loose with dynamic, thrumming gusto – formidable doom.
Matt 1 plays a Fender Player Jazzmaster, Godin Radiator, Orange Pedal Baby 100, Earthquaker Devices, and Mesa Boogie 2x12.
The album encompasses five-tracks, beginning with “Blood Bucket,” opening a grinding dark guitar, followed by the second guitar coming in just a tad higher, giving the music beaucoup oomph. I love Sam’s Jovian drums, flat and powerful, especially the snare, which is taut and extremely tight. The interweaving dual guitars infuse the tune with tasty layers of juxtaposed tones, edgy and strident.
Along with “Blood Bucket,” other personal faves on the album include “No History But Scars,” with its low-slung guitar intro flowing into a grandiose crunching snare, announcing the arrival of shadow-filled, growing guitars leading to first a blistering twofold section, followed by massively black dirty guitars riding Thor-like percussion.
“The Smell of Poison Blades” features an impressive double-bass-filled drum intro flowing into fulminating, searing, dread-laced licks, which then rockets off into a dazzling staccato-esque and imposing display of axe work.
Hevel has it going on! These guys lay it down, then wind it up, and then turn it loose with dynamic, thrumming gusto – formidable doom.
