Hexvessel

Finnish spellcasters Hexvessel, known for their forest-folk approach, weave occult-themed psychedelic pop with arcane pagan folk, drawing from a broad spectrum of touchstones such as Shirley Collins, Coil, Steeleye Span, Nick Cave, and King Crimson. Formed in 2009, the ensemble brought together vocalist Mat "Kvohst" McNerney, vocalist and percussionist Marja Konttinen, multi-instrumentalist and co-writer Kimmo Helén, guitarist Jesse Heikkinen, drummer and percussionist Jukka Rämänen, plus field recording specialist and ambiance master Antti Haapapuro. Already established as an extreme metal provocateur across his native England and the Norwegian black metal scene, McNerney also fronts the Finnish gothic pop outfit Grave Pleasures; seeking greater stability while sustaining creative drive, he settled in Finland, captivated by its deep runic history and pre-Christian heritage. Audiences first encountered the band’s wyrd folk through the 2011 release Dawnbearer, yet their 2012 sophomore album No Holier Temple truly lifted them from obscurity. Nominated for two Finnish Grammy Awards, the record was promoted through prominent shows with contemporaries Alcest and Sabbath Assembly, followed by an overseas debut at the 2013 South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. The group signed with Century Media in 2016 and issued the well-received When We Are Death, then returned in 2019 with All Tree, an alternately sinister and bucolic exploration of the ties between myth and nature.