2024 has given us one of the most solid USBM debuts in recent memory with RETRIBUTIONES MALEFICARUM MALLEI by the monstrous HEXEN HOUSE.
Released on the juggernaut label Transylvanian Recordings, RETRIBUTIONES MALEFICARUM MALLEI is an assault of pensive occult black metal that set its sight on the insane history of the Witch trials.
The sound is a unique mix of hauntingly depressive and vile as fuck with an honestly impressive ability to balance between the two sounds on display.
The opening track lays down the foundation for what this release is really all about, talking about the sociopolitical factors around the witch trials, a dark chapter in human history where religious power factions who either;
1) Wanted someone’s land,
2) Wanted more power or;
3) Just straight up wanted to see someone else suffer,
Were able to weaponize the (likely) ergotism fuelled hysteria that was spreading throughout Europe and Northern America for their own gain.
Throughout the 15th to 17th century during the Witch Trials many people were accused of heresy and witchcraft, a crime wherein any expression of innocence regularly meant the death of the accused*.
On ‘RETRIBUTIONES MALEFICARUM MALLEI’ Hexen House look at the history of the witch trials through a specific lens which probably doesn’t get spoken of enough as It speaks to the sheer Marquis De Sade level delight people can revel in when they get to punish someone they view as less than human.
Across this 5 track release the band puts these crimes against humanity on trial as they weave between intense blasts, sickening vocals, depressive forest vibes and discordant hellish guitarwork. Sprinkled with Judgement day bells and haunting ambience.
A shout out really has to be given to the guitar work on this album. Often it’s hard to find a balance between going too far down the technical route or death metal route but the way Hexen uses duelling leads on this album is top notch.
A great example is on the track, The Hag or Exhumed Tetrad. It isn’t afraid to drop some realass atonal death leadwork down, but it never feels distasteful or like it veers too far away from proper black territory.
In terms of the depressive side of this release, ,the final track buried names really hits hard. It shifts vibe for the first half to go full sad and slow and really nails the sadness and tragedy of what they’re talking about and then flips the script to go back into hellish insanity. Again the ability to have a song that can be so gorgeous for one half and so fucked up and evil for the other half and have the whole thing make sense is just wild levels of songwriting.
All in all this is a release that’ll haunt you long after the final bloodcurdling scream. If this is the debut for Hexen House then odds are this band is gonna drop some sick shit in the future so be sure to keep an eye on them.
Till then, if you’re a black metal fan, don’t snooze, check out RETRIBUTIONES MALEFICARUM MALLEI.
*(If you’re interested in this subject and want to hear more, Check out the book ‘Folk Devils and Moral Panics’ by Stanley Cohen or Ronald Huttons ‘The Witch, or if you’re pressed for time check out Esoterica’s Youtube channel for lectures on the subject of witchcraft, and the broader history of folklore and the occult’).
Engage with Discipline Mag
If you would like to engage with Discipline Mag, you can do so in the following ways:
- Visit the Discipline Mag Shop (ISSUE 1, T-SHIRTS AND MORE)
- Submit music for review
- Release announcement or music premiere
- Interview request
- Donate to Discipline Mag
- Write for Discipline Mag
To keep up-to-date with the latest from Discipline Mag, follow us on Instagram.
Support independent media to ensure the underground survives and thrives!
