THE BEAST

Hexenklad  (ft. members of SIG:AR:TYR, Eclipse Eternal, Pagan Ritual) has a new album  “Heathenheart”  coming out, one that will surely tantalize the ears of any metalhead who enjoys both harsh, raw black metal and the uplifting, catchy aspects of folk metal.

The next single off this record is about the ravens of Odin  “Huginn and Muninn”,  which the band is premiering its lyric video today via  Metal-Rules   HERE . 

Vocalist Timothy Voldemars Johnston explains the track further: 

“It’s got a good pace and rawness, yet the choruses bring it back to the Folk side. The lyrics are mostly written in Kenning and are about Odin’s ravens, about what they are, what they represent and why that matters. When I first heard the melodies, it made me think of flying over the world and looking down and seeing how everything was made small and how to the one looking down, everyone below would suddenly look like one folk, one people and that in order to be recognized in the mass’s, one’s deeds must indeed be great and worthy and like a beacon in the dark. There’s also a theme of what it would be like to lose one of the integral components of yourself that seeks out new experiences and knowledge and wisdom.”

The lyrical content on the album is varied, some of it is about the old gods in the old world and some of it plays into Johnston’s heathen beliefs. Regardless of the subject matter, the music itself is interesting and intense and flows well. Anyone who appreciates both folk and black metal and even just melodic metal will find something compelling in these songs.

“Hexenklad”  will surely surprise a lot of people, especially those already familiar with the band. For such an intense album it is also a very uplifting, meaningful record and that is a rare thing and much needed right now. According to the band, one of the beautiful things about having so many members is that they never go through a drought of ideas; songs can start as one person’s idea and by the end, they become a mix of everyone’s. They have lots more music brewing in our minds for the future. Easily enough for another album.

Hexenklad   is recommended for fans of Ensiferum, Insomnium and Windir.

“Heathenheart”  will be released on July 23, 2021 via  CDN Records .

Album pre-order available at  https://cdnrecords.com/ shop/hexenklad-heathenheart/  

Music Video -  “Heathenheart”  - &source=gmail&ust=1626211849532000&usg=AFQjCNEEU2zyZJhDep2hygQXU4cmKyQabg" rel="noopener">

Track Listing:
1. Heathenheart (5:02)
2. Cold Beauty of Winter (4:52)
3. Huginn and Muninn (4:14)
4. Dark Moon in Capricorn (5:13)
5. Rootbound (4:13)
6. The Raven Returns to the Knoll (4:33)
7. A Thousand Paths to Wisdom (4:26)
8. Olde Gods Awaken (5:53)
9. Beware the Outstretched Hand (5:21)
10. A Forest of Dead Trees (4:32)
11. Upon the Wings of Valkyries (7:03)
12. A Moment of Silence (1:00)
13. We Raise a Horn (4:07)
Album Length: 1:00:36

Album Credits:
Timothy Voldemars Johnston – Vocals, Lyrics
Michael Grund – Guitar. Bass on songs 4, 7, & 9
John Chalmers – Guitar. Bass on song 13
Andrew Chalmers – Drums & Percussion
Clare B. – Keyboards & Orchestrations  
Emmanuel “Audeath” Audet (Black Empire/Winterfog) – Bass on Songs 2, 5, 8, 10, & 11
Matt “Coldcuts” Collacott – Bass on songs 1, 3, & 6
Nick Sauter – (Treats for Addicts) Guitar Solo on song 7
Alex Chalmers – Clarinet on song 13

All songs by Hexenklad
Song 2 written by Jon Kal and Hexenklad  
Lyrics on songs 4 & 8 by Michael Grund
Recorded at Shiver Sound Studios by John Chalmers
Audeath’s Bass recorded at Black Amp Studio
Mixed at BWC Studios by Greg Dawson
Mastered at West West Side Music by Alan Douches
Cover art by Darek Zawiązalec of Black Forest Forge
CD Layout by Robo of Element 6 Custom  lmn6.ca
Photography by Vikki Kay Photography
Canadian Content (MAPL)

Live Band Line Up:
Timothy Voldemars Johnston – Vocals
John Chalmers – Guitar
Steve Bowen – Guitar
Matt “Coldcuts” Collacott – Bass
Andrew Chalmers – Drums